Upcoming BBC spy thriller Legacy of Spies has announced a spate of big new castings. The series is based on author John Le Carré's "espionage masterpiece" The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, and has previously confirmed names including Matthew Macfadyen as iconic spymaster George Smiley.
Among those revealed to be joining are The Night Manager's Hugh Laurie as Control, the "fiendish" head of The Circus and Smiley's "politically shrewd" and "morally fickle" boss, confirming reports that the actor had been cast.
Also on board are The Brutalist's Joe Alwyn as "charismatic Circus veteran and roguish scalp hunter" Jim Prideaux, who ruffles some feathers with his off-the-books detours, while We Are Lady Parts' Anjana Vasan is Connie Sachs, the "brilliantly sharp chief Moscow-gazer and queen of Research" at The Circus.
Related: Best streaming services
Ghosts' Charlotte Ritchie has been cast as Smiley's wife Ann, described as "quick-witted and emotionally complex", and Andor's Lee Ross plays Inspector Oliver Mendel, an ex-cop with "instincts and unswerving integrity" who is a close friend of Smiley.
The new castings are rounded up by Sherwood's Adam Hugill as Fawn, Mare of Easttown's James McArdle as Percy Alleline, 3 Body Problem's John Dagleish as Roy Bland, and Fargo's Goran Bogdan as Toby Esterhase.
What to Read Next
Previously announced cast members alongside Macfadyen include Queer as Folk's Charlie Hunnam as Alec Leamas, Marvel's Daniel Brühl as Jens Fielder, The Empress' Devrim Lingnau as Agent Tulip/Doris Quinz, and Legion's Dan Stevens as Bill Haydon.
Further stars include What It Feels Like for a Girl's Jake Dunn as Peter Guillam, All Quiet on the Western Front's Felix Kammerer as Hans-Dieter Mundt, The Bluff's Safia Oakley-Green as Molly Gibson, His Dark Materials' Ariyon Bakare as Cy Aflon, and Agnes O’Casey as Liz Gold.
Meanwhile, The Vampire Lestat's Claudia Llosa has also joined the production as lead director.
"To be reunited with Hugh Laurie and Joe Alwyn as Control and Prideaux is a remarkable privilege as we build out the world of the Circus," said executive producers and Le Carré's sons Stephen and Simon Cornwell.
"It’s wonderful to welcome Hugh into a new dimension of the le Carré universe alongside his brilliant portrayal of Richard Roper in The Night Manager, and we’re thrilled that Joe, who we first worked with on Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, is now joining us in this momentous undertaking as well.
"There is something profound about watching our father's universe brought to life by actors of this calibre, and it is extraordinary seeing the ensemble take flight. It’s everything we could have hoped for and more."
Legacy of Spies will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, a collector's edition exploring the royal family, is here! Buy The Royals in newsagents or online.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
