Ralf Little coming in from the cold for spy thriller

Ralf Little will play spy Alec Leamas in the touring stage production of John le Carre's novel The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Pic: Michael Wharley

The Royle Family's Ralf Little will play disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas in the UK tour of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, which has northern dates at the Sheffield Lyceum (May 5-9); Liverpool Playhouse (May 12-16); York Grand Opera House (June 9-13); Newcastle Theatre Royal (July 7-11) and the Lowry, Salford (July 22-25).

Olivier Award nominated Ralf Little - best known for BAFTA-winning comedy The Royle Family with Caroline Aherne - last played a detective in the BBC’s Death in Paradise, which reached its highest audience during his tenure. He is set to reunite with his Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps cast-mate, Will Mellor, for factual series Will & Ralf Should Know Better on TV channel U this year.

Ralf said: "I first read The Spy Who Came in From the Cold when I was 16e. Reading David Eldridge's script, I found myself drawn into the story's unexpected twists and turns and its high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse between East and West, which David has

captured so thrillingly."

British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is weary, hardened, and 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 - one of TIME Magazine’s All-Time 100 Novels - The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is steeped in Cold War espionage, deception and moral compromise.

This is award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge's first adaptation of a novel by le Carre; following its 2024, sold out premiere at the Chichester Festival Theatre, the adaptation had its West End premiere last November, and will run there until February before the tour.

More info and tickets here