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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy poster

TV & SERIES

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)

Series · 1979 · 1 season · War & Politics · Drama · Mystery

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.

Created by John Irvin, John le Carré

Starring Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate, George Sewell

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When and where to watch in the United States

From TMDB release dates and JustWatch offers, as listed on 17 October 2026. Both change often; a missing date or offer means none is listed yet.

Series details

First aired10 September 1979
Latest episode22 October 1979
StatusEnded
Seasons1 (7 episodes)

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Where to watch in the United States

JustWatch lists no streaming, rental or purchase offers for the United States yet. That does not mean Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy cannot be watched there: offers are often added close to release.

Availability data by JustWatch via TMDB. Offers and catalogues change often.

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