# In 1991, Anthony Hopkins was set to play a spy for the first time in 20 years, but he quit at the last second

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1991-anthony-hopkins-was-set-to-play-a-spy-for-the-first-time-in-20-years-but-he-quit-at-the-last-second/
- Published: 2026-11-15T14:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T15:49:49+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1991-anthony-hopkins-set-to-play-spy-first-time-20-years-quit-at-last-second/

## Key points

- Hopkins quit *A Murder of Quality* over a changed script.
- He withdrew just three days before filming began.
- Denholm Elliott replaced him after the producers doubled their offer.

## Summary

Anthony Hopkins withdrew from PBS’s *A Murder of Quality* in 1991, shortly before filming was due to begin, after objecting to changes in the script. The planned role as George Smiley would have returned him to playing a spy for the first time in 20 years, following his part in *When Eight Bells Toll*.

Actor Denholm Elliott said Hopkins felt the new script was not the one he had agreed to and refused to proceed. With only three days before production, the producers brought in Elliott, who had three BAFTA wins and an Oscar nomination; he said they doubled their offer to persuade him to take the role.

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