Viewers of the BBC's acclaimed spy drama The Night Manager have been left reeling after the third episode of its long-awaited second season delivered a stunning narrative bombshell. The shocking return of a character presumed dead has set social media alight and promises to drastically alter the course of the series.
A Shocking Resurrection
The closing moments of the episode, which aired recently, featured the unexpected comeback of arms dealer Richard Roper, played by Hugh Laurie. In the first series of the show, which originally aired in 2016, Roper was the central villain. The new season had previously indicated he was killed, with intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) confirming the identity of his corpse in a flashback set six years prior.
However, the plot took a dramatic turn when Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) stealthily followed Roper's son, Teddy (Diego Calva), to a hidden location. Pine's discovery was monumental: Teddy was not operating alone to continue his father's legacy. Instead, he was working alongside Richard Roper himself, who is very much alive and living under the alias Gilberto Hanson.
Fan Reaction: 'What the F***?!'
The revelation sparked an immediate and fervent reaction from the audience. One stunned fan took to X, formerly Twitter, to exclaim: "The end of episode 3 of The Night Manager?!???!? WHAT THE F***?!??? HOW?!!????" Another viewer praised the episode, writing: "Oh my gosh, who has just watched episode three of series two? It was epic and utterly brilliant."
The consensus among fans was one of delighted shock, with descriptions of the ending ranging from "mad" and "shocking" to "brilliantly twisty." Many expressed that the agonising wait for the next episode now feels even longer due to the cliffhanger's impact.
Behind the Scenes: Casting Tensions Revealed
Ahead of the second season, the show's creator, David Farr, shed light on previously unreported tensions during the making of the first series. Farr revealed that working with Hugh Laurie was "really tricky" initially because the actor "really wanted to play" the lead role of Jonathan Pine.
Laurie had previously tried to option John le Carré's 1993 novel, envisioning himself as the soldier-turned-spy. When Farr finally launched the project, Tom Hiddleston signed on for the lead, and Laurie was cast as Roper. Farr explained that Laurie's notes on the script were not about his own character but about Hiddleston's, which created friction. "I was like, 'Give me a break,'" Farr admitted, though he added that they are "fine now" and described Laurie as a "lovely man, very passionate."
Despite the character's dramatic return, Farr had previously suggested Laurie "isn't in the sequel that much, except in flashback," making his active presence in the present-day narrative an even more significant surprise for viewers. A representative for Hugh Laurie declined to comment on the story.
The unexpected twist has successfully cemented the second season's reputation, convincing fans that the series, after an eight-year hiatus, retains the thrilling quality that made it a hit. All eyes are now on how Jonathan Pine will navigate this game-changing development.
