Star of BBC thriller returning for season 2 after 8-year hiatus is being ‘replaced’-Ruth Lawes and Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

The Night Manager is returning to the BBC for two new series’ (Picture: BBC/The Ink Factory/Mitch Jenkin)

The Night Manager fans are in a state of ecstasy after the BBC finally announced its return to our screens after an eight-year absence, but one star is reportedly being replaced.

Last month, the broadcaster confirmed it had commissioned not one but two new series of the blockbuster crime drama.

Loki actor Tom Hiddleston, 43, will be reprising his role as Jonathan Pine, while Hugh Laurie is serving as executive producer, but it’s now been claimed The Crown’s Elizabeth Debicki will not be returning.

Instead, the 33-year-old is said to be replaced by 26-year-old model Camila Morrone – a former girlfriend of Leonardo DiCaprio.

An insider said: ‘While many of the big names involved in the first series will be returning for the second, Camila is a sensational new addition.

‘Tom is now eight years older than he was when he first played the leading man in The Night Manager but Camila is the same age that Elizabeth was when she first appeared on the show in 2016.

‘She is 17 years younger than the show’s star.’

Camila Morrone is said to be starring in the new series (Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

The Daisy Jones & The Six actress previously dated Leonardo DiCaprio (Picture: Theo Wargo/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)

It’s been claimed Camila is replacing Elizabeth Debicki (Picture: Amy Sussman/WireImage)

They went on to The Sun: ‘Of course, bosses could have opted for an actress who was now in their 30s or 40s but — much like DiCaprio — they seem to prefer a younger model.’

The Titanic actor reportedly dated Camila from 2017, before she went on to star in hit series Daisy Jones & The Six.

Other cast members have not been confirmed for The Night Manager’s return but the first season starred the likes of The White Lotus’ Tom Hollander, David Harewood and Olivia Colman.

The BBC is also keeping quiet on the plot but teased the show will pick up with Jonathan Pine eight years after the explosive finale of season one.

Fans on X were losing their minds over the prospect of more Night Manager when it was announced last month, with Alex exclaiming: ‘Finally took them long enough.’

Tom will be reprising his role as Jonathan Pine (Picture: BBC)

The show will pick up eight years after the explosion in season 1 (Picture: AMC)

Echoing Alex’s sentiment, Giovanni Lago squealed: ‘I’ve been waiting years for this. The first season of The Night Manager is exceptional television.’

Simon Ward added: ‘Wow, The Night Manager is coming back for two more series with Tom Hiddleston. It’s a co-production with BBC and Prime Video. Georgi Banks-Davies (I Hate Suzie, Paper Girls) will direct all six episodes of series two.’

Their enthusiasm was shared by lead actor Tom who described the show as ‘one of the most creatively fulfilling projects I have ever worked on.’

He continued: ‘The depth, range and complexity of Jonathan Pine was, and remains, a thrilling prospect.

‘I’m so looking forward to reuniting with Simon and Stephen Cornwell, David Farr and  Stephen Garrett, and to working with Georgi Banks-Davies to tell the next chapter of our story. I can’t wait.’

The first season was one of the most-watched shows in the UK in 2016 (Picture: BBC/The Ink Factory/Des Willie)

The Night Manager is based on the novel of the same name by John le Carré, the author behind espionage dramas such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

Season on followed Pine, the night manager of a luxury hotel in Cairo and former British soldier, who is recruited by the British Intelligence Service to infiltrate the inner circle of arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).

The first series of The Night Manager won multiple Baftas, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globes – including Best Actor for Tom Hiddleston.

In the UK it was watched by more than 10 million viewers, making it one of 2016’s most-watched TV shows.

Metro.co.uk has approached the BBC and Camila’s reps for comment.

The Night Manager is returning to BBC One and iPlayer.

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