Director and Executive Producer Georgi Banks-Davies Talks The Night Manager Series Two

Sharing Its DNA With The Original Novel

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 its director and executive producer Georgi Banks-Davies, talking about the new run…

Can you summarise the new season of The Night Manager?

This season shares the same DNA as the first and the original novel, with espionage, secrets, lies, organised crime, and our protagonist Jonathan Pine at the centre of it all.

How did you come to be involved in this project, and what was the initial appeal?

I was already a huge fan, so I was very flattered to be sent the scripts. As soon as it landed in my inbox, I only needed to see the title to know I would absolutely want to direct it! Then, when I read the scripts, I was instantly captivated by what David Farr had done with the advancement of the characters and story ten years later. I was hooked, and knew I had to make this show. Luckily when I then met with the producers, and Tom to share my visions for the show, they seemed to like it, and here we are.

Can you talk to the talents of David Farr and what he has brought to this story?

David effortlessly writes the suspense and atmosphere of a world that is so ingrained in le Carré’s work, but he does it with great characterisation. There are real humans in his stories who are complex, deeply interesting, troubled, and nuanced at the heart of it all.

Did you take much inspiration from the first series?

I have taken inspiration from the incredible acting. I always felt at the heart of the first series, Susanne Bier (series 1 director) was creating a sense of realism and a sense of character that I could relate to. But beyond that, you almost need to ignore what’s come before, because this isn’t a copycat show. It’s not about telling the same story again, in the same way, it’s a whole new world.

How has it been working with lead Tom Hiddleston?

I can’t quite believe that Jonathan Pine came before Tom Hiddleston in the world, because he feels so synonymous with the character, and that is because he is a truly brilliant actor. What Tom brings is all the depths of Pine, who is a man of many facets. He is an impersonator; he allows people to engage with him and trust him in a way that many of us can’t. Tom has the unique ability to put himself in any room and genuinely see a person and engage with them. That’s also Jonathan Pine’s superpower, and what makes him such a brilliant spy, because he really is compelled by what drives people.

Let’s talk about the newcomers, Diego Calva and Camilla Morrone. Can you introduce their characters and tell us about working with these two actors?

Diego plays Teddy Dos Santos, a man who doesn’t know where he belongs in the world. He’s grown up with this sense of broken identity, coming from a broken family. He feels like he doesn’t truly belong in Mexico or Colombia. Diego is such a committed actor when exploring the depths of Teddy, and this conflict inside him. Teddy is a character who on the surface, could appear as our bad guy, but I would argue there is no good and bad. Diego is an actor who approaches everything from an emotional core, which brings a vulnerable and distinctly deep performance, elevating Teddy off the page in such a beautiful, empathic way.

Camila Morrone who plays Roxana is a firework of an actor. She comes at everything with such an incredible amount of energy and commitment. She’s so thorough in her preparation and ready to always excavate every inch of the character. Roxana is a business associate of Teddy Dos Santos, and a linchpin to the story. She is like all great le Carré and David Farr characters, in that she is not as she may appear. A survivor who will do whatever it takes in the name of self preservation. Cami, like Diego, has lifted the character off the page and has found new depths. That’s the magic of working with actors like this, they give you want more than you could ever have imagined. My role is to make them feel safe to be free to explore that.