Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

One of Britain's master spies is working for the enemy. Can George Smiley beat him at his deadly game?

Limited Series 1979 · 7 eps · ★ 7.6 · War & Politics, Drama, Mystery

Ended

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a seven-part BBC2 spy drama written by Arthur Hopcraft, adapted from John le Carré's eponymous 1974 novel. The serial, which stars Alec Guinness, Alexander Knox, Ian Richardson, Michael Jayston, Bernard Hepton, Anthony Bate, Ian Bannen, George Sewell and Michael Aldridge, was broadcast from 10 September to 22 October 1979. George Smiley, the ageing master spy of the Cold War and once heir-apparent to Control, is brought back out of retirement to flush out a top level mole within the Circus. Smiley must travel back through his life and murky workings of the Circus to unravel the net spun by his nemesis Karla 'The Sandman' of the KGB and reveal the identity of the mole before he disappears.

Created by John Irvin, John le Carré

Network: BBC Two

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Cast

Alec Guinness George Smiley
Michael Jayston Peter Guillam
Anthony Bate Sir Oliver Lacon
George Sewell Mendel
Bernard Hepton Toby Esterhase
Robert MacNeil Self – Host (uncredited)
Ian Richardson Bill Haydon
Hywel Bennett Ricki Tarr
Michael Aldridge Percy Alleline
Terence Rigby Roy Bland
Ian Bannen Jim Prideaux
Alec Sabin Fawn

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