Bad guys triumph in final episode of The Night Manager
In a shocking finale of the BBC thriller The Night Manager, the antagonists achieved an unexpected victory, leaving viewers astonished. Alistair Petrie, who portrays Lord Alexander “Sandy” Langbourne, remarked, “It gives it a wonderful kick,” highlighting the rarity of such outcomes in the genre, reports BritPanorama.
The storyline intensified as Jonathan Pine, played by Tom Hiddleston, pursued villain Richard Roper, startlingly revealed to be alive in this new series. Agent Angela Burr, played by Olivia Colman, had misinformed Pine about Roper’s demise, allowing the arms dealer to instigate political upheaval in Colombia by assembling a rebel army, with assistance from MI6 boss Mayra Cavendish (Indira Varma) and Sandy, who was released from prison to aid Roper.
Pine and his team endeavoured to reroute a plane intended to drop weapons, directing it to an airfield where the Colombian media awaited news of Roper’s infiltration. However, the episode concluded with a twist: Roper and his son Teddy duped Pine, sending two planes with deadly supplies, but only one land at the airfield—carrying a solitary red rose. Roper emerged as the victor.
Following the gripping conclusion, the announcement of a third series brought relief to fans. Petrie expressed that the commitment from the BBC and Amazon would allow them to explore an open-ended narrative. He noted uncertainty about the upcoming plot, opting to remain uninformed, expressed by his preference for a degree of mystery regarding Sandy’s future.
Despite portraying a character embroiled in illegal activities, Petrie shared insights about his work on The Night Manager, mentioning that he taps into Sandy’s loyalty to Roper, describing it as both profound and somewhat unsettling. This complex loyalty could lead to consequential developments in the forthcoming season.
A key moment between Sandy and Burr sees him coerced into providing evidence against Cavendish, suggesting a potential twist based on betrayal. Petrie acknowledged the inherent danger in Sandy’s relationship with Roper, noting that loyalty can be tested by differing motivations.
The production of The Night Manager has generated positive memories despite its serious themes. Petrie recounted an amusing experience filming a cab scene in Tenerife, marred by technical mishaps with the only black cab available on the island.
With a decade passing between the first and second series, the returning cast’s status as Hollywood figures illustrates the series’ enduring appeal. Petrie emphasized the collective desire of the cast to return, despite the absence of source material following John le Carré’s involvement.
Additionally, the camaraderie among cast members has fortified their relationships over the years. Petrie expressed admiration for Colman, recalling a humorous incident when dinner plans were upended by her Oscar win for The Favourite.
As anticipation builds for the next season, Petrie assured audiences that The Night Manager will return sooner than a decade, keeping the excitement alive among its dedicated fanbase.
The Night Manager is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
