The Night Manager’s Tom Hollander and co-star Niamh Algar take us inside your next TV adventure

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You know, I’ve always been captivated by Tom Hollander. He’s brilliant at playing complex characters – whether it’s someone fragile like Rev, a literary figure like Capote, a cold villain in The Night Manager, or that wonderfully unsettling guy in The White Lotus. But an action hero? That just doesn’t track! The man *is* Cambridge-educated, an honorary fellow at Selwyn College no less, and he even writes for The Spectator! He’s just too smart, too sophisticated – he’s not built for running and gunning, and honestly, I wouldn’t want him to be.

When Neil Cross, the acclaimed screenwriter of Luther, first imagined the lead role in his new thriller, The Iris Affair, he pictured someone more like a strategist operating from behind the scenes, rather than the physically imposing, action-oriented hero we often see. He envisioned a stressed negotiator, perhaps wearing a cardigan.

Fifty-eight-year-old Tom Hollander stars in a thrilling, eight-part adventure that blends the style of James Bond with the quirky intrigue of *Severance*. The story takes place across Italy and Slovakia, and is filled with clever British humor. Hollander plays Cameron Beck, a brilliant but unconventional expert tasked with saving the world by deciphering a powerful computer’s secrets. He teams up with Iris (Niamh Algar), a resourceful and intelligent codebreaker reminiscent of Lara Croft, who is just as skilled in combat. At one point, she makes a striking entrance from the sea, echoing a classic Bond girl moment.

Iris seems to enjoy life to the fullest. Hollander, on the other hand, tends to use somewhat old-fashioned language – things like saying “swapsies” or “thinking cap” – and often relaxes with a glass of whisky.

We first met on the set while filming at the famous Cinecitta Studios in Rome. Hollander explains that Cameron Beck is passionate about supporting talented individuals. He’s funded the creation of a powerful computer and enjoys games, but now he needs someone to crack a code that will resolve all his issues. The stakes are incredibly high – if Beck can’t unlock the computer with Iris’s help, his life is in danger.

I point out that Hollander often gets cast in roles filmed in Italy, like his part as Quentin in *The White Lotus*, where his character tries to harm Tanya McQuoid. He laughs and agrees it’s great to be back. He jokes about the abundance of pasta, which he has to decline to stay fit, even though he notices Italians stay in excellent shape despite enjoying cake and pasta with every meal.

Neil Cross, who studies classic films – watching at least eight every weekend – believes Tom possesses the qualities of a traditional Hollywood leading man. He explains that Tom can truly understand and perform complex dialogue without it seeming over-the-top. The character of Cameron Beck, Cross says, needs to be both charming and incredibly intelligent.

With Cameron and Iris, I aimed to create a strong connection based on intellectual attraction – how each character is captivated by the other’s mind. This is a common element in Hitchcock’s suspenseful films, but also in classic comedies like ‘It Happened One Night’ and ‘Bringing Up Baby,’ which feature fast-paced, clever dialogue. Tom and Niamh are both very capable of delivering that kind of quick wit.

I wanted to create a TV show that felt classic and sincere, avoiding anything overly clever or self-aware. I was inspired by filmmakers who were considered out of style even back in 1973, and aimed for a simple, direct style of storytelling. I also wanted the show to be undeniably and genuinely glamorous. When presenting the idea to Sky, I emphasized that the main character, Iris, should always be seen in open-top cars, like Grace Kelly, and that the show’s visuals should consistently feature beautiful scenery – blue skies, stunning mountains, and a beautiful lead character.

Algar prefers a realistic, tough approach to his work. He began boxing years ago, which has proven useful because filming fight scenes requires close coordination with the stunt team – you need to be able to take punches and deliver them convincingly.

Beyond the action – the car chases and fights – is there a romantic connection between Iris and Cameron? According to Niamh, Iris is attracted to Cameron’s intelligence and ambition, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that they’re also trying to kill each other!

I’m a huge fan of Terry McDonough, the director – he did amazing work on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, so I had high hopes for this show. And it delivers! Like those other series, I found myself surprisingly rooting for the ‘bad guys’. The writing is really smart, it’s full of twists and turns, and thankfully, it doesn’t rely on just shock value or endless violence to tell the story. It’s just a really well-crafted show.

Hollander’s performance is as subtly complex as it was in The White Lotus. It’s hard to tell if his character is truly a villain or not. Cameron Beck appears manipulative, making you worry for those under his control. But just when you expect the worst – like threats of violence – he’ll unexpectedly say something charmingly British, like “Blimey.” This surprising contrast is strangely comforting, almost like he’s about to offer you a simple, cozy treat like Marmite on toast and a cup of tea.

Hollander excels at playing characters who keep audiences guessing. He often portrays people who initially seem charming, then reveal a darker side. He describes his role in *The White Lotus* as a perfect example – viewers weren’t sure if his character, Quentin, would harm Tanya, and that uncertainty was part of the fun. He explains the show played with the question of ‘Is he good or bad?’ throughout.

I always wondered why he keeps getting these kinds of parts, and he explained it so simply! He basically said it’s because if he takes a role and does a decent job, people will naturally ask him to do more. It’s that simple – good work leads to more opportunities!

Tom Hollander brilliantly embodies contrasting characters – whether it’s the villainous, scheming type, like Dick Dastardly, or the charming and lovable, like Muttley. He excels at playing both roles.

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2025-10-07 03:18