Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
“One of Britain's master spies is working for the enemy. Can George Smiley beat him at his deadly game?”
Series Overview
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a seven-part BBC2 spy drama written by Arthur Hopcraft, adapted from John le Carré's eponymous 1974 novel. The serial, which stars Alec Guinness, Alexander Knox, Ian Richardson, Michael Jayston, Bernard Hepton, Anthony Bate, Ian Bannen, George Sewell and Michael Aldridge, was broadcast from 10 September to 22 October 1979. George Smiley, the ageing master spy of the Cold War and once heir-apparent to Control, is brought back out of retirement to flush out a top level mole within the Circus. Smiley must travel back through his life and murky workings of the Circus to unravel the net spun by his nemesis Karla 'The Sandman' of the KGB and reveal the identity of the mole before he disappears.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
1 Season • 7 Episodes
50 min per episode
1979 – 1979
Premiered: Mon, Sep 10, 1979
John Irvin
John le CarréLatest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 7: “Flushing Out the Mole”
Smiley springs his trap and catches the mole, who confesses how and why it happened, and the answers ultimately rob Smiley of any sense of victory.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy trailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2012-06-27
Cast & Creators
Explore Star Directory →
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
John Irvin, John le Carré
John le Carré, Betty Willingale
Geoffrey Burgon
Tony Pierce-Roberts
Chris Wimble, Clare Douglas
Jonathan Powell
Department Leadership Roster
Tony Pierce-Roberts
Director of Photography
Chris Wimble
Editor
Clare Douglas
Editor
Austen Spriggs
Production Design
Joyce Mortlock
Costume Design
Jonathan Powell
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
12: Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
International Certification Matrix
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy about?
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a seven-part BBC2 spy drama written by Arthur Hopcraft, adapted from John le Carré's eponymous 1974 novel. The serial, which stars Alec Guinness, Alexander Knox, Ian Richardson, Michael Jayston, Bernard Hepton, Anthony Bate, Ian Bannen, George Sewell and Michael Aldridge, was broadcast from 10 September to 22 October 1979. George Smiley, the ageing master spy of the Cold War and once heir-apparent to Control, is brought back out of retirement to flush out a top level mole within the Circus. Smiley must travel back through his life and murky workings of the Circus to unravel the net spun by his nemesis Karla 'The Sandman' of the KGB and reveal the identity of the mole before he disappears.
How many seasons does Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy have?
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy comprises 1 season available to explore.
Who stars in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?
Key cast members in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy include Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate, George Sewell.
Who created or directed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was developed and directed by John Irvin, John le Carré.