The ultra-popular Tom Hiddleston stars in the title role, and the antagonist is Hugh Laurie, for whom the show was a big comeback after the success of House. As a result, The Night Manager received quite high reviews from critics and viewers. The development of the main character was especially praised, as well as Hiddleston's acting, who evolves from a snob to an engaged and motivated hero. The strong cast and the theme of lying for the sake of good also played into the hands of the creators of the series. The pace of the miniseries did not let the viewer get bored, and the atmosphere was truly captivating.
Of course, after such a first season, many were waiting for a sequel. But it was released only in early January 2026 – 10 years later. Was it worth waiting for the second season? It seems to us that for now it remains a pale shadow of the first.
The creators decided to move away from the spy thriller and towards more personal dramas. The trauma and internal conflict of the main character, who struggles with the consequences, losing control and identity, add a certain humanity to Tom Hiddleston's character, but because of this, he ceases to be the same hero that the audience has come to love so much.
Viewers also immediately noticed a change in the pace of the narrative. While events used to develop more dynamically before, now the first episodes seem too drawn out. For now, we can only hope that in this way the creators are building suspense and will later reward the viewers' patience.
And, of course, Hugh Laurie's absence is also felt immediately. The problem is that comparisons between actors are inevitable, and in the new season the role of the antagonist went to Diego Calvi. Laurie was the reference antagonist, such a classic shadowy figure with his depth and causticity, worthy of Dr. House. On the other hand, Calvi seems a much less clichéd villain, more vulnerable and human, but that's exactly what makes him less interesting.
Another detail that some viewers have noticed is the repetition of certain plot elements. Because of this, the general impression is that the second season lacks the freshness of the first. So, some call the second season of “The Night Manager” predictable and stereotypical, and the new characters, in their opinion, lack the depth that was in the original.
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