‘Bloodlands’: Filming Begins On Season 2 Of James Nesbitt Drama
Filming has begun on Season 2 of ‘Bloodlands‘, the action-packed critically-acclaimed drama starring James Nesbitt (‘Stay Close’, ‘Cold Feet’), from Jed Mercurio’s HTM Television.
Nesbitt reprises the lead role of DCI Tom Brannick in the second instalment and is joined by returning cast including Charlene McKenna (‘Peaky Blinders’, ‘Holding’), Lorcan Cranitch (‘The Last Kingdom’, ‘The Dig’), Lola Petticrew (‘Tuesday’, ‘Dating Amber’) and Chris Walley (‘The Young Offenders’, ‘1917’).
One new face this season is Victoria Smurfit (‘Marcella’,’Once Upon a Time’), who takes on the role of Olivia, an enigmatic widow at the centre of Brannick’s latest case whose intentions may be far from innocent.
“It’s brilliant to be back filming in Northern Ireland and reunited with the gang for the second series of Bloodlands,” comments Nesbitt. “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.”
When the murder of a crooked accountant unravels a trail of greed that threatens to expose his identity as the legendary assassin, Goliath, Tom (Nesbitt) and the accountant’s widow, Olivia (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 (McKenna), DCS Jackie Twomey (Cranitch) and DC “Birdy” Bird (Walley), as well as his daughter, Izzy (Petticrew), until deceit and betrayal build to a shattering climax.
”I’m beyond excited to be joining the cast of Bloodlands and to be working with Jimmy again,” adds Smurfit. “I adored watching the first series!”
Created and written by Chris Brandon, the first season 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.
“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,” said Brandon. “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.”
Executive Producers are Jed Mercurio, Mark Redhead and Jimmy Mulville for HTM Television and Tommy Bulfin and Tom Lazenby for the BBC. Bloodlands was recommissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama and Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer.
‘Bloodlands’ is produced as part of the BBC and Northern Ireland Screen partnership agreement. The successful partnership continues to support the screen industry in Northern Ireland and help ensure that content filmed and set in Northern Ireland is brought to audiences across the UK and internationally. It is distributed by Hat Trick International and will be available to stream on Acorn TV in the US.
‘Bloodlands‘ Season 1 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Acorn TV in the US. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when they get a UK premiere date.
