"An irresistible new chapter": Inside The Night Manager's "ambitious" series 2 after 8-year hiatus

When the BBC announced in April last year that a second series of The Night Manager was on its way, we were just a little bit (that's an understatement) excited. Eight years on from that explosive finale, we can still remember it like it was yesterday.

Despite the show's incredible reception, the makers of the series weren't exactly quick to push out a follow-up series, but filming is finally underway on an irresistible new chapter - and we can confirm, it's set to be pretty ambitious.

Last October, Tom Hiddleston, who's reprising his role as ex-soldier Jonathan Pine, was spotted filming in the Spanish city of Sitges, just south of Barcelona. The star has also previously been seen filming in London's Richmond-upon-Thames, with none other than Hugh Laurie, who plays arms dealer Richard Roper.

At the end of series 1, we saw Tom's character, Jonathan, foil Richard's (Hugh Laurie) arms deal. So, what does this mean for what's next? Is this villain back from the dead? Hopefully it won't be long before we find out!

Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, has said "the scale and ambition behind the new season will take it to even greater heights" - suggesting we've got rather a look to look forward to. Ahead of The Night Manager's return to our screens, here's everything you need to know about series 2.

When was The Night Manager series announced?

In April 2024, Charlotte Moore, the BBC's Chief Content Officer, said: "After years of fervent speculation, I’m incredibly excited to confirm that The Night Manager is returning to the BBC for two more series."

But even back in 2019, the rumour mill had already started, when Susanne Bier, who directed series one, told Radio Times that while she won’t be at the helm of series two, the process of making it was in motion.

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"I’m not doing Night Manager 2. I wasn’t sure that I would do my very best work the second time round – so I decided that I should probably not do it and have somebody [else direct it]," she said.

"I just got worried that I would repeat myself or do something which wasn’t as great, but I think somebody else is going to do an amazing job out of it."

The Cast of The Night Manager

It has since been confirmed that series 2 will be helmed by BAFTA-winning director Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls), and show creator David Farr is once again in the writing seat.

Who's in the cast of The Night Manager series 2?

The BBC has confirmed that Olivia Colman will be reprising her role as Angela Burr - hurrah! "Olivia Colman’s award-winning role as Angela Burr in the first series of The Night Manager was unforgettable and we are over the moon that she is back alongside Tom Hiddleston," Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said.

Alongside Olivia, Tom Hiddleston will return as hotel night manager Jonathan Pine, along with Alistair Petrie as Sandy Langbourne, Douglas Hodge as Rex Mayhew, Michael Nardone as Frisky and Noah Jupe as Daniel Roper. Hugh Lauries is also expected to return as Richard Roper.

They join leads Diego Calva (Babylon, Narcos: Mexico), Emmy Award nominee Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six), Indira Varma (Obsession, Obi-Wan Kenobi), Paul Chahidi (Wicked Little Letters, The Serpent Queen) and Hayley Squire

What will happen in The Night Manager series 2?

The BBC has confirmed that the characters in series 2 will continue to be inspired by those in John le Carré's best-selling novel. However, given that series one was based on a standalone book, excitingly, anything could happen in the next series!

Stephen Garrett, who was lead Executive Producer on the first season said: “The best dramas all have at their core some version of the family, and the first season of The Night Manager was no exception. It’s thrilling that our riotously dysfunctional family is now, after 8 years apart, reunited for season 2."

Meanwhile, Lindsay Salt promised that the second series will "provide even more drama, glamour, intrigue and suspense.”

How can I watch The Night Manager series 2?

While there's currently no confirmed released date for The Night Manager series two, we do know that it will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and globally on Prime Video, at some point in 2025. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here. In the meantime, you can stream the first series of The Night Manager on BBC iPlayer.