TV series
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
1979, English, on BBC Two. Created by John Irvin & John le Carré.
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.
- Seasons
- 1
- Episodes
- 7
- Episode length
- 50 min
- Status
- Ended in 1979
Worth the Hype
Clear your evening for this.
7.6/10 from 131 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy isn’t listed on any OTT platform in India yet.
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Latest episode
S1 E7: Flushing Out the Mole
Aired 22 October 1979
Seasons 1
Cast & crew
- John IrvinCreator
- John le CarréCreator
- Alec GuinnessGeorge Smiley · 7 ep
- Michael JaystonPeter Guillam · 7 ep
- Anthony BateSir Oliver Lacon · 7 ep
- George SewellMendel · 7 ep
- Bernard HeptonToby Esterhase · 6 ep
- Robert MacNeilSelf – Host (uncredited) · 6 ep
- Ian RichardsonBill Haydon · 5 ep
- Hywel BennettRicki Tarr · 5 ep
- Michael AldridgePercy Alleline · 5 ep
- Terence RigbyRoy Bland · 5 ep
- Ian BannenJim Prideaux · 4 ep
- Alec SabinFawn · 4 ep
Details
- First aired
- 10 September 1979
- Last aired
- 22 October 1979
- Network
- BBC Two
- Language
- English
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Type
- Miniseries
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
What Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is based on
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is based on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, a 1974 novel by John le Carré.
Novel · 1974
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
By John le Carré
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: quick answers
Is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy worth watching?
Our verdict is Worth the Hype: Clear your evening for this. It scores 7.6/10 from 131 TMDB viewer ratings.
How many seasons of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy are there?
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has 1 season and 7 episodes, about 50 minutes each.
Is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy finished?
Yes. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ended in 1979, so you can watch the whole story.
Which OTT platform is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on?
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy isn’t listed on any OTT platform in India yet. (Checked 9 November 2026.)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy yet.
What shows are like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?
If you liked Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, try Foyle's War, Smiley's People, Restless.
Who created Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was created by John Irvin and John le Carré and stars Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate.
What is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy based on?
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is based on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, a 1974 novel by John le Carré.