The Night Manager features two identifiable LGBTQ+ characters, Freddie Hamid and Corkoran, both of whom are antagonists or closely associated with villainy. Their queer identities are intertwined with their decadent lifestyles or obsessive devotion, and both characters meet violent ends. The series lacks any positive or diverse LGBTQ+ representation, leading to a problematic net portrayal where queer identity is primarily linked to negative character traits and outcomes.

The character of Leonard Burr, a male intelligence officer in John le Carré's novel, was adapted into Angela Burr, a female intelligence officer portrayed by Olivia Colman in the 2016 series. This constitutes a gender swap for a significant character.