- - Tom Hiddleston on why seduction rules 'The Night Manager' Season 2

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYJanuary 12, 2026 at 4:15 AM

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"The Night Manager" spy series was a major TV hit for Tom Hiddleston way back in 2016.

Adapted by playwright David Farr from spy master John le Carré's 1993 novel of the same name, the April 2016 AMC series earned the Marvel Cinematic Universe star a Golden Globe for best actor in a limited series, and fueled discussion around Hiddleston as a potential James Bond.

So why did it take a decade for Hiddleston, 44, to star in Season 2 of "The Night Manager" (Episode 1 now streaming on Prime Video), more than five years after le Carré's Dec. 2020 death?

Tom Hiddleston stars in "The Night Manager" Season 2 with Camila Morrone, who plays American businesswoman Roxana in Colombia.

"That's a good question," Hiddleston tells USA TODAY with a chuckle, explaining that "The Night Manager" story cupboard was bare.

"In 2016, there was a singular John le Carré novel to adapt. And we adapted it. So there was no sequel," says Hiddleston. "When we made it, we had expected it to be a complete story."

The spy master whispered of a 'Night Manager' sequel in 2016

The original series followed former British soldier Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston), the night manager at Cairo's five-star Queen Nefertiti Hotel, who is drawn into a covert operation, aided by a British intelligence officer (Olivia Colman). Pine sought to bring down international arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), a terrible human posing as a humanitarian.

Even made as a one-off, "The Night Manager" seemed poised to break out into a TV franchise. After premiering to raves at the Berlin Film Festival in Feb. 2016, le Carré met up for a "rendezvous" with Hiddleston at the hotel bar, where all great spy discussions take place.

Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine in "The Night Manager" Season 2.

"With a twinkle in his eye, John le Carré himself said 'Perhaps we might do some more,'" Hiddleston recalls.

But it took years to find the right story, even with le Carré (real name David Cornwell) passing on his blessing to his sons, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, to develop the series after his death. In late 2020, Farr had a wildly vivid dream envisioning a black car driving through the Colombian mountains, en route to a monastery. The powerful vision, right after the famed author's passing, pushed the story forward.

"It was literally just after (le Carré's death), and the idea came in the most strange way," says Farr. "But I knew I had a story and how to weave this into what happened in Season 1. Suddenly, an energy arrived, and we decided to make it."

The new season is billed as "inspired by John le Carré."

What happens in Season 2 of 'The Night Manager'?

In Season 2, Pine (Hiddleston) has a new identity and tries to live a normal life in England, eight years after Roper was declared dead following the arms dealer's Season 1 arrest by Egyptian police.

Pine, who struggles with the ghosts of his past, leads a surveillance group called The Night Owls and is meant to stay out of the action. But he's drawn into a deadly Colombian drama involving a new ruthless arms dealer posing as a humanitarian, Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva), and Roxana (Camila Morrone), an American businesswoman.

Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, Camila Morrone as Roxana and Diego Calva as Teddy in Season 2 of "The Night Manager," on Prime Video.

With Pine assuming a wealthy playboy identity to expose Santos, the undercover work requires partying, cocaine use, champagne swilling, and sexual relationships. The seductions are not just for ratings. They're vital spy work, says Hiddleston.

"Spies deal in secrets and lies, seduction and betrayal, and where is the truth?" says Hiddleston. "Le Carré was fascinated by the intimacy required to get secrets from people. He always said, 'If you want to know the truth, you have to get close to people and earn their trust. And if you want to win people's trust, you have to seduce them. But you're playing with fire.'"

Why is the series still called 'The Night Manager' without hotel employment?

Pine worked at two world-class hotels in Season 1, but has left his titular hospitality jobs behind him in Season 2. However, "The Night Manager" remains the title, following the spy who now stays in luxury hotels that can change just as easily as his identity.

"It's a beautiful title, but now it's more metaphorical," says Hiddleston. "He's managing the darkness in the world and the darkness within himself. He has the courage to go under fire, in immense solitude, into the shadows of the night to uncover truth and chase it down."

The Jan. 9 AFI Awards brought out the awards seasons big stars including Ariana Grande, director Chloé Zhao and Jessie Buckley. Here are the best shots of the star-filled lunch.

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'The Night Manager' will not be delayed again

There will be no more decade-long delays after Season 2, which instantly garnered strong reviews. Season 3 has already been greenlit, with Farr writing the script. The season will likely air after Hiddleston's screen return as demigod Loki in "Avengers: Doomsday" (Dec. 18). After all the spywork, Hiddleston says he slid right into the constricting outfit for the Marvel reunion.

"I'm pleased to say it still fits; time has not been unkind to me in that department," says Hiddleston. "It was an amazing experience to be part of that ensemble. It's a big film, with big ambition."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tom Hiddleston on the need for seduction in 'Night Manager' Season 2

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