Ralf Little has been announced as the lead for the forthcoming UK tour of The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, the stage adaptation of John le Carré’s landmark novel.
The critically acclaimed production will embark on a major UK tour from 12 March 2026, opening at Curve Leicester before visiting 21 venues nationwide through to August 2026.
Little will play disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas, with further casting for the touring company to be announced.
Adapted by award-winning playwright David Eldridge, the production marks the first time a novel by John le Carré has been brought to the stage.
The production is directed by Jeremy Herrin, with Joe Lichtenstein serving as Tour Director.
Following a sold-out premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2024, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is currently playing its final weeks at @sohoplace in the West End, where it concludes its run on 21 February 2026.
Ralf Little said: “It is a huge privilege to be stepping into the shoes of one of John le Carré’s great literary creations, Alec Leamas as we bring the murky world of his Cold War masterpiece to life on stage. I first read The Spy Who Came in From the Cold when I was 16 and it has stayed with me ever since. Reading David Eldridge’s brilliant script, I once again found myself drawn into the story’s unexpected twists and turns, its high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse between East and West, which David has captured so thrillingly in the play. Despite being written in the 60s it feels startlingly relevant to the times we are living in now. I can’t wait to share this story with audiences old and new as we take it to cities right across the UK.”
Designed by Max Jones, the production also features lighting design by Azusa Ono, sound design by Elizabeth Purnell, composition by Paul Englishby and movement direction by Lucy Cullingford.
The tour is produced by The Ink Factory and Second Half Productions, with Melting Pot serving as Executive Producer for the UK tour.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
