Camila Morrone Talks The Night Manager Series Two

The Smartest Person in The Room

The BBC’s The Night Manager, based on John LeCarre’s novel, returns for a second series this January after quite a gap and here’s one of its cast, Camila Morrone, who plays Roxana Bolaños, talking about the new run…

Can you introduce the character of Roxana?

Roxana is interesting, because on paper, one would expect her to be a certain way, but she’s unpredictable, resilient and brave. She’s only focused on self-preservation and her family. It’s very easy to put her in a femme fatale category, but what’s interesting about Roxana, and what I love about David Farr’s writing, is that she’s not anybody’s toy. She’s the smartest person in the room.

Can you recount your first experience reading David Farr’s script?

David’s writing is so sophisticated. He has the ability to make every character interesting. David has written Roxana so perfectly, never sexualising or undermining her. There’s such suspense to David’s writing too; it’s always surprising. It’s hard to find this level of work, and it has spoiled me in a lot of ways because he really is a genius.

How has it been working with Tom Hiddleston on this project?

Tom is one of the most invested actors I’ve ever worked with. He’s always happy to be there, and he’s in more scenes than anybody. His energy is relentless, and he’s both so focused and prepared. It’s something you can’t fake. Tom is also very genuine and as a scene partner, that’s a beautiful quality to have. He wants to bring something special to the audience.

How do you think Roxana and Pine’s relationship develops across the course of the season?

Roxana and Pine are two very broken people who don’t know how to love but wish that they could. They’re both gamblers, incredibly smart hustlers, addicted to the thrill of the game. The relationship between them becomes more difficult and tangled because it’s a never-ending wheel of trust and betrayal. At the same time, Roxana doesn’t have anyone else to lean on.

Another great dynamic exists between Roxana and Teddy. Can you tell us about working with Diego Calva?

Working opposite Diego is heaven. There is something about him being Mexican and me being Argentinian, and us sharing a language and culture that instantly bonded us. In the same way that Diego and I share this culture, Roxy and Teddy share it too. They have this unspoken understanding of each other. Their relationship is incredibly dangerous, and even though there’s a lot of love, Roxana always knows her place with Teddy. She knows he’s a dangerous man, and that creates a very interesting dynamic.

What was it like to work with your director, Georgi Banks-Davies?

I trusted her so inherently, and I knew that she had such a creative and innovative vision for this, unlike what we’ve seen in this genre before and I still feel that way.

Can you talk about the production design and the wonderful locations? How helpful was that for you to establish the tone of the series?

It was my first time in Colombia and being there helped me to establish Roxana’s roots. Shooting in places such as the houses in Medellin and Cartagena was so beautiful. It was colourful, it felt dangerous, it was hot, and it was sexy. I enjoyed the Colombian portion because for my character, it meant so much to her and is so much of who she is.

Why should audiences see The Night Manager season two, and what do you hope they take away?

If you like shows about danger, espionage, sex, betrayal, love, heartbreak, drama and suspense: The Night Manager is for you. I can’t imagine a person who won’t find something to connect to in The Night Manager. Think of all the elements that season one had, and just blow it up, that’s what audiences can expect of season two.