Gary Oldman and Benedict Cumberbatch’s “riveting” spy thriller is a must-see on TV tonight

Don’t miss the excellent spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on BBC One tonight at 11:10 PM. If you miss it, it will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer for around 29 days.

The movie is based on John le Carré’s 1974 novel and tells the story of British spies during the Cold War. The team is shaken when they suspect one of their own is secretly working for the Soviet Union.

The film features a remarkably talented cast, with stars like Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Toby Jones, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Stephen Graham, Ciarán Hinds, and Kathy Burke.

The movie was the number one film in the UK for three weeks and also received the BAFTA Award for the best British film.

The film earned $81 million globally with a production budget of around $20 million. It also received three Academy Award nominations, including one for Gary Oldman as Best Actor.

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Rotten Tomatoes reports that 84% of critics gave the film a positive review, based on over 220 reviews.

According to the Irish Times, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a strong contender for the title of the greatest espionage film of all time.

Honestly, everyone in the cast was amazing, but Gary Oldman really stole the show as the ringleader. The way he played it – so controlled, yet almost completely still – reminded me of how incredible Alec Guinness was in that old miniseries. And the New Republic wasn’t kidding when they called it riveting – I was totally hooked!

According to a review in The Guardian, this film is a deeply atmospheric, thought-provoking, and stark adaptation of John le Carré’s Cold War spy novel. The reviewer found it more captivating than typical action movies, calling it a surprising and delightful experience.

Catch Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy tonight on BBC One at 11:10 PM. If you miss it, you can watch it later on BBC iPlayer. It’s also streaming on Studiocanal Presents, an extra channel you can add to your Prime Video subscription.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautiful, full-color 100-page tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.

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2026-04-13 14:20