Filming has officially begun on “The Ipcress File,” the new espionage thriller series adaptation of Len Deighton’s famous Cold War-set novel which has sold 10 million copies worldwide.
Set in Berlin and London during the 1960s, and shot in Liverpool and Croatia, the story deals with an insubordinate British intelligence officer being tasked with investigating the kidnappings and brainwashed reappearances of several of the UK’s top scientists.
He must navigate his way through criminals, secret agents, a vengeful CIA and his superiors while attempting to bring in a suspect. A mysterious audiotape holds the key.
“Gangs of London” breakout Joe Cole will play the lead role of Harry Palmer. Tom Hollander, Ashley Thomas, David Dencik, Joshua James and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor also star.
Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning writer John Hodge (“Trainspotting”) adapted the script while Altitude Film Entertainment and ITV Studios are backing the project. James Watkins (“Black Mirror”) is directing all six episodes.
The novel was the first of four that Deighton penned centering on an unnamed agent for the British security services – the other three being “Horse Under Water,” “Funeral in Berlin” and “Billion-Dollar Brain”.
The property was famously adapted onto film in the 1960s with Sir Michael Caine taking on the character who was granted the name Harry Palmer. That film set out to offer a much more old school and naturalistic style to spy tales than the more fantastical Bond films. Caine ultimately reprised the role four more times.
Source: Variety