Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Pre-production is continuing on a new feature film version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Many people thought that Simon Russell Beale was likely to get the role of George Smiley, having received plaudits for his recent radio portrayal of the character. Smiley is, however, going to be played by Gary Oldman. I wonder how close he will come to John Le Carre's Smiley - or indeed to the magnificence of the Alec Guinness portrayal.

Other actors currently listed, but not who they will be playing, are David Thewlis, Colin Firth and Michael Fassbender. Will Thewlis perhaps be Bill Haydon and Colin Firth Toby Esterhase? We'll have to wait and see - or perhaps not. I've yet to come across a remake that has come close to the quality of the original - The Lady Killers, Edge of Darkness, The Wicker Man are but a few examples. In fairness, I've not seen any of these 'remakes' nor do I have any desire to do so - a stance vindicated by any reviews or comments I've seen.

I'm still extremely content to revisit the originals from time to time. And for me, Alec Guinness will always be George Smiley, Ian - Bill Haydon, Ian Bannen - Jim Prideaux, Terence Rigby - Roy Bland and Bernard Hepton - Toby Esterhase.

Guardian Top 50 Dramas of all time

Three of the programmes Ian was featured in have been included in The Guardian's Top 50 Television Dramas of All Time - which includes both UK and American dramas. Top spot has been given to The Sopranos - since I've never seen it, I couldn't possibly comment on it.

Not surprisingly the highest placed of the programmes Ian was in is, at No 18, House of Cards, which has consistently remained a high seller on Amazon UK. Of course, without question I would have made it No 1.

At No 21 is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Smiley's People is at No 17 and I wonder if these two are in the correct order.

Sneaking in at No 46 is Bleak House. A wonderful production and cast, but I remember filming it was rather uncomfortable for Ian at times because he had to sit for hours at a time without a break and he hated the wig he had to wear.

There are certainly some surprise omissions, like Edge of Darkness, I Claudius, the earlier Forsyte Saga with Eric Porter and Fortunes of War being just a few that spring to mind.

Do I think that more of the programmes Ian was featured in should be included? It's all a matter of personal taste, but I would have placed Private Schulz, Porterhouse Blue, Murder Rooms and the unfairly maligned Gormenghast in there.