‘The Night Manager’ – Season One – Review
With the announcement that Tom Hiddleston is set to return to the world of high stakes espionage withe second season of The Night Manager, I thought it prudent to return to Season One of this high-stakes, deftly plotted and intrigued spy thriller, and as re-watch it doesn’t disappoint with its delivery of high-stakes espionage, suave charm, and jet-setting intrigue wrapped in a dangerously seductive package, then The Night Manager is exactly the kind of show that demands your attention.
The night manager of a Cairo hotel is recruited to infiltrate an arms dealer’s inner circle.
Based on the John le Carré novel of the same name, this sleek six-part limited series delivers all the elegance and adrenaline of a classic spy thriller, reimagined for a modern audience, and it absolutely smoulders. With Tom Hiddleston stepping into the lead as the dashing yet emotionally wounded Jonathan Pine, The Night Manager is a slow-burning cocktail of international danger, covert operations, and razor-sharp seduction. This isn’t just a spy story; it’s a battle of wills and identities, played out across some of the world’s most breathtaking backdrops, from Cairo’s decadent nightlife to the icy sophistication of the Swiss Alps and the sun-soaked coastlines of Mallorca.
Let’s not beat around the bush, The Night Manager is Tom Hiddleston’s audition reel for James Bond, and what an audition it is. As Pine, Hiddleston oozes charisma, confidence, and a quiet intensity that’s both magnetic and menacing. A former British soldier turned luxury hotel manager, Pine is drawn into the dangerous world of illegal arms dealing when he’s recruited by the British intelligence agency to infiltrate the inner circle of billionaire arms dealer Richard Roper.
Pine is a fascinating character: equal parts refined and ruthless. Hiddleston handles the duality with masterful control, seamlessly switching between gentlemanly elegance and cold-eyed spy work. Whether he’s slipping into a tuxedo for a lavish dinner or landing a brutal punch in a Moroccan alleyway, he keeps you utterly riveted.
Opposite Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie turns in a career-defining performance as Richard Roper, a villain who’s all smiles, charm, and tailored suits… but underneath lies a predator with a taste for chaos. Laurie crafts Roper with exquisite detail, portraying him as the kind of man you can’t help but like, even when he’s ordering a massacre or manipulating global markets. It’s a chilling, intelligent performance that brings a grounded menace to the series.
The cat-and-mouse game between Pine and Roper is the real engine of The Night Manager, and every scene they share crackles with tension. There’s a sense that either man could devour the other at any moment, and that ambiguity keeps things deliciously unpredictable.
The Night Manager is visual luxury at its finest. Director Susanne Bier; who won an Emmy for her work on the series, crafts a sleek, cinematic world where every detail counts. From bespoke tailoring and crystal-clear martinis to million-dollar villas and covert helicopters, there’s an opulence to the show that feels positively intoxicating.
But it’s not just eye candy. The series has substance beneath the style, diving into morally murky waters and examining the price of complicity and corruption. Every character is playing a game within a game, and as Pine delves deeper into Roper’s world, the question of how far he’s willing to go becomes ever more pressing.
Olivia Colman brings a gritty counterbalance to all the elegance as intelligence officer Angela Burr, whose crusade against Roper is deeply personal. Her determination and sharp wit give the show a strong emotional backbone, and her chemistry with Hiddleston adds a layer of urgency to the mission.
There’s a reason The Night Manager made waves when it first dropped; it’s the perfect blend of old-school espionage and modern prestige television. With only six episodes, it never overstays its welcome. Instead, it builds its plot with precision, escalating the stakes until the final, pulse-pounding confrontation that’s as satisfying as it is stylish.
It’s the kind of series that gets under your skin. You’re drawn in by the glamour, the seduction, and the razor-sharp tension—but you stay for the powerhouse performances and the delicious slow-burn storytelling.
The Night Manager is a prestige spy drama done right. With Tom Hiddleston in full leading-man mode, a chilling turn from Hugh Laurie, and a globe-trotting plot full of secrets, seduction, and sabotage, this series is a masterclass in modern espionage storytelling. Think Bond meets Bourne with a dash of Succession, and the result is intoxicating.
If you’re craving something stylish, cerebral, and suspenseful, The Night Manager is the high-class spy fix you’ve been waiting for. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself pouring a martini, checking your passport, and dreaming of danger in the Mediterranean.
Stream The Night Manager Season One NOW on Prime Video.
Season Two of The Night Manager will arrive on Prime Video on January 11.
