Hugh Laurie unleashes the villain in The Night Manager

In The Night Manager, a new AMC miniseries, Hugh Laurie plays Richard Roper — charming philanthropist by day, ruthless arms dealer by night. 

We've seen Laurie play funny in Blackadder and the the anti-hero in House, but now he's unleashing his villainous side with a character who doesn't need the point of a gun to get his way. Roper is intelligent and resourceful enough to cajole, seduce and yes, occasionally threaten.

"I can't deny, there are some things about this character I love," Laurie tells Shad, "... he would be fun to be with, I think. That's part of the thing about the devil — the devil has good tunes, always has."

Laurie is a rare actor who can easily weave between comedy and tragedy, but don't tell him that lest you put him at a momentary loss for words.

"You've got me blushing now," Laurie laughs.