BBC drama is on a roll at the moment. The almighty War & Peace finished the other week in stunning style. Happy Valley is back on spectacular form on Tuesday nights, and now here’s another superb series, combining a riveting John (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) Le Carré story, a truly impressive cast and beautiful direction by filmmaker Susanne Bier (Love Is All You Need).
It all kicks off back in the Arab spring, when revolution is occurring in Egypt and our hero Pine (Tom Hiddleston) is working as a night manager in a swanky Cairo hotel.
When one of the guests asks him a favour, he immediately gets involved in a deadly world of arms dealing, industrial espionage and Very Bad People. The opening episode is a masterclass in establishing a group of characters and a complex story.
And episode two will smack you between the eyes. Oh, and Russell Tovey pops up in only two scenes. But what fine scenes they are.
Meet The Cast
Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie)
Dubbed “the worst man in the world”, he’s a ruthless arms dealer.
Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston)
Handsome hotel manager who gets embroiled with the dodgy people working with Roper.
Jed (Elizabeth Debicki)
Roper’s beautiful girlfriend, who has secrets of her own.
Burr (Olivia Colman)
British intelligence operative determined to unearth Roper’s secrets.
Corcoran (Tom Hollander)
Roper’s slick, sarcastic best mate and number two in his business.
Watch The Night Manager on Sunday at 9pm, BBC 1.