Keeley Hawes joins Izuka Hoyle in second series of Sky Original action thriller Prisoner

Sky announces that production has commenced on the second series of Sky Original six-part action thriller Prisoner, with BAFTA-nominated Keeley Hawes (The Assassin, Bodyguard) joining returning Scottish BAFTA Award winner Izuka Hoyle (Boiling Point, Big Boys) in the leading roles. Created by Academy Award® and BAFTA-nominated writer Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies, Hostage), the second series is written by Charman alongside deputy showrunner Sophie Petzal (Blood, Hollington Drive, The Last Kingdom).

Prisoner was one of the year’s most-watched Sky Original dramas, with high audience engagement across its six episodes. Sky moved quickly to back the series with an early second-season pick-up. The new series sees Izuka Hoyle reprise her role as prison transport officer Amber Todd. Scarred by past events, Todd is struggling to move on and repair her fractured family when she becomes entangled in the expatriation of Dr. Regan Weaver (Keeley Hawes), a brilliant psychologist and notorious prisoner. Framed for murder, Amber is forced to go on the run with Regan, and the two form an unexpected bond as they are hunted by criminals, governments and rogue police, all desperate to get their hands on Weaver and the secrets she has spent decades hiding.

New cast members confirmed for series two include Solly McLeod (Star City, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) David Dawson (My Policeman, Elsinore), and Elijah Cook (The Diplomat, Silo). Returning cast members include Catherine McCormack (Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, 28 Weeks Later), Leonie Benesch (September 5, Late Shift), Finn Bennett (Black Doves, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), Ken Nwosu (Black Doves, Sticks and Stones), Daniel Betts (M obLand, The Crown), Jessica Barker-Wren (Odie - North Face) and Michele Austin (Hard Truths, This Is Going to Hurt).

Meghan Lyvers, Managing Director, Scripted Originals, Sky, said: “Matt and Sophie have created a gripping new chapter of Prisoner that takes the series in an even more ambitious direction and raises the stakes for Amber. Alongside our hugely talented creative team, we’re delighted to welcome the brilliant Keeley Hawes, Solly McLeod and David Dawson to the cast, joining the fantastic Izuka Hoyle and our returning ensemble. Sky’s audience was highly engaged with the first season, so we can’t wait for them to see what’s in store.”

Matt Charman, showrunner, said: “Amber went to hell and back in season one, taking the audience with her every step of the way. But to raise the stakes in season two, we needed a prisoner who would push her further than ever. Having Keeley join us is a dream come true. She’s one of our finest actresses, and she is mesmerising as Dr. Regan Weaver. And absolutely terrifying too.”

Prisoner is produced by Binocular in association with Sky Studios. The series is written and created by showrunner Matt Charman, whose credits include Netflix’s Hostage, starring Suranne Jones, Treason and his Academy Award®-nominated screenplay for Bridge of Spies. On series two, Sophie Petzal (Blood, Hollington Drive, The Last Kingdom) serves as deputy showrunner and writer. Anthony Philipson (The Day of the Jackal, The Capture) directs, with later episodes directed by Kasia Adamik (Star City, Kabul). Executive producers are Matt Charman, Foz Allan, Sophie Petzal, Otto Bathurst and Adrian Sturges for Sky. Derek Ritchie (Luther, The Capture, Doctor Who) serves as series producer.

Series two will be available on Sky in the UK and Ireland, with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handling international sales.

The production received support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales.

About Sky

Sky is one of Europe’s leading entertainment and connectivity companies, serving millions of customers in the UK, Ireland and Italy. At the heart of everything we do, is a belief that people deserve better. That means we’re always finding new ways to make life brighter, smarter and more joyful, through the work we do.

Here in the UK, we offer unmissable TV and smarter ways to watch it. We invest to create award-winning original sports coverage, entertainment and news, across the UK, with the best homegrown talent. We provide world-class connectivity, including broadband, mobile and smart home services, at unbeatable value. Our mindset is rooted in the needs of people in the UK and we’re proud to contribute billions to UK GDP, to support thousands of jobs and to drive progress in the creative industries. We broadcast Sky Arts and Sky News, free-to-air, to give everyone access to bold, independent journalism and coverage of the arts.

We believe in making a positive contribution to the communities we live and work in. We’re investing in skills for young people, in connectivity for under-served groups and in sustainability. Everyone at Sky is encouraged to volunteer for local good causes.

About Binocular

At Binocular we pride ourselves on creating content that resonates with diverse audiences around the globe while showcasing our storytelling abilities.

Established as a production company in 2022, Binocular has quickly evolved into a creative powerhouse within the scripted indie landscape. We specialize in crafting visually stunning and emotionally compelling genre narratives that reflect both universal themes and specific cultural insights.

Our portfolio includes commissions for Netflix, Peacock, Amazon, Sky and the BBC.

Our most recent project seen ’on air’ was the global hit Hostage for Netflix with Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy. Working closely with Suranne, Matt Charman (Writer and Binocular CEO ) created a world where the personal and political lives of Prime Minister Abigal Dalton were wound tightly together around a central thriller storyline.

The show has had a genuinely amazing response from both critics and audiences. It was a Netflix global top 10 in 88 territories and the number one series in the UK for 14 days.

Binocular is also in production on Matt Charman’s next series, the thriller Dirty, starring Samantha Morton and Phoebe Dynover.

The company originated as a development studio supporting the work of Oscar nominated writer Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies) and other writers, with the intention of bringing projects to the best version of themselves.

With a writer as founder the company’s development process is distinctive and flexible, responding to the differing needs of each project’s key creator.