Matthew Macfadyen Leads Star-Studded Cast in New Le Carré Series

Matthew Macfadyen, Charlie Hunnam, and Daniel Brühl are set to star in a new adaptation of John le Carré’s works for the BBC and MGM+. The series, titled Legacy of Spies, is based on the acclaimed novel The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and will also incorporate elements from A Legacy of Spies. This eight-part drama will air on BBC One in the United Kingdom and MGM+ in the United States, marking a significant collaboration in the realm of television adaptations.

Two-time Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning actor Matthew Macfadyen will portray the iconic master-spy George Smiley. He will be joined by Charlie Hunnam, who plays British intelligence officer Alec Leamas, and Daniel Brühl, cast as East German spy Jens Fielder. Additionally, Devrim Lingnau Islamoğlu will take on the role of Doris Quinz, also known as Agent Tulip.

Plot and Production Details

The narrative of Legacy of Spies will follow George Smiley’s pursuit of his longstanding adversary, the Russian master-spy Karla, during the Cold War era. The series will be set across various locations, including the United Kingdom and what were then East and West Germany, as well as Czechoslovakia.

Originally published in 1963, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold quickly became a bestseller and remains one of le Carré’s most celebrated works. The project is being hailed by producers as “the most ambitious and all-encompassing adaptation of le Carré’s work to date.” According to Simon Cornwell and Stephen Cornwell, the founders and co-CEOs of The Ink Factory, the series promises to be a remarkable collaboration featuring some of the finest talents in the industry.

Key Collaborators and Expectations

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Legacy of Spies is a dream le Carré project adapted by the brilliant Stephen Cornwell and Clarissa Ingram.” She emphasized the excitement of featuring a cast that includes Matthew Macfadyen, Charlie Hunnam, Devrim Lingnau, and Daniel Brühl.

Michael Wright, the global head of MGM+, noted the significance of partnering with The Ink Factory and the BBC, describing the opportunity to tell the story of George Smiley as a “dream project.” He highlighted the series as a key component of MGM+’s vision to deliver classic storytelling to modern audiences.

Legacy of Spies is produced by The Ink Factory in co-production with Amusement Park Film, in association with 127 Wall Productions and Paramount Television Studios. The executive production team includes Stephen Cornwell (who also serves as showrunner), Graham Yost, and Simon Cornwell, among others. The BBC’s executive producers are Gaynor Holmes and Nick Lambon, while Nick Cornwell represents the John le Carré estate. Additionally, Sam Costin will serve as co-executive producer for The Ink Factory, and Fifth Season is responsible for global sales.

With a strong cast and a rich source material, Legacy of Spies is poised to captivate audiences when it debuts in March 2024.