Michael Shannon of BBC 1's Chan-wook Park-created show 'The Little Drummer Girl' is upset that the situation in the Middle-East has not changed since John Le Carre wrote the novel on which the show is based 35 years ago. This is BBC 1's second adaptation of a Le Carre novel, the first one was Carre's 1993 novel 'The Night Manager' which was directed by Rob Bullock. 

'The Little Drummer Girl' premiered c and follows the aspiring actress Charlie (played by Florence Pugh) who finds herself in the middle of a spy-game orchestrated by the Israel-despising spy Marty Kurtz (played by Michael Shannon) who is hell-bent on capturing an Israeli spy. The show is set against the late 1970s Arab-Israel conflict, just a few years after the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

Speaking to the media during the show's premiere at the 62nd BFI London Film Festival on October 14, in London, Shannon said that it is "upsetting" that the story which was published in the '70s continues to be so relevant even to this day.

The Academy Award-nominated actor said, "It is upsetting that these conflicts can’t seem to be resolved, no matter how much effort people put into it. So many people have tried so hard. I’ve never really understood it, personally."

Almost voicing out his character's angst against the conflict, Shannon stated, "So many people have tried so hard. I’ve never really understood it, personally. I understand being upset about the history of your people and wanting to rectify what you believe to be the wrongs that you’ve suffered but the cost just doesn’t seem to be worth it really.

"But who am I to say? It’s not necessarily something I’ve had to deal with personally, so it’s easy for me to judge from outside. But being a part of this project certainly brought me closer to it and helped me understand just how complex it all is.”

He was joined by his co-star Alexander Skarsgard, who plays the role of the alluring stranger Peter who lures Charlie on a two-day trip with him to Athens. Skarsgard claimed that the Arab-Israel conflict which was in full swing during 1970s still holds significance to many people who seem to be unable to let go of the past. He explained, "We were talking this morning about how relevant it is and how acute the situation is, and the conflict... 35 years later, it almost makes you feel despondent because it’s not like we’re moving in the right direction or even moving forward. We’re taking major, major steps back.”

The gripping show returns on BBC 1 on November 8, at 9 pm.