Classic Serial: Smiley's People

Smiley's People - Classic Serial

Simon Russell Beale stars as the intelligence officer George Smiley in a three-part dramatisation by Robert Forrest of John le Carré's classic novel, first published in 1979 and the third in the celebrated Karla Trilogy following Tinker, Tailor, Solder, Spy and The Honourable Schoolboy.

Review From The radio Times

The final novel of John le Carre's Karla Trilogy opens with George Smiley feeling that he's outlived his usefulness. It's three years since he left "the Circus" and his era has long since been swept aside by a new Whitehall regime. But when a high-ranking officer in the Soviet army who defected to work for British Intelligence is found shot dead on Hampstead Heath, Smiley once again becomes a part of present-day matters of espionage. Episode one deals mainly with the early hours of the former spymaster's investigation into his old colleague's death. As ever, Anna Chancellor is put to good use as Smiley's wife Ann, who intrudes into her husband's internal monologue and emphasises the theme of personal and professional betrayal that recurs throughout these excellent dramatisations.

– David Brown

1/3 At the end of 'The Honourable Schoolboy', in the mid-1970s, as a ruthless new broom swept through the secret corridors of Whitehall, spymaster George Smiley quietly left the Circus and vanished into private life. But a year or two later, when a veteran Russian emigre general is found dead on Hampstead Heath, Smiley is called out of retirement to exorcise some Cold War ghosts from his clandestine past. What follows is Smiley the human being at his most vulnerable, and Smiley the case officer at his most brilliant; and it takes to a thrilling conclusion his career-long, serpentine battle with the enigmatic and ruthless Russian spymaster Karla.

Ann Smiley …………………………… Anna Chancellor
Oliver Lacon …………………………… Alex Jennings
Chief Superintendant ………………… Stephen Critchlow
Lauder Strickland …………………….. David Bannerman
Mikhel ………………………………… Nigel Anthony
Mostyn …………………………………. David Seddon
Old woman ………………………………. Joanna Monro
Postman …………………………….. Michael Shelford
Girl ………………………………… Keely Beresford
Stella ……………………………….. Alison Pettitt
William ………………………………… Piers Wehner

Smiley's People is dramatised by Robert Forrest.
Producer Patrick Rayner

2/3 Smiley has glimpsed the possibility of bringing down his life-long Russian adversary Karla. He turns to former colleagues in the Circus for vital information before taking off alone into hostile territory.

Ann Smiley …………………………… Anna Chancellor
Oliver Lacon …………………………… Alex Jennings
Ostrakova …………………………….. Lindsay Duncan
Connie Sachs ……………………………. Maggie Steed
Toby Esterhase ……………………………… Sam Dale
Hilary ……………………………….. Alison Pettitt
Claus Kretzschmar …………………….. Bruce Alexander
Frau Kretzschmar ………………………… Joanna Monro
Girl ………………………………… Keely Beresford
Walther ………………………………. Nigel Hastings

Producer Patrick Rayner

3/3 Smiley is ready to spring the trap on his life-long Russian adversary Karla. With Toby Esterhase watching his back, he now moves the operation to Berne in Switzerland. But can he be certain he's the hunter, not the hunted?

Ann …………………………………. Anna Chancellor
Ostrakova …………………………….. Lindsay Duncan
Peter Guillam ………………………… Richard Dillane
Saul Enderby …………………………. James Laurenson
Inspector Mendel ……………………… Kenneth Cranham
Toby Esterhase ……………………………… Sam Dale
Grigoriev ………………………………. Finlay Welsh
Night Registrar/Sister …………………… Joanna Monro
Karla ……………………………………. Philip Fox
Tatiana ………………………………. Alison Pettitt

Producer Patrick Rayner