Ralf Little has opened up about his latest venture following his departure from Death in Paradise in 2024. The actor portrayed the endearing yet socially awkward DI Neville Parker in the BBC detective series for four years before choosing to exit, with Don Gilet assuming the role of DI Mervin Wilson. Now, he has exchanged screen work for theatre, joining the stage adaptation of John le Carré's novel, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.
From Saint Marie to the Stage
Speaking on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, Little discussed his portrayal of British intelligence operative Alec Leamas with presenters Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer. He explained: "There are no gadgets, no glamour, Le Carre's work, you can kind of feel his disdain for the entire spy game, and he was in the intelligence service like Ian Fleming was, John [inaudible] was."
Little elaborated on the setting and character: "My character, Alec Leamas, the Berlin Wall has just gone up, set in 1961. Alec is head of the Berlin station, spying on the communists in East Germany. One by one, every one of his agents, who he looks after, which are the closest things he's got to friends, because he can't have real friends, he can't be vulnerable because that can be exploited. One by one, they are discovered, captured and eliminated. He basically watches all his friends disappear and get killed."
A Grittier Turn
The actor revealed that the play begins when Leamas returns to London "emotionally exhausted, disillusioned, just ready to give it all up and is persuaded by the powers that be to go on one last mission, back to East Germany, back to try and capture his opposite number who is responsible for eliminating all his friends." Little noted that from that point, the story is packed with 'twists and turns', leaving audiences questioning who to trust, who to believe, and who is lying.
Little expressed his enjoyment of portraying Alec, having long harboured ambitions to tackle a darker role, while acknowledging the fortune he has enjoyed throughout his career. He said: "You always want to try and do something a bit different, I get it. I've been known over the years for playing affable, likeable characters. I understand why, and I'm delighted that I've been able to do that, but I've wanted to do something a bit grittier and grimier for a long time, and this has been my chance. Someone has taken a swing on me to do it."
Sunday Brunch is available to watch on Channel 4 every Sunday from 10am.
