I tried reading TTSS as a teenager but I found it too boring. I only started to enjoy le Carré when I discovered his books on audio, narrated by someone whose voice I love (who read under the names David Case and Frederick Davidson). I'm re-listening to TTSS now.

Thanks for the names of the BBC programmes! Cumberbatch seems to be in just about everything now (Sherlock, TTSS, War Horse, The Hobbit, the Star Trek reboot sequel)...I'm going to ration him. :)