Huge twist in hit BBC drama The Night Manager as show villain ‘comes back from the dead’ for second series
FROM Dirty Den and Jon Snow to Bobby Ewing and, er, Cindy Beale, only the best TV characters are brought back from the dead.
And I can reveal that arch villain Richard Roper is to make a shock return in the second series of The Night Manager.
The reviled arms dealer, played by Hugh Laurie, was seen at the end of the BBC One thriller’s debut series being dragged away by heavies, apparently to meet his end.
A TV insider said of his comeback, which echoes Bobby’s in Eighties soap Dallas: “Everyone was working on the basis he’d been killed in series one, so this will come as a pleasant surprise.
“It’s only going to crank up the excitement for the much-anticipated sequel, which has already started filming and is expected to air next year.”
Marvel actor Tom Hiddleston has confirmed he is returning as Jonathan Pine, the central hero of John Le Carre’s book, which inspired the 2016 series.
His character was hired by Foreign Office official Angela Burr, played by Olivia Colman, who last week confirmed she is rejoining the cast.
Alistair Petrie will also be back as Lord Alexander “Sandy” Langbourne, who is one of Roper’s very dodgy associates.
The only leading actress absent is Elizabeth Debicki. She is not due to reprise the role of Jed, who was in a love triangle with Pine and Roper.
Instead, US model Camila Morrone has signed up to play a similar role.
Another big name who will not be featuring is the brilliant Tom Hollander as Roper’s menacing right-hand man Corky, as he got beaten to death by Pine in the first series.
To be fair, two characters returning from the grave would probably be a bit much for one show.
DRAGON CHILLS OUT
STEVEN BARTLETT is used to giving poor business ideas the cold shoulder on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den.
But the entrepreneur and podcaster got the chills himself when he encountered Iceman Wim Hof and took a dip in a freezing bath.
Dragon Steven met the extreme athlete and motivational speaker for a new episode of his Diary Of A CEO podcast.
Wim, who fronted BBC One’s reality show Freeze The Fear, scaled Everest in his underwear and holds the world record for full-body contact with ice.
He put Steven to the test after teaching him techniques to push out pain.
The episode, available on YouTube and podcasting streamers today, also sees Wim talk about his record-breaking experiences and famous breathing method.
MOD DUO HUNT FOR ANTIQUES
PHIL DANIELS and LESLIE ASH rekindled their friendship for a Quadrophenia special of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, I can reveal.
The actors who starred in the 1979 film about Sixties mods swap their scooters for classic cars to go on the hunt for auction collectables.
They have already filmed their episode of the show, which will return to BBC Two and iPlayer this autumn.
The Traitors duo Paul Gorton and Harry Clark are also heading out on their own trip.
A source said: “This may be the 13th series of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip but the booking team have had nothing but good luck when securing big-name guests.
“So many stars from across the showbiz spectrum are clamouring to take part, and bosses are confident this year’s line-up could be one of the best yet.”
MARGOT: MY GIN IS A TONIC
HOLLYWOOD A-lister Margot Robbie says making and selling her own gin brand has become a welcome break from the stresses of movies.
The former Neighbours actress has launched the tipple called Papa Salt with producer husband Tom Ackerley.
Margot, who starred in and helped produce last summer’s film blockbuster Barbie, told The Times Magazine: “Movies are a crazy business where you are selling something that isn’t tangible.
“You have no idea how much it’s going to make, who’s going to see it, if they’ll see it or how it will be received.
“This (the gin) feels a lot more straightforward.
“It’s easier to predict things – you can lay things out on a spreadsheet in a way you can’t with a movie idea.
“But our passions are movies and drinks, and now we’ve ticked them both.”
SURANNE TEARS AT ‘WITCHES’
IT was an emotional rollercoaster for Suranne Jones as she delved into the stories of women persecuted for witchcraft.
In the first part of her new documentary last night, the Gentlemen Jack actress got teary as she learned about the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612 when mums, daughters, and wives were put to death.
Suranne said: “It was emotional to hear all these stories. Even today, there’s a mistrust of women who have opinions, especially those that run counter to mainstream beliefs.
Looking at the witch trials you’re thinking, ‘Oh my god, this is extreme’, but misogyny still exists, we’re in 2024 and it’s on the rise again because of the internet.”
The second part of Channel 4’s Investigating Witch Trials is on Sunday at 9pm.
MATT HAS A TASTE FOR TELLY
DATING show couple Matt and Maria want more time in the TV spotlight after a fairytale ending on The Nevermets.
The Channel 4 series sees long-distance lovers turn their virtual romance into reality as they meet for the first time.
After three years, Warrington factory supervisor Matt finally met his girlfriend Maria, from the Philippines, on last week’s episode.
He said: “We’ve been lucky and not had any negative comments from viewers. I’d like for us to go on TV again. I’m normally quiet and shy and had to get used to having all these people around me with cameras. Now it’s really easy.”
Maria added: “I’m still learning about all that but there’s so much for me to do now I’m here in the UK.”
lPEEP Show actors Robert Webb and Isy Suttie are reuniting for a new CBBC sitcom called High Hoops.
It follows a hopeless school basketball team, the Midvale Vipers, and their aspirations of fame, love and success with the arrival of a tall, gaffe-prone but unstoppable player.
lTHERE are more hidden treasures to be uncovered as Millionaire Hoarders returns for a second series.
The show, which sees experts Kiri, Clive, Paula and Rachel uncovering high-priced valuables, will have an extended run of eight episodes when it comes back on Channel 4.