Matthew Macfadyen Unveils George Smiley in BBC's 'Legacy of Spies'

Matthew Macfadyen is set to bring literary espionage to life in the BBC and MGM's eight-part drama Legacy of Spies. With the first-look image revealing him in the iconic glasses of George Smiley, the renowned spymaster created by John le Carre. and Mr Darcy in the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.

The eight-part drama marks the character's return to television after almost four decades. Alec Guinness played Smiley in the BBC Television serialisation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in 1979 and reprised the role for Smiley's People in 1982. The 2011 movie version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy featured Gary Oldman as Smiley.

Despite the acclaim, the movie could not become a franchise. However, Oldman went on to play a spy in another series, Apple TV's adaptation of Mick Herron's acclaimed novels.

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Legacy of Spies is one of the most highly-anticipated UK-US co-productions of the upcoming year and also stars Daniel Bruhl. Devrim Lingnau Islamoglu, Agnes O'Casey, Felix Kammerer, Dan Stevens, Jake Dunn, Anjana Vasan, Charlotte Ritchie and Joe Alwyn.

Hugh Laurie stars as Control, Smiley's morally-fickle superior in the series that adapts le Carre's novels The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy, A Legacy of Spies and other works.

John le Carré, widely regarded as one of the most influential post-war writers, succumbed to illness in 2020, bringing an end to a remarkable life spanning nearly nine decades. Prior to his literary success, the British author had a distinguished career in intelligence, working for MI5 and MI6 during the 1950s and 1960s.

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His literary output has been adapted into several notable films and television series. This includes the acclaimed 'The Night Manager' starring Tom Hiddleston, and 'The Constant Gardener', which starred Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz.

According to Matthew Macfadyen, Legacy of Spies is a that explores the complexities of espionage and the moral dilemmas faced by those in the field.

Legacy of Spies is set to premiere on [insert date] on BBC and MGM.