Karla (fictional Character)

Karla (fictional Character)

Karla is a fictional character in several novels by John le Carré. A Soviet Intelligence officer, he most often appears as a distant antagonist of George Smiley. His real name is never revealed; instead he takes his codename from that of the first network he recruited. His most prominent appearances are in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; The Honourable Schoolboy; and Smiley's People, three novels which were later published as a single omnibus edition entitled Smiley Versus Karla or The Quest for Karla in the US.

In the BBC's television adaptations of both Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People, Karla is played by British actor Sir Patrick Stewart. Karla is only seen briefly in one scene in each production and does not speak.