Smiley's People 1982
What is Smiley's People?
Smiley's People is a television series first released in 1982. Catalogued under Drama, Mystery.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1982
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 6
- Runtime
- 50 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 20, 1982
- Networks
- BBC Two
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 6 episodes and an average 50-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
Smiley's People is a television series first released in 1982. Catalogued under Drama, Mystery. Status: Ended. A full overview for this page is being written and will appear here once verified against sources.
Should you watch it?
“A retired spy is pulled back into a deadly Cold War mystery.”
- Alec Guinness delivers a commanding performance
- Atmospheric Cold War espionage
- Well‑crafted drama and mystery
- Deliberate pacing may feel slow for some viewers
Watch it if you appreciate methodical Cold War spy dramas with strong character focus.
The series features mature political intrigue and espionage, suited for adult audiences.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 6 episodes
- E1 A Mother's Assistance Sep 20, 1982
- E2 The General's Big Fish Sep 27, 1982
- E3 Gathering Friends Oct 4, 1982
- E4 The Rogue Elephant Oct 11, 1982
- E5 Alexandra Tatiana Oct 18, 1982
- E6 Smiley's Lighter Oct 25, 1982
Frequently asked questions
When was "Smiley's People" first broadcast in the UK?
It premiered on 20 September 1982 and ran until 25 October 1982.
Who plays the lead role of George Smiley?
Alec Guinness stars as Smiley.
What genre does the series belong to?
It is a drama and mystery series centered on espionage.
Who directed the series?
Simon Langton directed the production.
What is the basic premise of the story?
Retired spy George Smiley is called back to investigate a friend's affairs, leading him into a politically tangled hunt for a high‑ranking Russian secret‑service figure.