The novel was Le Carre’s breakout novel and tells the story of Alec Leamas, a veteran British spy who is ordered to bring down one of East Germany’s most high ranking intelligence officers.

The rumours come a week after The Night Manager, which aired on BBC One earlier this year, scooped 12 Emmy Awards nominations.

The production company behind both the new show and The Night Manager is The Ink Factory, which is run by Le Carre’s two sons. They announced that they would be teaming up with American broadcaster, Paramount, to develop the story for television, with Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire screenwriter Simon Beaufoy adapting the novel.

The Ink Factory’s Simon Cornwall said “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is one of the greatest espionage stories ever told. Simon Beaufoy is one of the most brilliant screenwriters of our generation,"”

The director of The Night Manager, Susanna Bier – herself nominated for an Emmy - is rumoured to have been approached to direct the new series.

Executive Producers have been confirmed as Le Carre’s two sons, Stephen and Simon, Le Carre himself and Character 7’s Stephen Garrett.

Although no casting announcements have been made, The Telegraph understands that Game of Thrones actor Aiden Gillen – best known as the quick-witted Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish in the HBO series - is being considered for the main role of Leamas.

The Night Manager broke records at the BBC for being the broadcaster’s most expensive drama – at around £3m per episode – however it excelled critically and in ratings in the UK and abroad. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is understood to have not yet been shopped to buyers so the BBC interest has not been confirmed.