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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

The le Carre Cast
John Le Carré
Espionage
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Cold War
George Smiley
The Night Manager
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold
Karla's Choice
The Honourable Schoolboy
Nick Harkaway
The Constant Gardener
The Russia House
A Most Wanted Man
Hong Kong
Queer Themes
CIA
Spy and Tinker Taylor
Legacy Of Spies
Bill Hayden
A Murder Of Quality

Exploring the works of John le Carré, each episode looks at a specific novel or an unexplored aspect of his life and work. Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of espionage John le Carré has revealed.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes94Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The le Carré Cast

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Recent Guests

Alistair Wood
Author of My Family and Other Spies: A memoir about his family's intelligence background
Author
Episode: Le Carre Cast Reads – My Family and Other Spies by Alistair Wood
James Wolff
Author of Spies and Other Gods
Episode: The Naive and Sentimental Lover by John le Carre – Explored Part 2
Matt Gourley
Actor, musician, and podcaster; Le Carré fan and host of other podcasts
Guest on The le Carré Cast
Episode: Talking Smiley and more with Matt Gourley
Dave Hutchinson
Author known for Fractured Europe series and The Essence
Episode: Interview – Dave Hutchinson on science fiction, spies and le Carre
Henry Jeffreys
Award-winning drinks writer and author of Empire of Booze
The Critic (drinks columnist)
Episode: Drinks and le Carré with Henry Jeffreys
Jessica Douthwaite
Co-curator discussing exhibitions related to le Carré's novels.
Episode: Best of 2025 – Part 1
John Ramm
Actor known for portraying George Smiley
Episode: Playing George Smiley – John Ramm Interview
Ben Winters
Author of The Last Detective Trilogy and Underground Airlines
Episode: 2 Questions on le Carre
Todd Hoffman
Author of Le Carré's Landscape and former intelligence officer in Canada
Episode: 2 Questions on le Carre

Host

Jeff Quest
Host of The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 156 ratings
  • Love the show but…

    NM episode 3 recap, Jeff’s audio is entirely missing. Very frustrating!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    johnchristianplummer
    United States5 months ago
  • Night Manager Ep 3 pod

    The audio is cut off from one of the participants?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MiamiSpurs fan
    United States5 months ago
  • Great host but some very irritating guests

    Whoever the guest who appears under the pseudonym Bee is, she was worthless. She repeatedly contradicted her own opinions, she seemed ignorant of details in the books, and she was completely unaware of any historical and cultural contexts. And she obviously found herself to be very funny; she wasn’t. I stopped listening the quarter of the way in Part 1of the episode that was supposed to be about Call for the Dead and skipped the second completely. Not worth the time listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aspiring Hermit
    United States5 months ago
  • A must for all le Carré fans

    A great listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lanemat
    United States5 months ago
  • Badly needed podcast

    Thanks for this podcast, true appreciation of an immense writer

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    s??65834
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many fans highlight the show's role in connecting with le Carré's world and locations.
A few listeners note audio quality issues but still value the insights and host demeanor.
Some episodes have been praised for large guest rosters and deep dives.
Listeners praise depth and expertise, with consistent, thoughtful discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#228
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#250
France/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#150
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#151
Finland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#212
Sweden/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#234
Indonesia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Talking Smiley and more with Matt Gourley
Q: Is it true that you've thought about a Bond retreat or gathering in Jamaica, and what might that look like for a Le Carré fan event?
They imagine a laid‑back, pub‑based gathering with a focus on discussion, reading, and shared screenings rather than a glossy Bond‑style retreat, including playful costume ideas and a relaxed, community vibe.
Talking Smiley and more with Matt Gourley
Q: Well, first, what's your spy origin story? How did you get hooked on espionage?
Matt explains being drawn in from a young age by Bond films shared with his dad, then later discovering the more nuanced world of Le Carré, which resonated as he aged and sought deeper, morally complex stories.
Drinks and le Carré with Henry Jeffreys
Q: How has drinking in Britain evolved from the 60s to the 90s according to your perspective?
Drinking culture shifted from wine-dominated and wine-signifier social circles to a broader acceptance of varied drinks like lager and affordable branded wines, with a decline in traditional sherries, port, and Madeira as everyday staples, alongside a rise in New World wines and a reconceptualization of alcohol as a signifier of class and modernity.
Best of 2025 – Part 2
Q: What was your experience working with le Carré on his drafts?
It was a huge amount of fun, and I was impressed by how he took on board my comments and suggestions in his writing process.
Best of 2025 – Part 2
Q: How did you first meet John le Carré and get involved with his work?
I was a student at the University of Oxford doing my doctoral thesis on the Russian Mafia when I received a letter from John le Carré seeking my advice.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The le Carré Cast

What is The le Carré Cast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show provides in-depth explorations of John le Carré's novels and life, blending literary analysis with espionage history, media adaptations, and behind-the-scenes perspectives from authors, journalists, and genre experts. Episodes often pair close readings with context about publishing, biography, and real-world espionage, sometimes weaving in cultural and geographic storytelling that helps listeners understand the era, craft, and impact of le Carré's work. A standout feature is the diverse mix of guests and angles—from memoirs and biographies to adaptations and visual exhibitions—making it a rich resource for fans and potential contributors alike, with a thoughtful, measured hosting style that favors depth over hype.

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Which podcasts are similar to The le Carré Cast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The le Carré Cast:

1. Backlisted
2. The Book Club
3. The Rest Is History
4. Past Present Future
5. The Rest Is Classified

How many episodes of The le Carré Cast are there?

The le Carré Cast launched 5 years ago and published 94 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The le Carré Cast?

Recent guests on The le Carré Cast include:

1. Alistair Wood
2. James Wolff
3. Matt Gourley
4. Dave Hutchinson
5. Henry Jeffreys
6. Jessica Douthwaite
7. John Ramm
8. Ben Winters

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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