‘The Night Manager’ Is the Best Anti-Bond Spy Series Available

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Tom Hiddleston’s series, The Night Manager, feels like the television equivalent of a James Bond movie. It shares many of the same elements – a charming and attractive lead actor, stunning international locations, a complex and beautiful female character, and even a bold theme song with an opening sequence reminiscent of the iconic gun barrel shot. While based on a John le Carré novel, it’s more similar in style to action-packed Bond films like Casino Royale and Dr. No than to Le Carré’s more subdued works like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy or The Russia House. It prioritizes exciting action and spectacle just as much as in-depth character development.

Despite its thrilling moments, The Night Manager isn’t just light entertainment. While acknowledging the style of famous spy stories like James Bond, the show carves its own path, exploring a more realistic and emotionally driven narrative. Throughout the current season, the protagonist, Jonathan Pine (played by Tom Hiddleston), insists he’s moved on, but he’s still haunted by his past. He can’t shake the complex feelings he developed for his former target, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), whom he investigated, befriended, and ultimately betrayed. When Pine goes undercover with another dangerous arms dealer, Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva), he finds himself repeating the same patterns.


BBC/Prime Video

A character like Pine would feel right at home in a James Bond movie – he’s charming, has a way with people, and can easily escape dangerous situations. He’s also not opposed to a romantic entanglement with anyone who crosses his path, and this season that’s Roxana Bolaños (played by Camila Morrone), a Colombian businesswoman with a complicated relationship. However, The Night Manager is more about the psychological toll of espionage than just thrilling action. The show delves into what happens to someone whose job requires them to befriend their enemies. Pine is exceptionally skilled at convincing people he’s on their side, and this ability deeply troubles him. The series asks: what kind of person can so convincingly fake friendship as a profession? A typical action movie wouldn’t have the time to explore these kinds of questions the way a six-hour television season can.

Most spy stories fall into one of two categories: glamorous adventures like James Bond or realistic thrillers like the Bourne series. The Night Manager stands out by blending these two approaches. A key part of what makes it feel grounded is the support team helping the main character, Pine. While he’s navigating a dangerous world of luxury and deception, technicians Basil Karapetian and Sally Price-Jones are handling the behind-the-scenes work – making crucial phone calls and creating believable cover stories. This highlights the fact that real espionage is rarely a solo operation, despite how it’s often portrayed in movies.


Prime Video

Despite being connected to the James Bond franchise through Amazon, The Night Manager feels like its opposite. The show masterfully balances lighthearted, scenic moments with intense, character-driven drama, often switching between the two within a single scene. It plays with familiar spy story elements, subverting expectations by highlighting overlooked details and keeping viewers guessing. Ultimately, that’s what makes a great spy story compelling.

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This doesn’t mean action-packed spy movies or realistic, character-focused espionage stories are going away. Both will always have a place. However, The Night Manager shows that the most compelling spy stories blend the two – offering both thrilling action and exploring the moral struggles of the characters involved. The series demonstrates you can build an exciting plot around a character grappling with their own conscience. For example, a key moment early on shows Pine pleading with Teddy to ‘make him clean,’ creating a powerful bond. While Pine is acting, his desperation feels genuine – and that’s often where the most convincing lies come from.

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2026-01-26 02:50