Hugh Laurie said he relished the opportunity to 'play a baddie' in the BBC One adaptation of thriller writer John Le Carre’s The Night Manager.
The actor, who made his name collaborating with comedy partner Stephen Fry, will take on the role of an evil arms dealer in the new series.
Hugh Laurie relished the opportunity to star in the new BBC adaptation (Des Willie/The Ink Factory/BBC)
Hugh said he was a long-time fan of the Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy writer, and could not resist the chance to take on his darkest role yet.
He is perhaps best known for roles as the bumbling Prince George in Blackadder, as well as the title character in American drama series House.
Hugh plays an evil arms dealer (Des Willie/The Ink Factory/BBC)
The 56-year-old told the Sunday Telegraph: “I’ve been preparing since I was a young boy for being bad and I’ve done a lot of background work and I am profoundly bad.
“Villainy serves a purpose in all good storytelling.
Hugh stars alongside Tom Hiddleston in the thriller (Des Willie/The Ink Factory/BBC)
“It’s a very well-trodden path, in all kinds of stories, so when I was offered the chance to play [his character] there was no way I could possibly pass it up.”
The Night Manager will screen on BBC1 later this month. Watch a trailer for the series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-ZcaKdvML8
