Gary Oldman 'Lucky' To Have Landed Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Role

Gary Oldman has said that he feels "lucky" to have landed the role of George Smiley in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

The Dark Knight Rises star plays the spy in the latest adaptation of John Le Carre's novel, and is quick to credit his fellow cast members such as Colin Firth and Tom Hardy for his own performance.

He is quoted by Bang Showbiz as saying: "He is such a brilliant character, as are those around him. Really, I'm very lucky to have had the opportunity of playing this part.

"If people like the character then it's because the author and then the writers of the screenplay have created the landscape and the roadmap."

Smiley has appeared in five other Le Carre novels and two previous television series, both times played by Alec Guinness, but Oldman feels that he brings a new dimension to the character.

He added: "Our version of George Smiley is a littler crueller, and a littler harder, perhaps, than some of the earlier incarnations.

"He has a strong moral sense, a strong moral compass, but he recognises and understands the dark, unethical and ugly side of what he does."

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is released on September 16.