An acclaimed British actor caused tension behind the scenes of the hit BBC thriller The Night Manager after reportedly coveting the lead role that ultimately went to Tom Hiddleston.
Behind-the-Scenes Tension Revealed
As the series prepares for its highly anticipated second season launch on New Year's Day, a surprising revelation has emerged about the production of the first. Screenwriter David Farr, who adapted John le Carré's 1993 novel, has disclosed that Hugh Laurie was "actually very tricky" to work with during the initial series.
The issue stemmed from Laurie's long-held passion for the project. Farr explained to the Daily Mail that Laurie had previously tried to option the book himself when he was younger because he "really wanted to play" the lead character, Jonathan Pine.
"Then 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 [Richard Roper] – they were all about Tom’s character."
From Conflict to Reconciliation
Farr admitted that, at the time, the situation was frustrating, leading him to think, "Give me a break." However, he was keen to emphasise that any past difficulties are now firmly in the past.
Speaking at an event at London's Blackheath Concert Halls, Farr insisted, "We’re fine now." He reflected, "I think if I’d been more mature, I could have dealt with it better. Hugh is a lovely man, very passionate."
Laurie, who played the villainous arms dealer Richard Roper in season one, was killed off in that series. He will return only briefly in flashbacks for the new season, but serves as an executive producer on the latest episodes.
What to Expect in The Night Manager Season 2
Nearly a decade after the first season captivated over 10 million viewers and won multiple Golden Globes, the sequel arrives on 1 January at 9.05pm on BBC One. With no further source material from le Carré, Farr has continued the story independently, moving the action from the original Arab Spring setting.
Tom Hiddleston, 43, reprises his role as Jonathan Pine, who is drawn back into the dangerous world of espionage after living a quiet life. He is joined once more by national treasure Olivia Colman as Angela Burr, with Alistair Petrie as Sandy Langbourne and Noah Jupe as Pine's now-grown-up son, Daniel Roper.
The new season introduces several fresh faces, including Daisy Jones and the Six actress Camila Morrone, who replaces Elizabeth Debicki as Roxana and is believed to be Pine's primary love interest. The cast also expands to include Diego Calva and Game of Thrones star Indira Varma.
Promotional trailers suggest a raiser tone for the new series, hinting at steamy shower scenes and complex romantic entanglements, including a love triangle for Pine. Metro has contacted Hugh Laurie's representatives for comment regarding Farr's disclosures.
