The creator of the acclaimed BBC series The Night Manager has revealed that working with Hugh Laurie on the first season was "really tricky" because the actor had his heart set on playing the lead role that ultimately went to Tom Hiddleston.
Behind the Scenes Casting Conflict
Screenwriter David Farr made the candid admission during an event at London's Blackheath Concert Halls. He explained that Laurie, famed for his role in House, had previously tried to option John le Carré's 1993 novel and had long envisioned himself as the protagonist, Jonathan Pine.
"I was suddenly doing the television show and had written the first episode, and everyone liked it and Tom Hiddleston had signed up [as Pine]," Farr stated. "But then Hugh became really tricky, because he had such fixed ideas and none of his notes were about his character [Roper] – they were all about Tom’s character."
Farr humorously recalled his reaction at the time: "I was like, 'Give me a break.'" Ultimately, Laurie was cast in the pivotal role of arms dealer Richard Roper, a part which earned him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in 2016.
Award-Winning Success and Forthcoming Sequel
The six-part first season, which debuted in 2016, was a major critical hit. It secured Golden Globes for both its leading men, with Hiddleston winning Best Actor and Laurie Best Supporting Actor. Olivia Colman also won for her portrayal of MI6 officer Angela Burr.
Farr noted that any tension from the early days has long since dissipated. "We’re fine now," he said. "I think if I’d been more mature, I could have dealt with it better. Hugh is a lovely man, very passionate." He added that Laurie features only briefly in the upcoming second season, primarily in flashback.
The new season, arriving in the New Year, is a unique creation. With no original sequel novel from le Carré, who died in 2020, Farr developed the story himself. The author's sons, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, revealed that Farr conceived the idea in a dream the night before their father's death.
Who's Returning for Season Two?
The highly anticipated sequel will see the return of Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine and Olivia Colman as Angela Burr. Other returning cast members include Alistair Petrie as Sandy Langbourne, Michael Nardone, and Noah Jupe as Daniel Roper.
They will be joined by new stars Camilla Morrone and Diego Calva, playing characters named Roxana Bolaños and Teddy Dos Santos. Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Hayley Squires are also set to feature in the new instalment.
Alistair Petrie, speaking recently, expressed his belief that le Carré would have been proud of the new direction, despite the challenge of having no source novel. The series continues to be a landmark production for the BBC, blending espionage thrills with complex character drama.
