London, The BBC and MGM ‘s “Legacy of Spies” has unveiled “Succession” star Matthew Macfadyen’s first look as John le Carre’s famous spymaster, George Smiley.
The eight-part drama marks the character’s return to television after almost four decades. Despite the acclaim, the movie could not become a franchise, but Oldman went on to play a spy in another series, Apple TV’s adaptation of Mick Herron’s acclaimed novels.
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.
He worked for MI5 and MI6 in the 1950s and 1960s, a career that he left to pursue writing.
Le Carre’s other famous novels that have been adapted for screen include “The Night Manager”, a successful television series starring Tom Hiddleston, and “The Constant Gardener”, a movie starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz.
