Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Book-based British cloak-and-dagger series thrills.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Night Manager
What's the Story?
Based on John le Carré's popular novel of the same name, the BBC's THE NIGHT MANAGER is a dramatic drama about a former British soldier who's recruited to conduct international espionage. After prominent Nefertiti Hotel guest Sophie Alekan (Aure Atika) shows hotel night manager Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) confidential documents pertaining to the activities of arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), he's recruited by British operative Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) to infiltrate Roper's inner circle. But spying on Roper also means keeping close tabs on his mistress, Jed Marshall (Elizabeth Debicki), while navigating British and U.S. intelligence. As Jonathan travels around the world spying on Roper, he uses his experience as a respected hotelier to his advantage, adopting all manner of personas in an effort to bring the villain down.
Is It Any Good?
This outstanding adaptation of the 1993 bestseller maintains all the mystery, suspense, and, of course, far-flung locations that John le Carré's first post-Cold War novel is known for. Although not as seductive as (and slightly less sexist than) James Bond films, The Night Manager successfully re-creates the steadily rising tensions the detailed narrative is known for. Also compelling are Hiddleston and Laurie's performances, which easily bring to life their characters' charmingly dark rapport with each other.
Fans of the popular book will recognize some of the changes made to the on-screen interpretation, including references to the war in Iraq, the Arab Spring, and Syrian refugees, which were included to make the show more relevant to a post-9/11 audience. But you don't have to read the book or be a fan of le Carré's work to be intrigued by the series. If you're a cloak-and-dagger enthusiast, you won't be disappointed. And even if you aren't, it's still very entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the challenges that come with adapting a book for a TV show or film. Does The Night Manager succeed? Are there other books you think would make a good TV show or film? Any books that wouldn't?
What are some differences between American and British TV shows? Do you have a preference?
Why do you think spy stories are so enduring? What are some of the genre clichés you noticed in The Night Manager, and what sets this apart?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 27, 2016
- Cast : Tom Hiddleston , Hugh Laurie , Olivia Colman
- Networks : AMC , Prime Video
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : February 4, 2026
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