TV series
One of Britain's master spies is working for the enemy. Can George Smiley beat him at his deadly game?
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.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy premiered September 10, 1979. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
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.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Retired espionage veteran George Smiley is called out on a top-secret mission: to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.
Directed by John IrvinWritten by Arthur HopcraftGuest stars Bernard Hepton, Ian Richardson, Hywel Bennett, Michael Aldridge, Ian Bannen, Terence Rigby, Alec Sabin, Alexander Knox
Episode 2
British agent Ricki Tarr, believed to have defected, resurfaces with sensational information: confirmation of a Russian mole in the Service.
Directed by John IrvinWritten by Arthur HopcraftGuest stars Hywel Bennett, Thorley Walters, Susan Kodicek, Hilary Minster, Pauline Letts, Stephen Earle, Frank Compton, Frank Moorey
Episode 3
The investigation begins, with Peter Guillam burgling the archives for information, while Smiley visits an old comrade whose past knowledge could prove vital to locating the spy.
Directed by John IrvinWritten by Arthur HopcraftGuest stars Bernard Hepton, Ian Richardson, Michael Aldridge, Terence Rigby, Beryl Reid, Alexander Knox, Frank Compton, Frank Moorey
Episode 4
While Guillam and Tarr come under pressure, Smiley recounts his one meeting with Soviet master spy Karla, who is undoubtedly running the mole inside MI6.
Directed by John IrvinWritten by Arthur HopcraftGuest stars Bernard Hepton, Ian Richardson, Hywel Bennett, Michael Aldridge, Terence Rigby, Alec Sabin, Beryl Reid, Patrick Stewart
Episode 5
Smiley calls on ex-Circus spy San Collins, who was the duty officer the night Jim Prideaux was shot. Collins confirms the events as Smiley understands them and that Prideaux's good friend Bill Hayden is the senior officer who took charge of the case after all hell broke loose. Smiley subsequently meets with Prideaux to get a firsthand account of the events during the disastrous Operation Testify in Czechoslovakia.
Directed by John IrvinWritten by Arthur HopcraftGuest stars Bernard Hepton, Ian Richardson, Michael Aldridge, Ian Bannen, Terence Rigby, Beryl Reid, Alexander Knox, Duncan Jones
Episode 6
Smiley confronts one of his suspects and gives him the results of his investigations, which could prove a considerable embarrassment to those concerned.
Directed by John IrvinWritten by Arthur HopcraftGuest stars Bernard Hepton, Hywel Bennett, Ian Bannen, Alec Sabin, Duncan Jones, Daniel Beecher, Joss Ackland, Guy Standeven
Episode 7
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.
Directed by John IrvinWritten by Arthur HopcraftGuest stars Bernard Hepton, Ian Richardson, Hywel Bennett, Michael Aldridge, Ian Bannen, Terence Rigby, Alec Sabin, Duncan Jones
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Alec GuinnessGeorge Smiley
Michael JaystonPeter Guillam
Anthony BateSir Oliver Lacon
George SewellMendel
Bernard HeptonToby Esterhase
Ian RichardsonBill Haydon
Hywel BennettRicki Tarr
Michael AldridgePercy Alleline
BBC TwoUnited Kingdom
BBCUnited Kingdom
Paramount PicturesUnited States
