Joe Cole: Getting the glasses right for Ipcress File remake was 'massive'

Joe Cole says getting the glasses right for 'The Ipcress File' remake was a "massive" part of getting into character.

The former ‘Peaky Blinders’ star initially wanted to wear the exact same frames that Harry Palmer - played by movie legend Sir Michael Caine - wore in the 1965 original spy film, but they “did not work”, so he tested out numerous pairs of specs in luxury eyewear shop Cutler and Gross to find the right pair for the upcoming ITV drama.

The 33-year-old actor said: “The glasses were massive in getting into character.

“I remember going into Cutler and Gross in Knightsbridge. I tried on every pair in the shop and there was only pair that worked.”

The ‘Black Mirror’ star’s choice was confirmed by the ITV remake’s costume designer, Keith Madden.

Joe said: "As soon as I put them on, I said, 'These are the ones.' Then our costume designer Keith Madden turned up and he said, 'Yeah, they’re the ones.' "

Despite being unable to wear the veteran actor's spectacles, Joe felt the new pair “worked” as they embodied the spirit of them.

He is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "The ones we used still have the very hard black, strong frames and they just worked. For me, as soon as I put them on it was job done."

This was not the only costume struggle the team dealt with in the new adaption, as they had to get that iconic 60s look over Zoom tailoring sessions.

The series - which also features Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander - begins in March.

ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill recently said: "I'm thrilled to be bringing John Hodge’s brilliant adaptation of such an iconic novel to ITV.

"Harry Palmer is an incredible part and this would have been impossible without the right actor, so we are all delighted that Joe Cole will take on the role.

"The talent on and off-screen means this will be a treat for audiences when it comes to ITV.”