Matthew Macfadyen has been cast as George Smiley in a new TV series based on the novels of John le Carré that will be produced by the late author’s sons. Various trade publications including Variety and Deadline reported on Thursday that the 50-year-old Succession star will play le Carré’s most famous spook in a TV show called Legacy of Spies, which will draw on storylines from several novels, including The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Honourable Schoolboy. Le Carré’s bestselling novels were inspired by the author’s own experience of working for British intelligence in the 1950s and 60s.
Some unpublished work by le Carré – the pen name of David Cornwell, who died aged 89 in 2020 – will also be used in the show, Variety reported . Legacy of Spies – drawing on the title of the final Smiley novel, A Legacy of Spies – will be produced by The Ink Factory , a production company founded by two of le Carré’s four sons, Stephen and Simon Cornwell. The Cornwells also produced the award-winning adaptation of his novel The Night Manager, and are currently working on two sequel series to the hit show.
Related: The don of disillusionment: John le Carré on film If Legacy of Spies goes ahead, Macfadyen – known for his performances as Tom Wambsgans in Succession and Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice – will join hallowed ranks: Gary Oldman, Rupert Davies, Alec Guinness and Denholm Elliott have all portrayed Smiley on screen. A.
