Charlie Hunnam transitions from playing serial killers to joining John le Carré's spy world in new streaming show.

Charlie Hunnam has kept a busy schedule recently. Following his portrayal of serial killer Ed Gein in Netflixs 2025 series Monster, he is set to return for the fourth season of Ryan Murphys anthology series centered on Lizzie Borden. Now, Hunnam is taking on a new role in the espionage world for an upcoming streaming adaptation of John le Carrs work.

BBC and MGM+ have announced that Hunnam will lead Legacy of Spies, alongside Matthew Macfadyen, Daniel Brhl, and Devim Lingnau Islamolu. Produced by Independent studio The Ink in partnership with Berlins Amusement Park Film, Hunnam will play British intelligence officer Alec Leamas.

The eight-episode series adapts le Carrs 1963 bestseller The Spy Who Came In From the Cold while also drawing elements from his 2017 novel, A Legacy of Spies. The story follows Alec Leamas as he witnesses his last agent killed by East German guards. Facing the end of his field career, Leamas is offered a final chance for vengeance: posing as a disillusioned ex-agent to lure Mundt, deputy director of East German Intelligence, into a trap. George Smiley oversees the operation, ensuring it unfolds according to plan.

Stephen Cornwell and Clarissa Ingram handle the writing for the series, which will be set across the UK, the former East and West Germany, and Czechoslovakia. Fans can expect a story rich in international intrigue and varied locations.

In addition to starring, Hunnam will serve as an executive producer for Legacy of Spies, a role he also held on Monster. After immersing himself in the dark character of Ed Gein, Hunnams portrayal of a seasoned spy promises a different kind of charisma and intensity.

Hunnam also has another upcoming series, Criminal on Amazon, starring alongside Garrett Hedlund. With these projects, fans will have plenty of new material to enjoy.

Further details about Legacy of Spies are expected in the coming months. Meanwhile, viewers can revisit Hunnams chilling performance in Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix.

Author: Sophia Brooks