The BBC has released a first look at its new eight-part drama Legacy of Spies, with filming now complete. Crews were in Liverpool city centre over the summer for the series, adapted from John le Carré's bestselling novel The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, an espionage story set against the backdrop of the Cold War.
First published in 1963, the novel became an instant global phenomenon, spending eight months at the top of The New York Times bestseller list. The new series brings le Carré's novel to the screen.
Cast and characters
Award-winning actor Matthew Macfadyen stars as George Smiley, alongside Charlie Hunnam, who plays his colleague and fellow British intelligence officer Alec Leamas. The series is set in the 1960s against the backdrop of the newly erected Berlin Wall, with Leamas considering retirement or a desk job during the Cold War.
The agent is then tasked with trapping the deputy director of the East German Intelligence Service, with Smiley working on the behind-the-scenes operations of Leamas' mission.
First images revealed
The BBC has revealed a first glimpse of Macfadyen wearing George Smiley's signature glasses and a black suit. The actor, best known for playing Mr. Darcy in the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice, is no stranger to espionage roles, having previously featured in spy drama Spooks and war film Operation Mincemeat.
A photo of Charlie Hunnam shows him wearing a dark, high-collared coat and a navy blue shirt as he takes on the role of the cynical Alec Leamas. The actor, known for Queer As Folk, The Gentlemen and Sons Of Anarchy, is pictured in front of a glowing neon sign while looking solemnly into the distance.
The series also features Call the Midwife actress Charlotte Ritchie and actor Hugh Laurie, known for his role in le Carré's screen adaptation of The Night Manager. Daniel Brühl, Dan Stevens and Agnes O'Casey will also appear alongside Devrim Lingnau Islamoglu, Jake Dunn, Anjana Vasan and Felix Kammerer.
Production and premiere
The series, produced by The Ink Factory and Amusement Park Film, consists of 60-minute-long episodes and will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Camera crews were spotted in Liverpool city centre last month, with several areas transformed into a 1960s film set. Vintage cars were parked on Old Hall Street, as well as outside St George's Hall.
