In this episode of The le Carré Cast, I interview acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Shaun McKenna. Sean discusses his journey into writing, his collaboration process for bringing le Carré’s complex characters to life on BBC Radio 4, and the challenges of adapting intricate novels for audio. about his adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Looking Glass War while highlighting Shaun’s eclectic career, including his involvement in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ musical. Sean also shares insights on the enduring appeal of audio drama in the UK and his current and upcoming projects.

Our previous look at The Smiley Radio Dramas can be found here –

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

00:46 Meet Shaun McKenna: The Adaptation Maestro

02:37 Shaun’s Journey into Audio Drama

04:13 The Smiley Radio Dramas: A Deep Dive

06:13 Challenges and Triumphs in Adaptation

08:39 The Art of Radio Drama

16:06 Capturing the Essence of le Carré

23:56 The Joys and Challenges of Radio Drama

26:11 The Decline of Radio Drama in the UK

28:48 A Writer’s Journey: From Actor to Adaptation Specialist

33:12 The Legacy of John le Carré’s Smiley Series

38:56 Reviving The Lord of the Rings Musical

41:20 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

Shaun McKenna’s Website – ShaunMcKenna.me

The Lord of the Rings World Tour

The Lord of the Rings in Chicago

The Forsyte Saga

Homefront Radio Drama

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite