The Night Manager season 2 is a thrilling return to form worth savouring – and it’s on TV tonight

by

The Night Manager season 2 spoilers won’t be found in this review.

A second season of The Night Manager could have been made quickly. The first season, which was based on John le Carré’s 1993 novel and aired in 2016, was a big hit. Many of the main actors – including Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Laurie – even received Emmy nominations. Shows have been brought back for much less impressive reasons, so it was certainly possible.

Similar to the spy at the center of the story, The Night Manager was a carefully paced production, thoughtfully exploring all options before moving forward. One of those options involved considering ideas from John le Carré for a continuation of the story, even though he never wrote a full sequel himself.

What to Read Next

According to recent reports, the second season of the show is taking a new direction. Simon Cornwell, son of John le Carré, shared that his insights helped the creators feel comfortable exploring possibilities for the next season.

The first season’s new writer, David Farr, created a completely original story, moving away from the source material by John le Carré. With director Susanne Bier, who previously won an Emmy for her work on the show, also not returning, it’s understandable why viewers might be worried about this new direction.

Fortunately, those worries are unnecessary. After watching the first two episodes, it’s clear season two was well worth the wait – it feels like it picks up seamlessly where the last season left off.

It’s been a few years since we last saw the main character in action. The story begins four years later, with Jonathan Pine and Angela Burr dealing with the fallout from their confrontation with Richard Roper. Burr believes they can finally rest easy now that Roper is gone.

Back in the present day, Pine still struggles with sleeplessness. Now calling himself Alex Goodwin, Hiddleston’s character has traded hotel management for a significant position within MI6’s Night Owls – a specialized division operating under the radar.

Pine spends his nights working undercover operations for the British government, mostly staring at a screen. He’s physically fit, but otherwise keeps to himself and has little connection to the outside world.

In the first episode, a therapist assigned by his workplace (played wonderfully by Kirby Howell-Baptiste) gently suggests this situation isn’t the best, considering the obvious emotional pain he’s still dealing with.

“To be honest, you scare me,” she admitted, explaining that in her experience, the quietest people are often the ones who eventually lose control. “Alex, you need to open up to me. I need to know who you truly are.”

Pine pressed his fingernail into his palm, struggling to stay calm as he told her, “I won’t lose control.”

Pine’s calm life is disrupted when someone connected to a past case unexpectedly shows up. He’s quickly pulled into a dangerous new investigation, leading him to Colombia where mysterious illegal shipments suggest a much larger, more threatening plot is unfolding.

The first episode is packed with events, moving just as quickly as the first season, yet it doesn’t feel chaotic. While there’s plenty of action, the show still focuses on developing its characters, like in a touching but difficult scene where Pine meets Richard’s son, Danny (Noah Jupe).

Colman does return, but she doesn’t have a huge role in the first two episodes. This gives newer cast members like Hayley Squires and Camila Morrone a chance to shine. However, the standout new performer is Diego Calva, known from Babylon. He plays a Colombian businessman who is also involved in arms dealing.

Roper used his money and power to get his way, relying on intimidation and sheer determination. Teddy Dos Santos, however, is frightening in a subtler way – he uses his captivating charm and good looks to manipulate people and achieve his goals.

He’s intimidating, but also strangely attractive, and both we and Pine are drawn to him. Is this connection they’re developing something he genuinely feels, or is he simply maintaining his cover and manipulating the situation as planned?

It really hit me when Pine said, “I’m not real.” It felt like all the lies and secrets he’d been keeping were finally catching up to him, and he was starting to fall apart. It was a super vulnerable moment, and it made me realize how much of his life was just a facade.

It’s interesting how this story expands on the original, taking it in directions that feel true to the spirit of John le Carré. Add in some romantic tension and beautiful scenery – filmed by award-winning director Georgi Banks-Davies – and the result is a sequel that’s truly enjoyable.

It’s still too soon to say if this season is as good as the first, since we’re only halfway through. However, the BBC has already ordered another season, which suggests they’re confident in the show’s future. Based on the first two episodes, it seems like you have reason to be optimistic as well.

The Night Manager season 2 is coming to BBC and BBC iPlayer on January 1, 2026.

Read More

2026-01-01 10:21