The Night Manager is back for its belated second season on BBC One and iPlayer, which raises major questions about what became of one key character: Jed (as played by Elizabeth Debicki).

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At the end of season 1, the two seemed set to continue their romance, which had begun as a secret and dangerous affair under the nose of her menacing partner – arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).

In the decade elapsed since then, we can clearly see that their relationship has ended, but the precise nature of their separation has yet to be made explicit.

As a result, some viewers may fear the worst for Jed, given the dangerous world in which The Night Manager is set, but it's possible that she's off living a quiet, happy life somewhere far away.

Here's what we can determine about Jed's fate so far, based on clues in The Night Manager season 2.

Is Elizabeth Debicki's Jed dead in The Night Manager season 2?

Elizabeth Debicki stars as Jed in The Night Manager; in this scene, she is leaning out a car window, with her hand placed under her chin, looking up with fondness
Elizabeth Debicki stars as Jed in The Night Manager BBC

As of the season premiere, it's unclear whether Jed has died in The Night Manager season 2, but one major clue suggests that it is a possibility.

During his investigation into a powerful new arms dealer, Jonathan accesses a cache of Richard Roper's possessions seized by British intelligence following his downfall.

Among them is a photo album of moments shared on his family holidays, including relaxed pictures of Roper himself, his son Danny (Noah Jupe) and his then partner, Jed.

Jonathan looks at the pictures of his former flame sorrowfully, taking a moment to remember the woman he had grown so close to, but proceeds to shift his attention back to the matter at hand.

It's not quite a confirmation that Jed has died, but it suggests that, at best, the two have lost contact; potentially, it was a price that Jonathan had to pay in order to secure his new identity as Alex Goodwin.

But it would have been a very painful sacrifice to make, given the heartfelt assurances he had given Jed before they went their separate ways (more on that below).

What happened to Jed in The Night Manager season 1?

Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Debicki star in The Night Manager; in this scene, they are stood closely together outside the entrance of a hotel, sharing a romantic goodbye
Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Debicki star in The Night Manager BBC

At the end of The Night Manager season 1, Jed almost lost her life after Roper learned that she had helped Jonathan infiltrate his illegal affairs.

Jed is beaten and tortured by Roper's right-hand man, nicknamed Frisky (Michael Nardone), but narrowly escapes thanks to an intervention by Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) and Joel Steadman (David Harewood).

She reunites with Jonathan when the dust has settled and they make plans to continue their relationship, once she has returned home to her family – including a young son she had been separated from for some time.

Although forged under the most adverse circumstances, the bond between the two of them does appear to be quite genuine, with Jonathan promising to visit her as soon as she deems it the right time.

How exactly this apparent commitment dissipated in the decade between seasons 1 and 2 is a question that still needs to be answered, with fans sure to speculate in the meantime over how exactly the couple was torn apart.

Given the optimistic note that The Night Manager's first season ended on, there's reason to be hopeful that Jed has been able to continue her life in peace – but confirmation would be reassuring.

We'll update this page with more details as they are revealed.

The Night Manager season 2 is currently airing on BBC One and iPlayer.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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Authors

A headshot of RadioTimes.com drama writer David Craig. He is outside, smiling, wearing glasses and has a beard
David CraigSenior Drama Writer

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.

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