Night Manager Producer Says Trump Would Dislike Show's 'Woke' Themes
Simon Cornwell, the producer and son of acclaimed author John le Carré, has made a striking comment about former US President Donald Trump potentially watching the second season of The Night Manager. In an interview with The Times, Cornwell quipped that he would be "arrested on entry" to the United States if Trump viewed the latest instalment of the spy thriller.
Political Contrasts in Reception
The remark highlights a stark contrast in political reception for the series. When the first season aired in 2016, during Barack Obama's presidency, it was reportedly screened at the White House. Cornwell noted that Trump, however, would find the show "profoundly not his thing," citing its exploration of "woke, liberal positions." This refers to the season's plot, which follows Jonathan Pine, played by Tom Hiddleston, as he uncovers institutional corruption and arms trafficking in Colombia.
Cornwell elaborated that the series "sheds light on a world that he's part of," implying Trump's familiarity with such themes. Historically, Trump has expressed enjoyment of television portrayals of himself, such as on Saturday Night Live in 2015, though he later distanced himself from the show after it parodied his administration.
Expanding the Le Carré Universe
The second season of The Night Manager marks a significant departure, as it ventures beyond John le Carré's original source text. Screenwriter David Farr has become the first non-family member entrusted with crafting a story within the author's universe. Cornwell assured that such deviations are not new; even the first season strayed "a long way from the book," but with his father's active encouragement before le Carré's death in December 2020.
Future of the Series Confirmed
As the second season concludes this weekend, fans have received positive news about the show's future. Tom Hiddleston confirmed that The Night Manager will return for a third series, reassuring viewers that the wait will not mirror the decade-long gap between the first and second seasons. Hiddleston explained that the story was conceived as a twelve-episode arc, allowing for greater narrative scope, and expressed satisfaction with the trilogy format, stating, "It's booked in. We're going to do it."
The finale of season two airs on Sunday, 1 February, on BBC One and iPlayer, setting the stage for the anticipated continuation of this critically acclaimed drama.
