The producer behind the acclaimed spy thriller The Night Manager has made a striking claim about former US President Donald Trump's potential reaction to the show's second season. Simon Cornwell, son of the late espionage author John le Carré, suggested he would face arrest upon entering the United States if Trump were to watch the latest instalment.
A Political Lightning Rod
In an interview with The Times, Cornwell was asked whether Trump would dislike the series because it "sheds light on a world that he's part of." The producer responded emphatically: "Exactly, and expounds all kinds of woke, liberal positions." This candid remark highlights the show's perceived political alignment and its exploration of themes that might clash with Trump's worldview.
Contrasting Presidential Viewing Habits
The conversation drew a sharp contrast between different presidential administrations. When The Night Manager first aired in 2016, Barack Obama was in the White House and reportedly held a screening of the show. When questioned about whether Trump might follow suit with season two, Cornwell was dismissive, stating the programme "would be profoundly not his thing."
This assessment finds support in Trump's previously stated television preferences. Back in 2015, he told People magazine that his "guilty pleasure" was watching himself appear on Saturday Night Live, boasting about the show's ratings and his enjoyment of the experience. However, his affection for the programme later soured following a series of sketches parodying his administration.
Expanding the Le Carré Universe
The second season of The Night Manager represents a significant departure from its source material, venturing beyond John le Carré's original text. Screenwriter David Farr has become the first non-family member trusted with creating a story within the author's expansive universe, marking a notable development in the adaptation's evolution.
Cornwell addressed concerns about these creative liberties, noting that even the first season had deviated "a long way from the book." He was quick to reassure fans that these changes were made "not only with my dad's blessing, but his active encouragement." John le Carré, who passed away in December 2020 at age 89 after a brief illness, apparently supported the television adaptation's creative direction.
A Trilogy in the Making
As the second season concludes this weekend, star Tom Hiddleston has confirmed exciting news for fans. The actor revealed that The Night Manager will return for a third series in the near future, reassuring viewers that the wait won't mirror the decade-long gap between the first and second seasons.
"We always constructed this one as the beginning of a twelve episode story," Hiddleston explained. "Actually, it gave us greater scope in terms of imagining where the story might go." He added philosophically: "I think we like trilogies. There's something satisfying about trilogies narratively... It's booked in. We're going to do it."
Season Two's Concluding Chapter
The current season follows Jonathan Pine, portrayed by Hiddleston, as he navigates a complex web of institutional corruption and arms trafficking in Colombia. The sixth and final episode airs on Sunday, 1 February at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer, bringing this chapter of the espionage saga to a temporary close while setting the stage for future developments.
Cornwell's comments about Trump highlight how television drama can intersect with real-world politics, particularly when shows tackle themes of power, corruption, and institutional accountability. The producer's humorous yet pointed remark about potential arrest underscores the polarized nature of contemporary political discourse and how entertainment media can become embroiled in these divisions.
