Return of the iconic U.N.C.L.E. turtleneck?

Photo by Xposurephotos.com of Armie Hammer and Guy Ritchie that appeared in the Daily Mail

The Daily Mail newspaper in the U.K. published a SEPT. 21 STORY about filming of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. movie that indicates Illya Kuryakin’s iconic turtleneck is making a return.

The story has a photo of actor Armie Hammer and director Guy Ritchie. Hammer, who has the Kuryakin role played by David McCallum in the 1964-68 original show, is wearing a cap, jacket and a turtleneck. Hammer has been seen with the cap in other published photos with Henry Cavill, who plays Napoleon Solo, who was played by Robert Vaughn in the original series. But many of those photos didn’t hae a clear view of Hammer’s face.

The turtleneck was part an iconic look for McCallum/Kuryakin. The actor didn’t even wear a turtleneck in that many episodes. He was more often seen in a simple black suit, white shirt and black tie.

David McCallum’s main titles credit in the final season

Nevertheless, many original fans still remember Kuryakin with the turtleneck. On page 40 of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. book by Jon Heitland, there’s a photo of McCallum (in suit and tie) in a parade accompanied by Boy Scout “bodyguards” wearing turtlenecks and carrying toy U.N.C.L.E. Special guns. In the show’s final season, the main titles were reshot to have McCallum in a turtleneck.