Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: Return to the Circus
10:10 pm - 11:00 pm, Tuesday, December 30 on BBC Four HD (106)
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About this Broadcast
Return to the Circus
Season 1, Episode 1
George Smiley's quiet retirement from the secret service is interrupted when he is asked to undertake an undercover assignment, and discovers all is not well at the Circus. It transpires that a highly influential mole has been operating for some time. Classic spy thriller, starring Alec Guinness
subtitles
General
Movie/Drama
Cast & Crew
Alec Guinness
(Actor)
.. George Smiley
Bernard Hepton
(Actor)
.. Toby Esterhase
Terence Rigby
(Actor)
.. Roy Bland
Michael Aldridge
(Actor)
.. Percy Alleline
Ian Richardson
(Actor)
.. Bill Haydon
Alexander Knox
(Actor)
.. Control
George Sewell
(Actor)
.. Insp Mendel
Ian Bannen
(Actor)
.. Jim Prideaux
Michael Jayston
(Actor)
.. Peter Guillam
Nigel Stock
(Actor)
.. Roddy Martindale
Anthony Bate
(Actor)
.. Oliver Lacon
Hywel Bennett
(Actor)
.. Ricki Tarr
Arthur Hopcraft
(Writer)
Jonathan Powell
(Producer)
John Irvin
(Director)
More Information
Did You Know..
Alec Guinness
(Actor)
.. George Smiley
Bernard Hepton
(Actor)
.. Toby Esterhase
Terence Rigby
(Actor)
.. Roy Bland
Michael Aldridge
(Actor)
.. Percy Alleline
Ian Richardson
(Actor)
.. Bill Haydon
Born:
April 07, 1934
in
Edinburgh
Best Known For:
His portrayal of Francis Urquhart, a Machiavellian political monster in BBC One's House of Cards and its sequels.
Early-life:
Born April 7, 1934, Richardson grew up on the outskirts of Edinburgh. His father, a strict Scottish Presbyterian, worked in a biscuit factory and was responsible for the first Jaffa Cakes. He studied at the College of Dramatic Art in Glasgow. First made a name for himself playing Hamlet at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1960.
Career:
Richardson made his TV debut in 1963 in an adaptation of As You Like It and spent the next 40 years appearing in such acclaimed productions as Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Porterhouse Blue, House of Cards and Murder Rooms. He quit the RSC in 1972 to 'change direction' but ended up spending a year on the dole. Has also enjoyed a lengthy film career with highlights including Brazil, The Fourth Protocol, and Cry Freedom. He also appeared in cult drama Dark City, 102 Dalmatians, and Johnny Depp thriller From Hell. He died in his sleep on February 9, 2007, at the age of 72.
Quote:
"You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment."
Trivia:
He was awarded a CBE in 1989.
Alexander Knox
(Actor)
.. Control
George Sewell
(Actor)
.. Insp Mendel
Ian Bannen
(Actor)
.. Jim Prideaux
Michael Jayston
(Actor)
.. Peter Guillam
Nigel Stock
(Actor)
.. Roddy Martindale
Anthony Bate
(Actor)
.. Oliver Lacon
Hywel Bennett
(Actor)
.. Ricki Tarr
Arthur Hopcraft
(Writer)
Jonathan Powell
(Producer)
John Irvin
(Director)
