Karla is the central, but silent, antagonist in John le Carré’s three Smiley novels. He is also the title character in the first George Smiley continuation novel, Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway.

Karla is described as a compact man in middle age with exceptional composure and ascetic habits. Smiley, who describes him as modest and avuncular, could be describing himself, but adds that Karla has a Mediterranean look and that he resembles a priest or schoolmaster. His most consistent characteristic is his habit of chain-smoking Camels.

Just as anyone who has seen the excellent BBC productions imagines Smiley as Alec Guiness, Karla always brings Patrick Stewart to mind. Stewart’s powerful portrayal is made more so by the fact that he does not speak. 

By Nick Kraft