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

Succession star lined up to play the famous spymaster in Legacy of Spies, a new small-screen adaptation that will draw on several of le Carré’s bestselling books

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.