Who is Diego Calva? Meet The Night Manager star playing Teddy Dos Santos
Jonathan Pine has a new rival – and he's just as formidable as the last!
The Night Manager season 2 sees Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman return to the BBC's acclaimed spy thriller, while also welcoming several new faces – including rising star Diego Calva.
The Mexican actor isn't a household name in the UK just yet, but this high-profile gig could well raise his profile considerably, as he slips into an enigmatic role that is sure to intrigue viewers.
Calva plays Teddy Dos Santos in The Night Manager season 2, an arms dealer who becomes the latest target of MI6 asset Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston), after he notices an apparent connection to his old rival, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).
But can Jonathan pull off the same daring stunt again? Or will Teddy prove an even sharper foil? Tune in to find out, and read on for everything you need to know about The Night Manager newcomer Calva and his exciting role.
Who is Diego Calva?
Diego Calva is a Mexican actor, who is probably best known for his roles in Netflix crime drama Narcos: Mexico and 2022 awards contender Babylon.
He made his feature film debut in the Mexican indie film I Promise You Anarchy, where he played a gay skateboarder involved in an illegal blood trafficking ring.
His Netflix work actually began with 2020's original drama Unstoppable, where he played a supporting role as the abusive ex-boyfriend of a petty criminal on the run.
The following year, he portrayed real-life drug lord Arturo Beltrán Leyva in Narcos: Mexico, a spin-off from the original series, which also starred Scoot McNairy (A Complete Unknown) and Bad Bunny (Caught Stealing).
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The role led to a big break in star-studded feature film Babylon, from director Damien Chazelle (La La Land), which dramatised the anarchic early days of Hollywood. Calva played a working-class Mexican immigrant, with big dreams for the future.
Despite boasting established stars like Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, Babylon was a box office flop and polarised viewers, with some heaping praise onto its celebration of cinema and others criticising it for overindulgence.
Calva did, however, receive a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
Since then, his most notable works have been Bird Box Barcelona, a Spanish-language spin-off from the Sandra Bullock hit, and hard-hitting Netflix drama series The Secret of the River.
Who is Teddy Dos Santos in The Night Manager?
Teddy Dos Santos (played by Diego Calva) is an arms dealer who comes to the attention of Jonathan Pine, as he appears to be mimicking the business model once practiced by Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).
Just as he did with the late Roper, Jonathan infiltrates Teddy's inner circle in a dangerous bid to bring down his operation, but will he be able to stay one step ahead of this unpredictable new rival?
The Night Manager's Tom Hiddleston has heaped praise on his co-star, saying he was "blown away" by Calva and Camila Morrone, describing the former's performance as "majestic, thoughtful and sensitive".
What has Diego Calva said about joining The Night Manager?
The Night Manager season 2 addition Diego Calva has said that he felt "lucky and proud" to be joining the series opposite co-stars Tom Hiddleston and Camila Morrone.
The actor said of his frequent scene partners: "They have become like family. It's been nine years since the first season, so some of the cast know each other very well, but they welcomed me like part of the family.
"Tom is one of the most disciplined, energetic, and charismatic actors I have ever worked with. Being surrounded by people who put 100 per cent into the job makes you want to be at their level."
Teasing the storylines to come, Calva added: "This season has a lot of spirit and soul. It's not just an espionage thriller with suspense; it's a story about betrayal and family.
"In Teddy's case, it's also a story about faith and hope, which I think people will be able to relate to."
The Night Manager season 2 is airing Sundays on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
