Ralf Little stars in The Spy Who Came in from the Cold at Lowry, Salford this July

A global best-seller for over six decades, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is the first novel by John le Carré to be adapted for the stage.

Ralf Little (Death in Paradise, God of Carnage, The Royle Family) stars as disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas with Gráinne Dromgoole (By Royal Appointment, The Merchant of Venice 1936) as the idealistic, left-wing librarian Liz Gold. Tony Turner (Dear England, The Archers) plays George Smiley with Nicholas Murchie (Present Laughter, Say Nothing)as Control and Peter Losasso (Emma, The Comedy of Errors)as Hans-Dieter Mundt.

Completing the cast are Eddie Toll (A Thousand Blows, We Were The Lucky Ones) as Fielder, Melody Chikakane Brown (Life of Pi, Redlands) as Miss Crail/President of the Tribunal, Jeff D’Sangalang (untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play, Shut Up, Im Dreaming) as Ashe, Jonny Burman (EastEnders, One Under Par) as Riemeck/Kiever, Jo Servi (Barber Shop Chronicles, Witness for the Prosecution) as Pitt/Ford and Clara Wessely (Pericles) and James Burman (Romeo & Juliet) as part of the ensemble.

Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge (Festen, End) this is the first novel by le Carré – the undisputed master of the modern spy genre, whose works include Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Night Manager– to be brought to life on stage. Jeremy Herrin will direct (Guess How Much I Love You, Grace Pervades, and People, Places and Things), alongside Tour Director Joe Lichtenstein.

Following its 2024 sold out premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre The Spy Who Came in from the Cold received its West End premiere @sohoplace in November 2025. The roles of Alec Leamas and Liz Gold, were originated by Rory Keenan and Agnes O’Casey. John Ramm originated the role of Smiley, Gunnar Cauthery Hans-Dieter Mundt, Philip Arditti Fielder, Norma Atallah Miss Crail and President of the Tribunal, Matt Betteridge Riemeck and Kiever, Ian Drysdale Control, Tom Kanji Ashe and David Rubin Pitt and Ford.

British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is weary, hardened, and ready to come in from the cold. But when Control, the Chief of the Circus, presents one final mission — dangerous, deceptive, and deeply personal — Leamas agrees to stay in the game. Dispatched into enemy territory, he finds his convictions tested and his defences breached by Liz Gold, a quietly defiant librarian whose compassion threatens to thaw his frostbitten heart. And what of veteran spymaster George Smiley? What is his role in the operation?

A global bestseller for over six decades and named one of TIME Magazine’s All-Time 100 Novels, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is le Carré at his most incisive — a story of betrayal not only between nations, but within the human soul.

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, is designed by Max Jones with lighting design by Azusa Ono, sound design by Elizabeth Purnell, composition by Paul Englishby, and movement direction by Lucy Cullingford. Casting by Matilda James CDG. General Management is by Second Half Productions with Melting Pot as Executive Producer for the UK Tour.

The Chichester Festival Theatre production of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, is produced by The Ink Factory and Second Half Productions.

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold plays at Lowry, Salford Wednesday 22nd to Saturday 25th July 2026. Tickets are available here.