Slow Horses fans rejoice - Christmas has come (very) early as another brilliant spy series is officially in the works! Legacy of Spies is the immensely clever new spy drama based on the works of novelist John Le Carré, which is set to make its way to our screens. And, with Succession star Matthew Macfadyen tipped to play le Carré’s legendary intelligence officer George Smiley, the news has got us a little bit excited.
The series is reportedly going to be an amalgamation of a number of le Carré’s novels, including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and The Honourable Schoolboy, as well some of his unpublished works. The author has an incredible collection of stories to draw from - so incredible, in fact, that the new series could even top our most beloved spy drama of all, Slow Horses (sorry Mick Herron!).
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming spy series...
What is Legacy of Spies about?
You may recognise the title of the series from John le Carré’s 2017 novel, A Legacy of Spies, which explored the fallout from the events depicted in The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. The series, however, isn't a straightforward adaptation, it's more clever than that.
Legacy of Spies will draw plot lines from several of le Carré’s novels including The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy, and The Honourable Schoolboy, as well as some unpublished materials, and other George Smiley-related published works, such as Smiley’s People.
As you might have now guessed, legendary spymaster George Smiley is set to be at the centre of the series, with Matthew Macfadyen in line to play him. According to Variety, Stephen Cornwell - one of le Carré’s sons - and Clarissa Ingram have written the initial scripts for the series, with Slow Horses’ Graham Yost serving as an executive producer.
Who is George Smiley?
George Smiley is a deceptively mild-mannered middle-aged career intelligence officer with “The Circus”. He first appeared in le Carré’s debut novel, Call for the Dead, published in 1961. He’s since appeared in eight further novels.
Smiley is short, overweight and balding, but behind his unobtrusive exterior is a masterful spy who’s highly respected by his subordinates and colleagues. His nemesis is the Soviet spymaster Karla, who he finally defeats in le Carré’s 1979 novel Smiley's People, blackmailing her into defecting to the West.
Who's starring in Legacy of Spies?
At the moment, Matthew Macfadyen - known for his role as Tom Wambsgans in Succession - is the only actor we know is being lined up to star in the series. According to Variety, Macfadyen is set to play George Smiley, following in the footsteps of Gary Oldman, Alec Guiness, Denholm Elliott and Rupert Davies, who have also played the spymaster. We'll share more cast news as soon as we have it.
How can I watch Legacy of Spies?
We don't yet have a release - or a broadcaster - for Legacy of Spies just yet, but given filming hasn't started and negotiations around the sale of the series are currently underway, we'd expect to have to wait until at least the end of 2025 for it to arrive on our screens. As soon as we have more details, we'll update you here.
