Cold War spy classic to star Death in Paradise favourite
Ralf Little will take the lead role in a classic John le Carré thriller coming to Leicester next month.
The Death in Paradise and Royle Family star will play disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas in a new production of The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.
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. It has been adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge
And Ralf is thrilled to be taking part. He said: "It is a huge privilege to be stepping into the shoes of one of John le Carré's great literary creations, Alec Leamas, as we bring the murky world of his Cold War masterpiece to life on stage.
"I first read The Spy Who Came in From the Cold when I was 16 and it has stayed with me ever since. Reading David Eldridge's brilliant script, I once again found myself drawn into the story's unexpected twists and turns, its high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse between East and West, which David has captured so thrillingly in the play.
"Despite being written in the ‘60s it feels startlingly relevant to the times we are living in now. I can't wait to share this story with audiences old and new as we take it to cities right across the UK."
The story tells how the weary and hardened intelligence officer Alec Leamas is ready to come in from the cold. But when spymaster George Smiley 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.
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 a journey through the fog-shrouded terrain of Cold War espionage, deception and moral compromise.
Olivier Award nominated British actor Ralf Little is known for various TV roles, including as Antony Royle in BBC’s Bafta winning comedy The Royle Family. In 2024, Ralf finished his run as lead detective of the BBC’s much loved Death in Paradise, which reached its highest audience during his tenure.
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold runs at the Curve from Thursday March 12 to Saturday March 14. Visit www.curveonline.co.uk or call 0116 242 3595 to book.