Death in Paradise icon confirmed for new John Le Carre role in UK tour
The new show will begin its UK tour in March.
Ralf Little has been confirmed to play the lead in a new stage adaptation of John Le Carre's The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, the 1963 spy thriller.
The story depicts Alec Leamas, a British intelligence officer, who is sent to East Germany during the Cold War as a faux defector to sow disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer.
Little, who is best known for Death in Paradise and The Royle Family, will now take on the role of Alec Leamas in the UK tour, which sees the first ever theatre production of any John Le Carre novel.
The show will have a 6-month run across 21 venues around the country, beginning on 12th March in Leicester and concluding at the end of August.
Speaking of taking on the new role, 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."
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While the rest of the cast is yet to be confirmed, the play is a collaboration between The Ink Factory and Second Half Productions. It was written by David Eldridge, whose credits include Festen and End, and directed by Jeremy Herrin directing alongside tour director Joe Lichtenstein.
Ralf Little began his career starring in TV comedy including the beloved shows Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. In 2020, he joined the cast of Death in Paradise as Detective Inspector Neville Parker before departing the BBC show in 2024.
He has previous theatre credits, including The Ladykillers, Dead Funny, and Presence, for which he received an Olivier Award nomination.
Buy The Spy Who Came in from the Cold tickets at ATG Tickets
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Authors
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
