Hugh Laurie has confessed he always saw himself playing the dashing young hero in The Night Manager.

The Tomorrowland star will appear opposite Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and David Harewood in the BBC six-part mini series adapted from the John le Carre spy novel of the same name.

Hugh revealed: “It’s something I wanted to be involved in ever since it came out. And when I first read it I imagined myself as the young stud.

Tom Hiddleston
Tom Hiddleston has the lead role in the spy drama (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

“But of course now I’m the villain and the wonderful Tom Hiddleston is the young stud.”

The series is currently in production and is due to air next year.

Hugh said: “It’s great. It’s a wonderful experience, we’re having a good time, we’re about half-way through (filming) now.”

The series is being directed by Oscar-winning Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier and also counts Tom Hollander, Katherine Kelly and Neil Morrissey among the cast.