In this episode, I talk with Scott and Cam of the SpyHards podcast about the first two episodes of THE NIGHT MANAGER season 2.

We talk about a season of THE NIGHT MANAGER that never happened due to le Carré’s view of a second season, whether we are happy how they are staking out new ground in the le Carré-verse and if the new characters are working.

Plus, our new villain Teddy, Pine’s PTSD and the Night Owls.

Finally, what’s the deal with Roper?

All that and much more in this episode.

The SpyHards interview with Matthew Orton is here.

The SpyHards review TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY.

The SpyHards review THE DEADLY AFFAIR.

The SpyHards review THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL.

The SpyHards patreon is here.

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, I talk with John Ramm, who is currently portraying George Smiley in the play The Spy Who Came in from the Cold at Soho Place.

We talk about how he ended up with the role, differences between the Festival run and the run on the West End, and working with the cast.

In addition, we get into his process for inhabiting George Smiley and insights he’s had into the character.

Plus, John’s podcast The Strange Tales of Virgil Kaylock!

All that and much more in this episode.

John’s podcast The Strange Tales of Virgil Kaylock is here.

Get tickets for the West End show here – https://sohoplace.org/shows/the-spy-who-came-in-from-the-cold/

Find the upcoming Audible release of The National Theater of Brent here.

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this special end of year episode, I welcome back my guests from this past year to answer two questions –

Which le carre novel would you want to read again for the very first time? Why? and What le Carre novel would you most want to pick up and re read right now? Why?

Thanks to everyone for a great bunch discussions in 2025 and looking forward to a great le Carré 2026!

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, I welcome le Carré superfan Clay Douglass Major to the show.

We talk about his trip to London to see new theater production of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, his visit to Oxford and the le Carré exhibition and touring some of the famous Smiley sites of London.

We also talk about le Carré ephemera, the first spark of fandom and Smiley tattoos.

Plus, some Tom Clancy gossip?

All that and much more in this episode.

Clay’s Instagram – @the_g.smiley

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, writer and podcaster Keir Graff returns to continue discussing John le Carré’s novel The Russia House.

We talk about Barley Blair, Katya and that ending. Plus differences between the movie and the book.

Plus, some fun comments from le Carré himself about the book.

All that and much more in this episode.

The Russia House movie documentary – https://youtu.be/eTZH6kzFb9c?si=3t_gKvTw7xcHtvBz

Keir Graff’s Website – https://keirgraff.com/

Sign up for Keir’s newsletter – https://keirgraff.com/newsletter/

The Filmographer’s Podcast – https://filmographerspodcast.com/

The Filmographer’s Podcast Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheFilmographersPodcast

Keir on the Fine Arts Building – https://www.newcity.com/2023/10/30/enduring-art-after-125-years-the-fine-arts-building-is-defiantly-unmodernized-and-ready-for-its-next-act/

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, writer and podcaster Keir Graff joins to discuss John le Carré’s novel The Russia House.

We talk about whether book people would make good spies and le Carré’s eye for local details. We also discuss whether this book has more P.G. Wodehouse than other le Carré novels.

Plus, would an editor nowadays cut the first 50 pages?

All that and much more in this episode.

The Russia House movie documentary – https://youtu.be/eTZH6kzFb9c?si=3t_gKvTw7xcHtvBz

Keir Graff’s Website – https://keirgraff.com/

Sign up for Keir’s newsletter – https://keirgraff.com/newsletter/

The Filmographer’s Podcast – https://filmographerspodcast.com/

The Filmographer’s Podcast Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheFilmographersPodcast

Keir on the Fine Arts Building – https://www.newcity.com/2023/10/30/enduring-art-after-125-years-the-fine-arts-building-is-defiantly-unmodernized-and-ready-for-its-next-act/

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, we talk with Helen Lewis and her new book, The Genius Myth. We talk about how to think about artists with problematic pasts, the influence of wives on “geniuses” and how to create a legacy.

Plus, what would a le Carré video game look like?

All that and more in this episode.

Helen’s Substack – https://helenlewis.substack.com/

Helen’s book – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803542/the-genius-myth-by-helen-lewis/

Helen on The Atlantic – https://www.theatlantic.com/author/helen-lewis/

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, we welcome Federico Varese to the show. Federico is the co-curator of the new exhibition being held by the Bodelian Libraries showing off some of the materials the library has in the John le Carré archive. He also served as editor of Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré a new collection of essays looking at le Carré’s writing and research methods.

We talk about Federico’s relationship with le Carré, how he became involved with the exhibition and book as well as his thoughts on le Carré’s writing process.

Federico also reveals where le Carré found real life inspiration for some of his villains as well as what he feels is le Carré’s great strength as a writer.

Plus, what does Federico think is the exhibition’s show stopper item?

All that and much more in this episode.

John le Carré: Tradecraft – The exhibition – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/lecarre

Buy Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré – https://bodleianshop.co.uk/products/tradecraft-writers-on-john-le-carre

Federico’s website – https://federicovarese.com/

Sign up for the lecture Mick Herron will be giving on John le Carré on December 19th – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/dec25/mick-herron

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jessica Douthwaite to the show. Jessica is the co-curator of the new exhibition being held by the Bodelian Libraries showing off some of the materials the library has in the John le Carré archive.

We talk about how Jessica became involved, what a curator does, and how the exhibition became focused on le Carré’s research methods.

Jessica also reveals some of the wonderful items that will be on display and how a loan of materials from the Cornwell family really helps to make the exhibits pop.

Plus, what could further exhibitions of le Carré materials focus on?

All that and much more in this episode.

John le Carré: Tradecraft – The exhibition – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/lecarre

Buy Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré – https://bodleianshop.co.uk/products/tradecraft-writers-on-john-le-carre

Jessica and Federico will discuss the exhibit on October 10th. You can sign up to join virtually here – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/oct25/tradecraft-the-exhibition

Sign up for the lecture Mick Herron will be giving on John le Carré on December 19th – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/dec25/mick-herron

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode we continue to celebrate 50 years of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by counting up to 50 interesting things about the book.

For numbers eleven to twenty point five I’m welcoming Matthew Bradford back to the podcast. We talk that about some of our favorite characters in the novel. From Connie Sachs to George Smiley, we cover them all.

All that and much more in this episode.

Matthew on le Carré is here.

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite