A major new BBC drama is filming in Liverpool, with production underway in the city for the upcoming Cold War espionage series Legacy of Spies.
Images captured from the film set as crews worked on the new eight-part thriller, which boasts a huge cast including Matthew Macfadyen, Charlie Hunnam, Hugh Laurie, Joe Alwyn and Dan Stevens.
The production is an adaptation of John le Carré’s acclaimed novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, while also drawing on material from his 2017 book A Legacy of Spies. The series will bring legendary spymaster George Smiley back to television, with Succession star Matthew Macfadyen taking on the famous role.
Filming has been taking place in Liverpool during August, with Charlie Hunnam and Agnes O’Casey spotted working on the production in the city on Thursday 20 August.
Hunnam, known for Sons of Anarchy and The Gentlemen, plays experienced British intelligence field operative Alec Leamas, while O’Casey stars as Liz Gold. The actress is reprising the role she previously played in the West End stage adaptation of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.
What is Legacy of Spies about?
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Legacy of Spies follows Alec Leamas as he recruits a young East German woman, Doris Quinz, to smuggle valuable Stasi documents into the West.
The operation soon develops into a dangerous intelligence battle involving British agents, the East German secret police and a network of characters whose loyalties are increasingly difficult to determine.
Behind the operation is George Smiley, one of John le Carré’s most famous characters, as the British spymaster attempts to stay one step ahead in an increasingly dangerous Cold War game.
Huge cast confirmed for Legacy of Spies
The Liverpool production has one of the strongest ensemble casts currently attached to a new BBC drama.
Matthew Macfadyen stars as George Smiley alongside Charlie Hunnam as Alec Leamas, Daniel Brühl as Josef Fiedler and Devrim Lingnau Islamoğlu as Doris Quinz.
They are joined by Dan Stevens as Bill Haydon, Agnes O’Casey as Liz Gold, Felix Kammerer as Hans-Dieter Mundt, Jake Dunn as Peter Guillam and Safia Oakley-Green as Molly Gibson.
Hugh Laurie has also joined the cast as Control, the head of British intelligence organisation The Circus, while Joe Alwyn plays veteran agent Jim Prideaux.
Other additions include Anjana Vasan as Connie Sachs, Charlotte Ritchie as Ann Smiley, Lee Ross as Inspector Oliver Mendel, James McArdle as Percy Alleline, John Dagleish as Roy Bland, Goran Bogdan as Toby Esterhase and Adam Hugill as Fawn.
The drama is produced by The Ink Factory for the BBC and MGM+, with Stephen Cornwell and Clarisa Ingram writing the series and Michael Lennox serving as lead director.
Legacy of Spies will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, with MGM+ showing the series in the United States. A transmission date has yet to be announced.
The production adds to Liverpool’s growing list of major television and film projects to use the city as a filming location in 2026.
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