The BEST episodes of Smiley's People

Every episode of Smiley's People ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Smiley's People!

Adaptation of John Le Carré's novel, following on from the previous BBC adaptation TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY. George Smiley returns to the Game. A member of one of George Smiley's old networks seems to have caught on to something big. When he turns up dead the Circus asks George to tie up the loose ends with minimal fuss. But George Smiley does not like loose ends. Especially if they lead to the darkest recesses of the KGB - to Karla, the Sandman.

Last Updated: 2/4/2024Network: BBC TwoStatus: Ended
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Smiley's Lighter
star
7.81
170 votes

#1 - Smiley's Lighter

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/25/1982

Smiley interrogates a diplomat by showing him a series of photographs, and in turn, closes in on the person who killed Vladimir. He is lead to the asylum, and ironically, things eventually become clearer.

Directors: Simon Langton
Watch Now:Amazon
The Rogue Elephant
star
7.38
171 votes

#2 - The Rogue Elephant

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/1982

Smiley continues his investigation, now looking for a man named Otto in a small fishing community, only to find his decaying body in his boat, and a mysterious chalk mark he’s seen before. Smiley talks to the now-perpetually afraid woman.

Directors: Simon Langton
Watch Now:Amazon
The General’s Big Fish
star
7.32
182 votes

#3 - The General’s Big Fish

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/1982

Smiley takes a trip to investigate his friend’s flat for clues. After finding a series of clues that lead to something bigger, Smiley interrogates a man about Vladimir’s whereabouts. And lastly, a picture of two men in bed with a woman stirs things up.

Directors: Simon Langton
Watch Now:Amazon
Alexandra Tatiana
star
7.30
174 votes

#4 - Alexandra Tatiana

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/18/1982

Smiley and his co-workers read through an extremely long deathbed confession. Using an undercover name, Smiley travels to Berne to attempt to find the missing pieces of the murder mystery. Meanwhile, we are introduced to a woman in an asylum.

Directors: Simon Langton
A Mother's Assistance
star
7.22
187 votes

#5 - A Mother's Assistance

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/1982

Once more, George Smiley is brought out of retirement to look into the murder of an old colleague.

Directors: Simon Langton
Watch Now:Amazon
Gathering Friends
star
7.08
177 votes

#6 - Gathering Friends

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/4/1982

The investigation of Vladimir’s murder leads Smiley to interrogate his latest suspect. Smiley is told to stop investigating the case by a man on a motorcycle, and he just blows him off. Smiley’s next stop is Oxfordshire, speaking to a dying former colleague and her lover about the case.

Directors: Simon Langton
Watch Now:Amazon