Filming has begun on the new series of Northern Irish crime drama Bloodlands, created and written by Chris Brandon.
The series, which was a ratings-hit when it premiered on BBC One last year, will return for six thrilling hour-long episodes.
James Nesbitt (Stay Close, Cold Feet) will reprise the lead role of DCI Tom Brannick in the second instalment of the action-packed critically-acclaimed drama.
Further returning cast includes Charlene McKenna (Peaky Blinders, Holding), Lorcan Cranitch (The Last Kingdom, The Dig), Lola Petticrew (Tuesday, Dating Amber) and Chris Walley (The Young Offenders, 1917).
Victoria Smurfit (Marcella, Once Upon a Time) will take on the new role of Olivia, an enigmatic widow at the centre of Brannick’s latest case whose intentions may be far from innocent.
The second season will focus on a new plot, but one which is related to the mystery of 'Goliath', the apparent serial killer at the heart of the first season.
A description for the second season reads: "When the murder of a crooked accountant unravels a trail of greed that threatens to expose his identity as legendary assassin, Goliath, Tom (James Nesbitt) and the accountant’s widow, Olivia (Victoria Smurfit), must keep each other dangerously close.
"As they try to solve the riddle her husband left behind, and become more and more immersed in the puzzle of each other, Tom and Olivia draw in Tom’s fellow officers DS Niamh McGovern (Charlene McKenna), DCS Jackie Twomey (Lorcan Cranitch) and DC "Birdy" Bird (Chris Walley), as well as his daughter, Izzy (Lola Petticrew), until deceit and betrayal build to a shattering climax."
Speaking about the announcement of the second season, James Nesbitt said: “It’s brilliant to be back filming in Northern Ireland and reunited with the gang for the second series of Bloodlands. I couldn’t be happier to be welcoming Victoria to the cast, having first worked with her over 20 years ago! I can’t wait for audiences to see what’s next for the cunning and complex Tom Brannick.”
Victoria Smurfit says: ” I’m beyond excited to be joining the cast of Bloodlands and to be working with Jimmy again. I adored watching the first series!”
Show creator Chris Brandon said: “It’s very exciting to be able to return with another series of Bloodlands, and to reunite with such a talented cast and crew in Northern Ireland. I can’t wait to watch James Nesbitt as Tom Brannick again, as he navigates the thrills and surprises of this new story, and I’m delighted to welcome Victoria Smurfit to the drama.”
The first series of Bloodlands launched with an average of 8.2 million viewers, and was Northern Ireland’s most watched BBC drama launch on record. Filming for the ‘Irish noir’ drama will once again take place in Belfast and the surrounding areas, including Strangford Lough. It is produced by Christopher Hall and directed by Jon East and Audrey Cook.
Bloodlands series one is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Acorn TV in the US.
