Spooks legend returns to spy genre with all-new BBC thriller series based on classic novel

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Just before the premiere of the second season of The Night Manager, the BBC and MGM+ have partnered with The InkFactory to create a new series based on the works of John le Carré, titled Legacy of Spies.

The upcoming eight-episode series is a collaboration between Amusement Park Film, 127 Wall Productions, and Paramount Television Studios. It’s being written by Stephen Cornwell, son of John le Carré (known for his work on ‘Message from the King’), and Clarissa Ingram.

This adaptation will be based on John le Carré’s novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, and will also incorporate elements from his book, A Legacy of Spies.

Matthew Macfadyen, known for his roles in shows like Spooks and Succession, will star as the famous spy George Smiley. He’s following in the footsteps of other acclaimed actors who have played the character, including Alec Guinness, Simon Russell Beale, and Gary Oldman.

The series will also feature Charlie Hunnam, known for his role in ‘Monster,’ as Alec Leamas. Daniel Brühl, who starred in ‘All Quiet on the Western Front,’ will play Jens Fielder, and Devrim Lingnau Islamoğlu, from ‘The Empress,’ will portray Doris Quinz, also known as Agent Tulip.

The series follows George Smiley’s lifelong pursuit of his rival, the Russian spy Karla, throughout the Cold War. The story starts shortly after the Berlin Wall was built, with a scene of Alec Leamas witnessing one of his agents being killed by East German guards.

For Leamas, a seasoned British intelligence officer stationed in Berlin, the Cold War feels like it’s winding down. Facing either retirement or a dull office assignment, his boss, known as Control, presents him with an unusual chance to get even with those who have wronged him.

Leamas pretends to be a disillusioned former spy to lure Mundt, a high-ranking East German intelligence officer, into a trap, using himself as the bait.

“In the background is George Smiley, ready to make the game play out just as Control wants.”

As a huge fan of le Carré, I was really excited to hear from Simon and Stephen Cornwell at The Ink Factory about their new project. They described it as the most ambitious adaptation of their father’s work yet, and that’s saying something! They’re really diving deep into the life of George Smiley, that incredibly complex and brilliant spy, and exploring how the world he inhabited shaped the one we know today. It sounds like they’re using this new format to really paint a full picture of his story.

Casting Matthew as this complex character – someone who is both strong and fragile, and a skilled strategist – alongside the incredibly talented Charlie and Devrim, is a fantastic achievement.

We’re delighted the series will air on BBC and MGM+, and excited to work with Malte and the Amusement Park team. Graham’s experience and creative vision have been invaluable in guiding this project, especially given his and le Carré’s shared expertise in this genre.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, described the upcoming series Legacy of Spies as a long-held ambition to adapt a le Carré story, praising the work of Stephen Cornwell and Clarissa Ingram. She expressed excitement about The Ink Factory – known for their expertise in spy thrillers – producing the series, which features a talented cast including Matthew, Charlie, Devrim, and Daniel. Salt promised BBC viewers a truly exceptional viewing experience.

Fans of The Night Manager will be pleased to know a second season is coming to screens on January 1st, 2026. This new season, like the show before it, is based on a novel by John le Carré and is produced by The Ink Factory. Le Carré’s work was previously adapted for television with The Little Drummer Girl, which aired on BBC One in 2018.

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2025-12-02 20:34