Smiley's People poster
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Smiley's People

7.719821 seasonTV SeriesDramaMystery

Called out of retirement to settle the affairs of a friend, Smiley finds his old organization, the Circus, so overwhelmed by political considerations that it doesn't want to know what happened. He begins to follow up the clues of his…

ProducerJonathan Powell

Where to watch

BBC iPlayerBBC iPlayer
Availability shown for United Kingdom · rights vary by country

Seasons & Episodes

E1
A Mother's Assistance
Sep 20, 1982 6.8
E2
The General's Big Fish
Sep 27, 1982 7.2
E3
Gathering Friends
Oct 4, 1982 6.3
E4
The Rogue Elephant
Oct 11, 1982 7.7
E5
Alexandra Tatiana
Oct 18, 1982 7.7
E6
Smiley's Lighter
Oct 25, 1982 9.0

Cast

AGAlec Guinness
Alec Guinness
George Smiley

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Smiley's People — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Smiley's People?

Smiley's People is streaming on BBC iPlayer in United Kingdom, and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store and Amazon Video. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is Smiley's People on Netflix?

No, Smiley's People is not on Netflix in United Kingdom as of September 2026. It's currently on BBC iPlayer.

Is Smiley's People on Amazon Prime Video?

Smiley's People isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United Kingdom, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch Smiley's People for free?

Smiley's People is available to stream free (with ads) on BBC iPlayer in United Kingdom.

How many seasons are in Smiley's People?

Smiley's People has 1 season in total (6 episodes). The series concluded in 1982.

Are all episodes of Smiley's People out yet?

Yes — all 6 episodes across 1 season of Smiley's People are out and available to stream.

Is there a Season 2 of Smiley's People?

No — Smiley's People ended after 1 season, so there is no Season 2.

What book is Smiley's People based on?

Smiley's People is based on Smiley's People by John le Carré.