The Night Manager season 2 ending explained: Writer and director on deaths, romance and season 3

**Warning: contains full spoilers for The Night Manager season 2 episode 6.**

The final episode of The Night Manager season two is intensely difficult to watch and has a lasting impact on the character of Jonathan Pine, played by Tom Hiddleston.

The spy has always been clever and resourceful, managing to escape difficult situations, though usually with a few injuries. However, things have definitely taken a turn for the worse, and he’s no longer as fortunate.

Pine thought he’d escaped his past when he left London, not realizing his old enemy, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), was still out there. Now, Roper has unexpectedly regained power in a particularly brutal way.

Screenwriter David Farr explained that the ending for the character Pine is quite bleak, as he truly believed he could have it all – a trait typical of his personality.

Whether you see it as pride, drive, or genius, this weakness of his – a tendency to cause destruction – has resurfaced again.

If that intense hour of TV left you feeling as drained as we did, we hope you’ll enjoy this conversation with Farr and Georgi Banks-Davies, the director of The Night Manager season 2.

Okay, let me tell you, the creators of the fantastic The Night Manager really break down that shocking season finale. They revisit those unbelievably sad deaths that left us reeling, and surprisingly, they also talk about the sweet, unexpected romance that blossomed. But the best part? They drop a few tantalizing clues about what we can expect if The Night Manager gets a third season – and trust me, you’ll be wanting one!

The Night Manager season 2 ending explained: David Farr and Georgi Banks-Davies speak out

Teddy’s death will break hearts – but there’s an upside

If you were captivated by Diego Calva’s performance as the complex and charismatic Teddy Dos Santos – and I definitely was – then you probably saw this coming. But honestly, even knowing it was likely, the impact of it still really got to me.

Even though Teddy did terrible things, even committed murder, I always sensed a deeply wounded person underneath, someone desperately needing saving. And honestly, for a little while there, I really thought Pine might be the one to reach him – but I’ll get into why that didn’t quite happen in a moment.

I always admired how he managed to make Teddy see his father for who he was – someone who never appreciated him. It was brilliant, really. But it broke my heart that, despite everything, he couldn’t save Teddy when their plan ultimately fell apart. It was a disaster, and he was helpless to stop it.

Honestly, the ending still gets to me. After all that, Roper finally cornered Teddy in the Colombian jungle, and it was just…cold. He basically told Teddy he’d committed the ultimate betrayal by trying to double-cross him, and then, without much emotion, shot him right in the head. It was a brutal, shocking moment, and really cemented how far Roper had fallen.

“Sadly, that character had to meet with disaster to serve the larger story,” Farr explained. “It was crucial for how everything would ultimately resolve, and, strangely enough, it was something I’d known would happen from the beginning.”

For Farr, season two explores the dynamic between fathers and sons, with Roper playing the distant father figure to Danny (Noah Jupe), his potential successor. This creates conflict with Pine, who acts as a substitute, and is heartbreaking for Teddy, who is left feeling like an outcast.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, one positive outcome is that Teddy embarks on a path that Pine and Roxana couldn’t finish, according to the director.

She explained that he fully accepts his past actions and is prepared to face the results, whatever they may be. Despite how sad everyone else is about the situation, she believes he’s found a sense of calm and isn’t as upset as those around him.

Farr explained that the character had been living a false life built around his father, and while discovering the truth is painful, it ultimately sets him free. He sacrifices himself for this newfound freedom, dying more at peace than he ever was while living the lie.

It’s a comforting thought (kind of), but I’ll still be wearing black for the foreseeable future.

Were Teddy and Pine really in love?

Far be it from us to make a sad ending even sadder, but yes.

From the beginning of the season, Pine and Teddy developed a close and unusual connection, going beyond playful antics. This included intimate moments like Pine being held in the water while softly asking to be cleaned, and a passionate dance that quickly made Roxana feel left out.

This plot twist for the character feels true to the style of John le Carré, whose work, as Farr points out, often includes subtle themes of same-sex attraction, even in novels like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

The screenwriter explained he wanted to show a strong, undeniable connection between Pine and Teddy, but their dangerous circumstances meant a relationship could never happen.

The narrative requires a change in direction,” Farr stated, referring to the moment Pine stops pretending to be ‘Matthew Ellis’. “From that point on, Pine’s needs from him become both practical and deeply personal.

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He understands the man is in a difficult situation and believes he might be able to help him, changing the dynamic from something sexual to simply a rescue.

As a film fan, I totally agree with what the director said – there’s a clear connection and affection between the characters. What was really interesting, though, was the effort to portray a relationship where neither person saw it coming. They wanted to capture that surprise, that unexpectedness in the performances, and I think they really achieved it.

Life has a wonderful way of surprising you – sometimes you connect with someone unexpectedly, and it completely takes you by surprise.

Before I even had a chance to ask, she explained something that was clearly on her mind. She anticipated I might wonder if his feelings were fake – if he was just pretending to be attracted to this man, maybe even manipulating him. But she was adamant that wasn’t the case at all. She truly believed he genuinely fell for him, and she wanted me to know that.

“And I think that, in the performance, Tom and Diego believe that.”

Who killed Angela Burr? And more importantly, why?

Just when things seemed to be calming down, the season finale of The Night Manager delivered another shocking blow: Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) was fatally shot at her house.

Just before she was killed, she was urgently recording a voice message, likely detailing everything she knew about the Roper conspiracy.

When Angela was found by her daughter, it looked like the start of a mystery novel – the killer was already gone. However, Detective Farr emphasized that the crucial question isn’t who killed Angela, but why she was chosen as the victim.

He stated that figuring out who actually committed the act isn’t important. In a situation like this, with professional killers involved, no one carries out hits directly. The focus shouldn’t be on the person who physically did it.

Her death will definitely be a major catalyst for what happens next season. We’re moving forward with the story quickly, and her loss will have significant repercussions.

Since the show first aired ten years ago, Olivia Colman has become a hugely famous actress, even winning an Oscar and receiving two more nominations. Do you think her increased success might have influenced the storyline and Angela’s fate?

Farr described the show as a story about Pine and Roper, two legendary characters clashing in a heartbreaking fight for dominance. In the first season, Burr played the role of Pine’s conscience, offering him guidance and support.

In season two, Burr had a less prominent part, and her storyline was complicated by a questionable choice to deceive everyone about Roper being ‘dead’. However, the actress, Colman, appreciated the opportunity to portray her character’s eventual path to redemption.

He explained that both Olivia and her character had a natural lifespan in the story, and keeping it going beyond that point wouldn’t have been compelling. It was a situation where life and art became intertwined in a complex way.

I didn’t want to ask her to take on a small, pleasant part in season 3, like leading a helpful team. Instead, I wanted to give her a powerful, important scene that would really stand out in the story.

Farr explained that her work in the days leading up to her passing will have a lasting impact, adding depth to her overall legacy. He believes these powerful and memorable scenes are ultimately what define the show’s unique quality.

Why does Roper send a rose?

The turning point that dooms many comes when Roper discovers someone is trying to redirect an electromagnetic pulse weapon away from him and his partners in Colombia.

His sneaky plan, a callback to his old ‘shell game’ trick from the first season, leads to Angela’s downfall, almost costs Jonathan his life, and triggers a coup that endangers countless people.

To make matters worse, Roper adds insult to injury by including a single red rose in the fake package. This package is delivered to Sally (Hayley Squires), an associate of Pine, and Consuelo Arbenz (Cristina Umaña Rojas), a lawyer facing difficult challenges.

Farr explained that the story connects to the rose Teddy places on his mother’s grave. He believes that’s the moment Roper understands everything and realizes he’s been betrayed. Farr added that he thinks Roper’s reaction was natural and instinctive, much like his own would have been.

Banks-Davies explained that a rose is a surprisingly complex symbol, essentially conveying a message of appreciation and respect – like acknowledging a good move in a game and offering a handshake to an opponent.

David Farr on those startling real-life parallels

It’s been hard to ignore the parallels between the storyline of The Night Manager season 2 and current events.

While Pine and his supporters worked to stabilize Colombia, Venezuela experienced a similar upheaval, and the United States played a key role in causing it.

Colombia has a democratic government, while Venezuela, under Nicolás Maduro, was ruled by an authoritarian regime. However, some observers believe the Trump administration’s actions weren’t motivated purely by goodwill.

People have observed that Venezuela has huge oil reserves, and US companies are now positioned to profit from them. As Adam Holywell pointed out in episode 4, this could be a very lucrative opportunity – a ‘golden goose’ – for certain private companies.

While the second season of The Night Manager feels surprisingly relevant, creator David Farr emphasizes that South America has long been exploited by outside powers – a history of colonialism spanning centuries and marked by harsh treatment.

After extensive research and conversations with many Colombians, it became apparent they frequently anticipate issues like this,” he explained.

They’re likely less surprised by this than we are, as similar situations have occurred repeatedly in countries like Venezuela and Chile. It’s a pattern that’s played out many times before.

Even with the recent controversial move by the US and the feeling that the UK’s influence on the world is decreasing, Farr is completely confident that Roper would still be portrayed as British if ‘The Night Manager’ were written now.

He explained that a major part of le Carré’s work focused on Britain trying to maintain a global influence that it no longer realistically possesses.

Farr clarified that Roper doesn’t actually represent the British government. He operates on a much larger scale, working with various people and countries without strong loyalties. While he might utilize British connections when it suits him, he’s equally capable of working with others and isn’t particularly dedicated to Britain’s interests.

He genuinely believes he’s acting in Britain’s best interests, but he’s also incredibly tough and calculating – a unique combination. The British government, meanwhile, is focused on maintaining the UK’s influence on the world stage.

What is Mayra’s deal?

In the second season of The Night Manager, MI6 chief Mayra Cavendish (Indira Varma) is a powerful and intimidating presence. She not only gave the order for Basil’s death, but she’s also strongly suspected of being involved in Angela’s murder.

But for a figure with such enormous impact, Mayra remains something of a mystery to viewers.

She unexpectedly took over her important role right after the first season, and immediately blocked Burr’s attempts to investigate Roper after he seemingly died. But what motivates her to protect him?

Farr explains they’ve been holding back some of the character’s story. While the current season has been very busy, he promises there’s more to come, and season 3 will reveal her true motivations.

She clearly has a strong drive and loves her country, but I believe she’s capable of even greater things in the future.

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Farr highlights a tense moment between Roper and Mayra, where Roper cruelly compares her to a frog unaware it’s being slowly boiled. She’s understandably upset by the comment.

The writer hinted at a potentially compelling connection developing between the two characters.

Banks-Davies believes the mystery around Mayra’s character is intentional, designed to avoid making her a typical, one-sided villain often found in thrillers.

Sometimes stories have villains who are simply there to create conflict, and we don’t need to understand why they’re doing what they do. But what’s compelling about Indira and her character, Mayra, is that they make you curious – you genuinely want to learn more about their backgrounds and motivations.

It’s fascinating to see a complete and complex person on screen – a woman with a clear way of thinking, strong values, and a defined sense of self. You’re immediately curious to learn what makes her tick, and that’s really compelling.

Will Roxana return in The Night Manager season 3?

Roxana isn’t really part of our conversation so far, but she’s important because she betrayed Teddy and Pine to protect herself. Will avoiding consequences be the best outcome she ever achieves?

Farr particularly enjoyed the final scene with Roper, explaining that it’s a moment where Roper recognizes she’s his equal – just as strong and uncompromising as he is – and ultimately accepts that she’s not someone he can control.

It’s hard to say for sure, but things seem to be at a turning point for her. She’s overcome a lot, and it’s good to see her in a stable place. I’m not sure if there’s more to her story yet, though.

However, Banks-Davies is a big fan of Roxana, describing her as a captivating and clever character. He notes that she’s motivated by self-interest and always prioritizes her own needs.

She’s a strong character who doesn’t require a male savior. Unlike most, she genuinely confronts Roper, standing up to him – it’s refreshing to see such a woman portrayed on screen.

We’re used to seeing women portrayed as helpers, love interests, or characters who need rescuing, but this character is different. She’s powerful because she can make others believe they’re the heroes, while she’s actually the one taking care of herself – it’s a really strong dynamic.

The Night Manager season 2 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV and streaming drama and comedy for TopMob. Before that, he contributed to Starburst Magazine, hosted the podcast ‘The Winter King’ for ITVX, and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-02-02 01:39