‘The Night Manager’ Episode 1 Review: Outstanding Cast & A Promising Story

The Night Manager – Drama done right again…

BBC One are treating us to some seriously compelling drama this year and with Tom Harper‘s epic WAR & PEACE finishing a few weeks ago, its Sunday night slot is ready to be taken over by new series The Night Manager directed by Susanne Bier. Boasting an all star cast and adapted by David Far from the novel by John le Carré, THE NIGHT MANAGER tells the story of former British soldier Johnathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) as he is recruited by intelligence operative agent Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) to infiltrate the inner circle of arms dealer Richard Onslow Roper (Hugh Laurie); dealing with Roper’s girlfriend Jed (Elizabeth Debicki) and his associate Corcoran (Tom Hollander). 

With slick Bond style credits, we’re immediately introduced to the daring world of espionage and it cleverly places us in the correct mind frame to uncover all kinds of secrets. We begin in Cairo, Egypt January 2011 with chaos on the streets. Screaming, rioting and gunfire plaster the screen with intensity as we get a first glimpse at Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine. The juxtaposing images of Cairo in terrifying dispute against the seductive luxury of the hotel are instinctively jarring and immediately grabs our attention.

The night manager and former soldier’s interests are peaked when he is given sensitive documents that prove the purchase of copious amounts of heavy duty weapons by a Freddie Hamid (David Avery) through Iron Last Limited, a company owned by Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie). He travels to the British Embassy to visit his friend Simon (Russell Tovey) to voice his concerns. We’re next transported to London and the International Enforcement Agency where we’re introduced to Angela Burr as she receives the information from Pine’s connections.

Meanwhile, the courteous Brit begins to witness the incredible horrors that have already been inflicted on those caught up in the dangerous weapons deal and we too are able to understand the kind of trouble we’re beginning to find our protagonist in. David Avery’s Freddie Hamid ups the tension in just the first twenty minutes of the episode as he forces his way into Pine’s hotel demanding to see his mistress. He gives a chilling performance as we find ourselves so close to the edge of our seats so quickly in the series.  

The generosity and genuine nature of Pine’s character is showcased as he helps Hamid’s mistress, Sophie Alekan (Aure Atika), escape the clutches of her deranged lover. He’s quickly seduced by her mix of confidence and vulnerability and they find themselves basking in the glorious glow of ruffled bed sheets and hazy sunlight warming naked bodies.

London sees a frustrated Burr clash with her colleagues about what to do with her new found information. She is desperate to put Roper’s name to the documents, but the powers that be clearly have higher authority; Roper’s name is one of great power and fear. As always, Colman is a force of acting nature and we’re immediately completely fond of her character. With Burr originally depicted as a man, it’s wonderful to see her shine in a role such as this and it’s with great anticipation we wait to see more of her as the bolshy, brilliant agent.  

Pine is equally frustrated with the fate of this precocious information as Roper is tipped of about the deals awareness and despairs at the need to get Sophie out of the country, even though it practically admits her own guilt. He soon realises that it is simply not an option. Pine desperately runs through the beautiful hotel to save her from the hands of Hamid but instead finds her delicate body covered in bright red slashes of blood. When the police arrive, Pine soon realises that there will be no direct justice for Sophie as the Hamid name holds too much importance in Cairo. 

Four years have passed and our protagonist opens his door to the stunning scenery of Switzerland, the snowy mountains and breathtaking views make his home now. With a new, magically glowing hotel his place of work, Pine is shaken to see that Roper himself will be checking into the hotel with a mysterious parcel waiting for his arrival. Arriving by helicopter, Roper strides across the blanket of snow with villainous importance. 

Laurie is immediately, hideously charming in the way only a dastardly British villain can be, but below that charm, it’s quite clear there is a very dark and very dangerous side to him. Sitting on his arm is the beautiful Jed (Elizabeth Debicki) and beside him his number two Corcoran (Tom Hollander). The relationship between Roper and Pine is wonderfully tense from the outset and it’s clear there’s a real mix of hatred and fear radiating from Pine. 

The first episode begins to conclude with a wonderful scene between Roper and Pine as they share the icy air outside the hotel. The night looms above them in that brief scene, Switzerland’s starry canopy holding up the tension and drama that is to come from the series. The final scene sees Pine sit down with Burr to discuss the issues at hand, Pine making it clear he wants nothing to do with what is to come. It seems Burr has a different plan for our Pine. 

Susanne Bier does a brilliant job of directly this first episode and only promises more brilliant drama to come. It’s moody, bleak but the fabulous locations give a wonderful juxtaposing sense of glamour that aids to the traditional sense of sleuth story telling. Hiddleston proves again to be a bewitching performer, with his natural talent and charm pumping life and likability to Pine’s character. The cast is outstanding and the story appears more than promising and so it is with baited breath we wait for next weeks episode for more espionage drama.

Bravo, BBC One. Drama done right again. 

Verdict

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