The Ink Factory has officially wrapped production on a Chinese-language adaptation of The Night Manager. The project, co-produced with 127 Wall Productions, reimagines John le Carré’s acclaimed novel as a high-stakes spy thriller set across Asia.
Filming Across Asia
Shot in Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, and Phuket, the series brings a fresh regional lens to the globally recognized story. The adaptation will premiere on Youku in mainland China in late 2026, with Fifth Season handling international sales.
Star-Studded Cast
Leading the cast are Eddie Peng (Black Dog) and Sean Lau (Papa), joined by Isabella Leong and Carman Lee. Peng plays Jonathan Chan, the polished night manager of Bangkok’s Emerald Palace Hotel, while Lau portrays Richard Kwok, a powerful tycoon linked to illegal arms trading.
Creative Team Behind the Series
The series is directed by Kelvin KinLong Chan (Hand Rolled Cigarette) and written by Cheung Feifan (Cold War 1994) and He Liangyu (A Man and A Woman). The production is backed by a powerhouse team of executive producers, including Donghui Wang, Julia Song, Chris Cornwell, Joe Tsai, Arthur Wang, Simon Cornwell, Stephen Cornwell, Michele Wolkoff, and Tessa Inkelaar. Additional executive producers include Clare Cornwell for the John le Carré estate, Susanne Bier, Stephen Garrett for Character 7, David Farr, and William B. Johnson for Demarest Films.
Synopsis: A Web of Deception
Jonathan Chan (Peng) hides a dark past rooted in Hong Kong’s White Rock Detention Center. When evidence surfaces linking Kwok (Lau) to arms trafficking, Chan is recruited by ICAC’s relentless Angela Fok (Lee) to infiltrate Kwok’s empire. As Chan gains Kwok’s trust, he becomes entangled with Jed Cheung (Leong), Kwok’s girlfriend. Their growing connection complicates his mission, forcing him to confront betrayal, morality, and revenge. The series promises a gripping narrative of espionage and personal reckoning.
Global Appeal
With its blend of international intrigue, Asian settings, and a star-studded cast, the adaptation positions itself as one of the most anticipated dramas of 2026. Fans of le Carré’s work and global spy thrillers can expect a fresh take that bridges East and West storytelling traditions.
