Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Return to the Circus (S1EP1 BBC Two 10 Sep 1979, Ian Richardson)

Return to the Circus: George Smiley’s quiet retirement is interrupted when messengers arrive from London Station and call upon George Smiley to come back into the game. Smiley is brought to Sir Oliver and it is revealed that a highly influential mole has been operating out of the Circus for quite some time.

Regular Cast: Alec Guinness (George Smiley), Michael Jayston (Peter Guillam), Anthony Bate (Oliver Lacon)

Guest Cast: Bernard Hepton (Toby Esterhase), Terence Rigby (Roy Bland), Michael Aldridge (Percy Alleline), Ian Richardson (Bill Haydon), Alexander Knox (Control), George Sewell (Mendel), Ian Bannen (Jim Prideaux), Hywel Bennett (Ricki Tarr), Nigel Stock, Milos Kirek, Eugene Lipinski, Alec Sabin, Brian Hawksley

Writers: Arthur Hopcraft / Director: John Irvin

Airdate: 10 Sep 1979 on BBC Two Two

Series: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Season 1 Episode 1

Show Info: Six part spy drama serial. Ageing spy George Smiley is called out of retirement to track down a deadly double agent.

• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Tarr Tells His Story (S1EP2 BBC Two 17 Sep 1979, Hywel Bennett)

• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Smiley Tracks the Mole (S1EP3 BBC Two 24 Sep 1979, Beryl Reid)

• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: How It All Fits Together (S1EP4 BBC Two 1 Oct 1979, George Sewell)

• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Tinker Tailor (S1EP5 BBC Two 8 Oct 1979, Ian Bannen)

• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Smiley Sets a Trap (S1EP6 BBC Two 15 Oct 1979, Joss Ackland)

• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Flushing Out the Mole (S1EP7 BBC Two 22 Oct 1979, Michael Jayston)

• Smiley’s People: A Mother’s Assistance (S1EP1 BBC Two 20 Sep 1982, Ingrid Pitt)

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