David Farnor | On 16, Jan 2017

Hot on the heels of The Night Manager, The BBC is reuniting with AMC to adapt another John le Carre book for the screen: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

The novel is one of the most iconic spy stories of all time, topping the New York Times bestseller list for 32 weeks when it was released in 1963. Two years later, it was adapted into a film, starring Richard Burton. Who better to bring us another screen interpretation than the team who wowed audiences last year with The Night Manager?

The BBC and AMC co-production, starring Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie, won three Golden Globes last week, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series (Hiddleston), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series (Laurie), and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series (Olivia Colman). It also won two Emmys, including one for Best Director Susanne Bier.

At the weekend, AMC announced that the two broadcasters will again pair up with The Ink Factory for a limited series, which will be adapted by Slumdog Millionaire’s Simon Beaufoy.

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is set in 1962 during the height of the Cold War and only months after the building of the Berlin Wall. It follows Alex Leamas, a hard-working, hard-drinking British intelligence officer, whose East Berlin network is in tatters. His agents are either on the run or dead, victims of the ruthlessly efficient East German counter-intelligence officer Hans-Dieter Mundt. Leamas is recalled to London, where he’s offered a chance at revenge. But to get it, he may have to stay out in the cold a little longer.

“John le Carré is one of the master storytellers of our time, and to have the opportunity once again to put his page to our screen is an absolute privilege,” Joel Stillerman, president of original programming and development for AMC and SundanceTV, said. “Spy is a deep tale of intrigue in one of the most uncertain times in history.”

John le Carre said he was “very excited” by the project. “I have great confidence in the team,” he added.

Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama, also told the press: “Following the huge global success of The Night Manager, it’s a privilege to announce that John le Carre will return to BBC One with one of the best spy thrillers ever written.”

Need to catch up on The Night Manager? Click here to read our review and see where you can watch it online.

Photo: The Ink Factory / Mitch Jenkins

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