Ralf Little will play disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas in an extensive UK-wide tour of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in From the Cold from March 2026.
Further casting for the touring production will be announced shortly.
Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge (Festen, End) this is the first novel by le Carré – the undisputed master of the modern spy genre, whose works include Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Night Manager – to be brought to life on stage.
About The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Following its 2024 sold out premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre The Spy Who Came In From The Cold received its West End premiere @sohoplace in November 2025 and its final performance will be on 21 February 2026.
The role of Alec Leamas was originated by Rory Keenan who is currently performing in the West End production.
British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is weary, hardened, and ready to come in from the cold. But when spymaster George Smiley presents one final mission — dangerous, deceptive, and deeply personal — Leamas agrees to stay in the game. Dispatched into enemy territory, he finds his convictions tested and his defences breached by Liz Gold, a quietly defiant librarian whose compassion threatens to thaw his frostbitten heart.
A global bestseller for over six decades and named one of TIME Magazine’s All-Time 100 Novels, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a riveting journey through the fog-shrouded terrain of Cold War espionage, deception, and moral compromise.
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold – Creative Team
Directed by Jeremy Herrin
Tour Director Joe Lichtenstein
Designed by Max Jones
Lighting Design by Azusa Ono
Sound Design by Elizabeth Purnell
Composition by Paul Englishby
Movement Direction by Lucy Cullingford
General Management by Second Half Productions
Ralf Little
Olivier Award nominated British actor Ralf Little is best known for his roles as Antony Royle in BBC’s BAFTA winning comedy The Royle Family with Caroline Aherne, Jonny in BBC’s much loved Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps alongside Sheridan Smith and Will Mellor.
In 2024, Ralf finished his run as lead detective of the BBC’s much loved Death in Paradise which reached its highest audience during his tenure. Ralf is set to reunite with his Two Pints castmate, Will Mellor, for the part two of the second season of factual series Will & Ralf Should Know Better on U and U&Dave in 2026. The hit show will see them continue to find out “how they can do life better as two middle-aged men in their 40s”.
His other TV credits include The Café (Sky One) with Phoebe Waller-Bridge (which Ralf also wrote), Robin Hood (BBC), Our Zoo (BBC), The Interceptor (BBC), Doctor Who (BBC) and The A Word (BBC).
His film credits include 24 Hour Party People (MGM) with Steve Coogan, The Waiting Room (Entertainment One) alongside Anne-Marie Duff, Powder with Alfie Allen, and voicing the lead character in Underdogs (The Weinstein Company) with Ariana Grande and Nicholas Hoult.
Ralf’s theatre credits include White Rabbit Red Rabbit (Lambert Jackson Ltd), God Of Carnage (Theatre Royal Bath), Ugly Lies The Bone (National Theatre), Dead Funny (Vaudeville Theatre), A Day in The Death of Joe Egg (Liverpool Playhouse), On The Ceiling (The Ripley Duggan), Billy Liar (ATG), Notes On Falling Leaves (Royal Court) and Presence (Royal Court) for which he received an Olivier Award nomination.
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold UK TOUR SCHEDULE 25-26
Leicester Curve Theatre
12 – 14 March 2026
Malvern Theatres
18 – 21 March 2026
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
24 – 28 March 2026
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
31 March – 4 April 2026
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
14 – 18 April 2026
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
21 – 25 April 2026
Wales Millennium Centre
28 April – 2 May 2026
Sheffield Lyceum
5 – 9 May 2026
Liverpool Playhouse
12 – 16 May 2026
Richmond Theatre
19 – 23 May 2026
Glasgow Theatre Royal
26 – 30 May 2026
Theatre Royal Brighton
2 – 6 June 2026
York Grand Opera House
9 – 13 June 2026
Norwich Theatre Royal
16 – 20 June 2026
Nottingham Theatre Royal
23 – 27 June 2026
The Alexandra, Birmingham
30 June – 4 July 2026
Newcastle Theatre Royal
7 – 11 July 2026
Milton Keynes Theatre
14 – 18 July 2026
Lowry, Salford
22 – 15 July 2026
Cambridge Arts
28 July – 1 August 2026
Bath Theatre Royal
11 – 22 August 2026
