Joe Cole will lead the cast of ITV's adaptation of The Ipcress File in the role of reluctant spy Harry Palmer.

The character first gained attention when Michael Caine played the role in three films in the 1960s and two in the 1990s.

Based off Len Deighton's 1962 novel of the same name, the TV series will see Palmer offered a position as a spy to avoid prison, and assigned a mission known as The Ipcress File.

John Hodge, best known for his collaborations with director Danny Boyle, wrote the teleplays for the series, with James Watkins directing.

Bournemouth Echo: Joe Cole as Harry Palmer (ITV)Joe Cole as Harry Palmer (ITV)

When will ITV's The Ipcress File be on TV?

The first episode of The Ipcress File will air at 9pm on ITV1 on Sunday, March 6.

There will be six episodes in total which will air at the same time on the same channel in the proceeding weeks.

Who is in the cast of ITV's The Ipcress File?

Joe Cole as Harry Palmer

Lucy Boynton as Jean Courtney

Ashley Thomas as Maddox

Tom Hollander as Major Dalby

David Dencik as Colonel Stok

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as General Cathcart

Nora-Jane Noone as Dr. Karen Newton

Corey Johson as Captain Skip Henderson

Matthew Steer as Professor Dawson

Shireen Farkhoy as Rashida Boustani

Bournemouth Echo: Lucy Boynton and Ashley Thomas (ITV)Lucy Boynton and Ashley Thomas (ITV)

Paul Bazely as Morris

Tamla Kari as Deborah

Charles De'Ath as Officer Hughes

Anna Schumacher as Frau Stuten

Gavin Spokes as Terry

Jonas Khan as DR Rajan Rayat