Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a six-part British television miniseries, adapted from the John le Carré novel of the same name. The series originally aired on BBC2 in 1979 and was directed by John Irvin.
The series stars Alec Guinness as George Smiley, a retired intelligence officer who is brought back to service to uncover a Soviet mole within the ranks of a British MI6-like agency called "the Circus." Smiley works to uncover the identity of the mole, while also navigating conflicting loyalties and political power struggles within the agency.
The series features a star-studded cast, including Ian Richardson as Bill Haydon, who Smiley suspects of being the mole, and Michael Jayston as Peter Guillam, Smiley's loyal colleague. The series is known for its atmospheric depiction of Cold War espionage and thoughtful, understated performances from its actors.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has been praised for its emphasis on character and nuance over action and gadgetry, as well as its nuanced critiques of Cold War politics and intelligence operations. The series has been widely regarded as a classic of British television, and has influenced subsequent spy dramas like The Americans and Homeland.