What to expect from BBC's follow-up to The Night Manager

After the success of its spy novel adaptation The Night Manager, the BBC is returning to John le Carre's back catalogue with a take of the 1963 hit The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

The news follows a barnstorming night at the Golden Globes last week, when The Night Manager's stars Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Hugh Laurie all picked up awards for their performances.

So what can we expect from this new adaptation?

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What is it about?

Le Carre has never been one for a straightforward narrative and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is no different.

In the simplest terms, British agent Alec Leamas is sent to East Germany to spread disinformation about a powerful communist intelligence officer.

However, the influence of other players who come and go, along with the ever-changing perception of Leamas, leads to a rollercoaster of revelations and mystery.

The book's unique take on espionage was deemed revolutionary at the time of its publication in attempting to portray intelligence networks on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

Who will play Alex Leamas?

The cast is yet to be announced, but whoever plays Leamas has big shoes to fill. The 1965 film adaptation saw Welsh legend Richard Burton get an Academy Award for his performance.

His successor for the BBC series will also no doubt be hoping to repeat the Golden Globe-winning success of Hiddleston.

Who is behind the adaptation?

Not wishing to fix something that isn't broken, the BBC will again enlist digital production company The Ink Factory and AMC to help create the show after their success on The Night Manager.

Meanwhile, Slumdog Millionaire writer Simon Beaufoy has been commissioned to turn the book into a TV screenplay.

"Following the huge global success of The Night Manager, it's a privilege to announce that John Le Carre will return to BBC One with one of the best spy thrillers ever written," said Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama.

"Adapted by Simon Beaufoy, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is utterly timely in its evocation of the Cold War period and we are thrilled to be working with The Ink Factory and AMC again to bring this seminal novel to the screen for another unmissable drama series on BBC One."