David Farnor | On 24, Feb 2022

ITV will be opening The Ipcress File this March, and a new trailer gives us a first look at the broadcaster’s take on the classic spy thriller.

The Ipcress File was Len Deighton’s first spy novel introducing the iconic British spy Harry Palmer and set against the backdrop of Cold War Europe. To date the novel has sold 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published in 1962 and was notably adapted into a feature film starring Michael Caine. The series will see Joe Cole (Gangs of London, Peaky Blinders) take on the iconic role of Harry Palmer alongside Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody, Murder on the Orient Express) and Tom Hollander (The Night Manager, Birdbox).

Adapted by John Hodge (Trainspotting, T2 Trainspotting) the thriller is set in Berlin and London during the 1960s, with James Watkins (McMafia, Black Mirror, The Woman In Black) directing each of the hour-long episodes.

The series will air on ITV this March, with an exact date yet to be confirmed. Here’s the trailer:

 

ITV commissions The Ipcress File series

19th December 2020

ITV has commissioned a six-part spy thriller based on The Ipcress File.

The Ipcress File was Len Deighton’s first spy novel introducing the iconic British spy Harry Palmer and set against the backdrop of Cold War Europe. To date the novel has sold 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published in 1962 and was notably adapted into a feature film starring Michael Caine. Now, it’s being turned into a TV series starring Joe Cole (Gangs of London, Peaky Blinders) in the iconic role of Harry Palmer alongside Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody, Murder on the Orient Express) and Tom Hollander (The Night Manager, Birdbox).

Adapted by John Hodge (Trainspotting, T2 Trainspotting) the thriller is set in Berlin and London during the 1960s, with James Watkins (McMafia, Black Mirror, The Woman In Black) directing each of the hour-long episodes.

The series marks the first major production for Altitude Television, part of the larger Altitude independent British media group behind notable releases such as Amy, Moonlight, Diego Maradona, Calm With Horses, Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, and Rocks.

The Ipcress File will be executive produced by Will Clarke (Filth) and Andy Mayson (Ghost Stories) for Altitude Television, Andrew Eaton (The Crown) for Turbine, Sandy Lieberson (Performance), James Watkins and Hilary and Steven Saltzman. The series will be produced by Paul Ritchie (McMafia, Slumdog Millionaire).

ITV Studios are providing significant financing, with other co-financiers comprising of the Liverpool Film Office, Lipsync, Filmgate and the Finnish National and Regional Funds, with Cofiloisirs Bank cashflowing. Reno Antoniades at Lee & Thompson will be handling legal.

Watkins commented: “We can’t wait to bring Len Deighton’s intoxicating web of spies – sexier than Smiley’s people, more real than Bond – to a wider television audience. With his sly wit and understated integrity clashing against the establishment, working-class spy Harry Palmer is more relevant than ever.”

The Ipcress File will be filmed on location in Liverpool and Croatia during 2021.

Add to Watchlist