Richard Roper is set to make a shock return in the second series of The Night Manager - eight years on from the explosive season one finale.
The notorious arms dealer, portrayed by Hugh Laurie, was last seen at the end of the BBC One thriller's first series being forcibly taken away, seemingly to face his demise.
A source commented on his unexpected return and told The Sun: 'Everyone was working on the basis he’d been killed in series one, so this will come as a pleasant surprise.
'It’s only going to crank up the excitement for the much-anticipated sequel, which has already started filming and is expected to air next year.'
Marvel actor Tom Hiddleston recently confirmed his return as the central hero, Jonathan Pine, alongside Olivia Colman, who also confirmed she will be rejoining the cast as intelligence officer Angela Burr.
Olivia received a Golden Globe for her role as best supporting actress in the series.
Sex Education's Alistair Petrie will also return as Sandy Langbourne, one of Roper's unscrupulous associates, whilst Noah Jupe will reprise his role as Daniel Roper, the son of notorious businessman,Richard Roper.
Elizabeth Debicki is the only leading actress who is not returning for her role as Jed, who was involved in a love triangle with Pine and Roper.
Instead, American model Camila Morrone has been cast in a similar role.
Another notable absence is Tom Hollander as Corky, Roper's menacing right-hand man, as his character was killed off by Pine in the first series, which aired back in 2016.
Babylon actor Diego Calva, Daisy Jones & The Six actress Camila Morrone, Obsession star Indira Varma, Wicked Little Letters actor Paul Chahidi and Adult Material Hayley Squires are also joining the cast for the next series.
Inspired by the characters in John le Carré's best-selling novel, the first series won multiple BAFTAs, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globes and was watched by more than ten million viewers, making it one of 2016's most watched TV shows.
The first series followed hotel night manager Jonathan Pine who gets recruited by a British intelligence office to infiltrate an arms dealer's inner circle, played by House star Hugh Laurie.
Director of BBC Drama, Lindsay Salt, said: 'Olivia Colman's award-winning role as Angela Burr in the first series of The Night Manager was unforgettable and we are over the moon that she is back alongside Tom Hiddleston.
'We have such a strong cast and with Alistair Petrie, Douglas Hodge, Michael Nardone and Noah Jupe also returning, and filming starting in London, the second series of The Night Manager promises to provide even more drama, glamour, intrigue and suspense.'
Character 7's Stephen Garrett, who was also lead executive producer on the first season, added: 'The best dramas all have at their core some version of the family, and the first season of The Night Manager was no exception.
'It's thrilling that our riotously dysfunctional family is now, after eight years apart, reunited for season two, spearheaded by the impeccable Olivia Colman.
'Joined by Messers Petrie, Hodge, Nardone and the global star that Noah Jupe has rightly become, it almost looks like we planned it.'
The second series will again be written by show creator David Farr and will be helmed by Bafta-winning director Georgi Banks-Davies.
Filming for the next series of the thriller will start next month and will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.