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Matthew Macfadyen Transforms into Iconic Spy George Smiley for "Legacy of Spies"
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News18•29-09-2026, 14:00
Matthew Macfadyen Transforms into Iconic Spy George Smiley for "Legacy of Spies"
- •Matthew Macfadyen, known for "Succession," debuts as John le Carre's spymaster George Smiley in BBC and MGM+'s "Legacy of Spies."
- •The eight-part drama marks Smiley's return to television after nearly four decades, with Charlie Hunnam co-starring as Alec Leamas.
- •Hugh Laurie joins the cast as Control, Smiley's superior, in the series adapting several of le Carre's acclaimed novels.
- •The series is a highly anticipated UK-US co-production, featuring a star-studded cast including Daniel Bruhl, Dan Stevens, and Joe Alwyn.
- •John le Carre, a former MI5 and MI6 agent, is celebrated for his spy novels, many of which have been adapted for screen.
Key Questions Answered
Succession star Matthew Macfadyen plays the iconic John le Carre spymaster George Smiley in the upcoming eight-part drama Legacy of Spies.
Alec Guinness famously portrayed George Smiley in the 1979 BBC serialisation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and reprised the role in 1982, while Gary Oldman played the character in the 2011 film version.
Legacy of Spies adapts several works by John le Carre, including The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy, and A Legacy of Spies.
