RALF LITTLE is to play ‘ALEC LEAMAS’ in THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD.

The critically acclaimed production of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came In From The Cold will embark on a major UK tour, playing at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking from Tue 31 Mar until Sat 4 Apr.

Ralf Little will star as Alec Leamas with further casting to be announced.

A global best-seller for over six decades, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is the first novel by John le Carré to be adapted for the stage.

Award-winning writer David Eldridge adapts the novel that revolutionised the modern espionage genre with Jeremy Herrin directing alongside Tour Director Joe Lichtenstein.

Following its sold out premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre, the production is now playing its final weeks @sohoplace in London’s West End before embarking on the UK Tour with a new cast.

The Ink Factory and Second Half Productions have today announced lead casting for the extensive UK-wide tour of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Ralf Little (Death in Paradise, God of Carnage, The Royle Family) will play disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas in the Chichester Festival Theatre production, which plays at the New Victoria Theatre Woking from Tue 31 Mar until Sat 4 Apr.

Ralf Little 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.”

Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge (Festen, End) 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. Jeremy Herrin will direct (Grace Pervades, People, Places and Things and Long Day’s Journey into Night), alongside Tour Director Joe Lichtenstein.

Following its 2024 sold out premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold received its West End premiere @sohoplace in November 2025 and its final performance will be on  21 February 2026.

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, is designed by Max Jones with lighting design by Azusa Ono, sound design by Elizabeth Purnell, composition by Paul Englishby, and movement direction by Lucy Cullingford. General Management is by Second Half Productions with Melting Pot as Executive Producer for the UK Tour.

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-spy-who-came-in-from-the-cold/new-victoria-theatre/