# Where to watch Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) in the UK

> Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) is available to watch free in the UK on BBC iPlayer. It can be bought from Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, and Sky Store. Last verified on 3 May 2026 by ScreenSearch.

**Type:** TV series  
**Year:** 1979  
**Runtime:** 50 minutes per episode  
**TMDB rating:** 7.6/10  
**Genres:** War & Politics, Drama, Mystery  
**Seasons:** 1  
**Region:** United Kingdom (GB)  
**Last verified:** 3 May 2026 (2026-05-03T20:01:21.381Z)  

## Synopsis

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a seven-part BBC2 spy drama written by Arthur Hopcraft, adapted from John le Carré's eponymous 1974 novel. The serial, which stars Alec Guinness, Alexander Knox, Ian Richardson, Michael Jayston, Bernard Hepton, Anthony Bate, Ian Bannen, George Sewell and Michael Aldridge, was broadcast from 10 September to 22 October 1979.

George Smiley, the ageing master spy of the Cold War and once heir-apparent to Control, is brought back out of retirement to flush out a top level mole within the Circus. Smiley must travel back through his life and murky workings of the Circus to unravel the net spun by his nemesis Karla 'The Sandman' of the KGB and reveal the identity of the mole before he disappears.

## Streaming options in the United Kingdom

### Free (with ads or TV licence)

- [BBC iPlayer](https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search?q=Tinker%20Tailor%20Soldier%20Spy)

### Buy (digital download)

- [Apple TV Store](https://tv.apple.com/gb/search?term=Tinker%20Tailor%20Soldier%20Spy)
- [Amazon Video](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Tinker%20Tailor%20Soldier%20Spy&i=instant-video)
- [Sky Store](https://www.sky.com/search?q=Tinker%20Tailor%20Soldier%20Spy)

## Frequently asked questions

**Where can I watch Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy for free in the UK?**

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) is available free (with adverts or a TV licence) on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.

**Can I buy a digital copy of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?**

Yes. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy can be bought as a digital download from Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, and Sky Store in the UK. A purchased digital copy lives in that storefront's library and stays available as long as the licence holds.

**Are all seasons of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on the same service?**

Not always — TV licensing is sometimes negotiated season by season. ScreenSearch shows availability across all seasons on the title's page; for season-specific availability, look at the season picker inside the search dialog.

**Is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video in the UK?**

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is not currently included with any major UK subscription service. It may still be available to rent or buy.

**How accurate is this TV series's availability data?**

Availability is sourced from The Movie Database (TMDB), which in turn pulls from JustWatch. Listings are refreshed daily. For purchase decisions, the provider's own site is the source of truth.

## Sources

- Streaming availability: The Movie Database (TMDB), refreshed daily.
- Underlying licensing data: JustWatch.
- Canonical URL: https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/35430/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-1979
- Poster image: https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/3HlMztiMrTnhU1u807MGUizEXxH.jpg
- JSON variant: https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/35430/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-1979.json

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Generated by [ScreenSearch](https://www.screensearch.co.uk/) — a free UK-focused tool that answers "where can I watch this in the UK?" for any film or TV show. No accounts, no signup.