It's a shame Michael Jayston couldn't repeat his performance as Peter Guillam from Tinker Tailor, especially as so many other actors are in both productions. Having said that, I think Michael Byrne makes an even better Guillam.
shareI'm not sure. The character was very different in the two series, and I think each actor suited their role very well.
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I liked the first Guillam better. Michael Byrne's acting in SP was fantastic, but he was too old, too dandyish. Michael Jayston in TTSS was better in that he was exactly what I pictured from reading the novel, and had tgat overgrown boy element that Le Carre described. He seemed a man of action enough to keep Ricki Tarr and the like in line.
Well, why don't we call it "research" or something?
I thought Michael Byrne did a good job at that "aging boy" role. At some point he says something to George about "feeling my age." He used to be that hard working but carefree guy. Now he's married with a child on the way. As head of station in Paris he surely carries a weight of responsibility. In such a situation the boy runs into the necessity of becoming the man, whatever that entails.
The boyish element still showed up, especially at the end when he shows his joy that George's plan has succeeded. "George! You angel!" After this his life will settle down to something quite ordinary, for a spy that is.
I just watched this again (on DVD) over the past few nights. As good as Michael Byrne is in the role, it struck me this time how much I missed Jayston. IMHO, the two series would play much better as a "collective work" if Michael Jayston portrayed Guillam in both. But I love both shows in any event, and always seem to toss one or the other into the player at least once a year.
shareAs an addendum to my earlier post:
I've thought about the two performances and I see that there was an undeniable extra something that Jayston had. His silent facial expressions were almost as good as Alec Guinness in some spots.
When he let Toby into the safe house, supposedly to buy a new courier, he made small talk with Toby. When Toby began to climb the stairs Guillam said nothing, but his facial expression said, "Oh, are we going to enjoy taking YOU apart, Toby!"
In an earlier scene, his handling of being interrogated at the Circus by Percy et al was masterful.
As good as Michael Byrne is, it's hard to imagine him handling those scenes as well as Jayston.
"Look for one man.....but LOOK!"
I fully agree with everyone pointing out Jaystons brilliant perfomance.
My question is: WHY did he not go on being Peter in Smileys People?
Probably for contractual reasons.
shareMichael Jayston has "that heavy quiet that commands" ( a quote that actually describes Jim Prideaux in TTSS for those who haven't read it yet) and this, plus his undoubted devotion to Smiley makes him much the better Peter Guillam in my opinion.
shareYes, he was already committed to another production when Smiley's People was being filmed.
When I first this way back I thought Jayston was playing Guillam again and marvelled at the way they had aged him for the part!
Answering a question from nearly six years ago: at the time of production Michael Jayston was busy appearing in The Sound of Music, of all things.
shareI think they both have their strong points--but personally I'm really excited that soon we'll have a third incarnation of Peter to discuss, Benedict Cumberbatch! He's such a fantastic actor and I predict he'll do a great job.
shareI was unimpressed with his last attempt. In fact, I thought he was a bit gormless. Michael Jayston was much better, IMHO. Guillam is a critical character. He's Smiley's "get it done" man. If he's not believable it just won't work.
But I didn't like the last version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" either. Gary Oldman, whatever his credentials, is no George Smiley.
He's older, married, in the stuffy world of the Paris embassy but the agent's bravado shines through enough to give him zest.
shareFor me, Michael Jayston was perfect as Guillam. No one could've improved upon it, so whoever played Peter was always going to be lesser, though not necessarily poor.
Jayston - 10
Byrne - 7
Cumberbatch - 4