A BBC spy thriller series which first aired nearly four decades ago has been rediscovered as a hidden ‘masterpiece’ by viewers.
A Perfect Spy, which was adapted from John Le Carré’s 1986 novel of the same name, follows MI6 operative Magnus Pym’s (Peter Egan) eventual disappearance as a suspected agent of the Czech secret service.
Nominated for an Emmy and Bafta, the seven-part series has raced up the BBC iPlayer rankings following the release of the second season of The Night Manager, which is also based on one of Le Carré’s novels.
Charting the journey of Pym from his schooldays into a career of working in the intelligence services, the spy weaves his way through the complicated world of espionage.
But despite it first being aired on BBC2 in 1987, fans have raved about the show’s ‘perfect’ adaptation, as Ian wrote on IMDb: ‘A Masterpiece of storytelling and acting.
‘Without doubt the best of the novels of John Le Carre, exquisitely transformed into a classic film.’
Victoria similarly called it ‘perfection’, while arguing that it is Egan’s ‘finest ever role’.
Taking to Facebook, Mike McGowan called it a ‘brilliant series’, as James Dunn wrote: One of the best spy series ever.’
Throughout the series, A Perfect Spy explores Pym’s life as a double agent, including his childhood with his con-man father, his early years at school, his encounters with friend and Czech spy Axel and his final downfall.
Boasting Ray McAnally, Rüdiger Weigang and Alan Howard alongside Egan,the story is reportedly a semi-autobiographical work of Le Carré’s life.
Directed by Peter Smith and scripted by Arthur Hopcraft with contributions from Le Carré himself, the series has been noted for its nuanced portrayal of the moral ambiguities of espionage.
It has also regularly been critically regarded as one of the finest adaptations of Le Carré’s work, following earlier successes like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Despite A Perfect Spy’s rising popularity, The Night Manager has continued to keep audiences in a chokehold since the release of its newest season.
Following the release of its second episode, BBC viewers raved over the ‘sexiest scene of the decade’ starring Tom Hiddleston in a love triangle.
This came after the Loki actor recently opened up to Metro about Le Carré giving his blessing for a second season of the programme before his death.
The 44-year-old said: ‘I told everyone involved, David Farr, our screenwriter, our producers, our director… I said, it’s 10 years later. I’m 10 years older. A few more scars on the inside.
‘A few more scars on the outside. Let’s lean into it. Let’s embrace it.’
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