AMC’s upcoming miniseries The Night Manager is shaping up to be one of 2016′s most anticipated TV offerings: Based on the John le Carré spy thriller, it pits Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie against each other in a riveting battle of dueling intellects. And we’ve got a first look at all the fireworks.

In the exclusive sneak peek above, former British soldier Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston) is indulging in a nighttime cigarette when arms dealer Richard Roper (Laurie) joins him to look up at the stars — or, as Roper calls it, a “glimpse of the infinite.” He digs around for personal details from Pine — his work history, his love life — before complimenting him on continuing to smoke, even in front of a customer: “Good for you.”

What Roper doesn’t know is Pine will eventually be recruited by British intelligence to go undercover as a spy and infiltrate Roper’s arms-smuggling operation. So enjoy this polite banter while you can… because these two chaps might not be chummy with each other for much longer.

The Night Manager premieres Tuesday, Apr. 19 at 10 p.m. on AMC.