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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Entertainment
Sian Cain

Matthew Macfadyen to play George Smiley in new John le Carré TV show

Matthew Macfadyen, pictured at the Emmy awards in 2024 after winning outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for Succession. Macfadyen is lined up to play the British spymaster George Smiley in a new TV show based on John le Carré’s bestselling novels.
Matthew Macfadyen is to play the British spymaster George Smiley in a new TV show based on John le Carré’s novels and produced by the author’s sons. Photograph: Ashley Landis/AP

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.

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