Hugh Laurie Joins John le Carré Series Legacy of Spies

Hugh Laurie has joined Legacy of Spies, an eight-part John le Carré adaptation that positions itself as a deliberate anti-James Bond. Drawn from The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and A Legacy of Spies, the series brings spymaster George Smiley back to the screen with Matthew Macfadyen in the role.

The supporting cast includes Charlie Hunnam as Alec Leamas, Daniel Brühl as Stasi strategist Jens Fiedler, Dan Stevens as Circus insider Bill Haydon, Felix Kammerer as enforcer Hans-Dieter Mundt, and Agnes O'Casey as Liz Gold. Laurie has taken a mystery role that is being kept under wraps, and filming is underway.

Michael Lennox serves as lead director and executive producer, joined by a production team that features Graham Yost and Malte Grunert. Rather than gadgets and clean exits, the show leans into the grubby moral arithmetic of Cold War Berlin. Laurie returns to le Carré material after playing Roper in The Night Manager, where he also serves as an executive producer and a further season is in the works.

Germany, Berlin

hugh laurie, le carré, george smiley, matthew macfadyen, charlie hunnam, daniel brühl, dan stevens, felix kammerer, cold war, night manager