The BBC has unveiled its new adaptation of John le Carré’s work, featuring Matthew Macfadyen as George Smiley, the iconic spymaster created by the late author. The forthcoming series, titled *A Legacy of Spies*, draws on several of le Carré’s novels, including the 2017 book of the same name and the 1963 classic *The Spy Who Came in From the Cold*. The eight-part Cold War thriller recently completed filming in Prague and is scheduled to air in 2028.

Macfadyen, known for his previous role as MI5 officer Tom Quinn in the early seasons of the spy drama *Spooks*, described the prospect of portraying Smiley as “not a little daunted.” He emphasized the character’s qualities as “quiet, intelligent and deeply private,” highlighting the subtlety that distinguishes Smiley from other espionage figures. This marks Smiley’s first television appearance since the 1982 series *Smiley’s People*, which starred Sir Alec Guinness in the role. The character was also portrayed on the big screen by Gary Oldman in the 2011 film adaptation.

Joining Macfadyen is Charlie Hunnam, best known for his role in *Sons of Anarchy*, who will play Alec Leamas, the world-weary field operative central to *The Spy Who Came in From the Cold*. The 1965 film adaptation of that novel famously starred Richard Burton as Leamas alongside Rupert Davies as Smiley.

While le Carré himself was openly critical of much of the spy genre’s portrayal on screen—famously dismissing *Spooks*, a popular early 2000s British intelligence drama, as unrealistic and “stupid”—this new adaptation seeks to offer a more nuanced and faithful exploration of espionage during the Cold War era. Le Carré, a former intelligence officer, had often highlighted the complexities and moral ambiguities of spycraft, contrasting with the more sensationalized violence common in some spy dramas.

The upcoming series aims to capture this subtler blend of intrigue and psychological tension, reflecting le Carré’s legacy as one of the most influential writers in the espionage genre. With a cast blending established television talent and a renewed focus on character-driven storytelling, the project has attracted attention as a significant addition to the portrayal of Cold War espionage on screen.