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'Gentleman Jack' 2: When it returns and who is starring with Suranne Jones

Gentleman Jack returns for a second series with Lydia Leonard, Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle. (Lookout Point/HBO)
Gentleman Jack returns for a second series with Lydia Leonard, Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle. (Lookout Point/HBO)

Period drama Gentleman Jack is back for a second season this weekend, continuing the fascinating true-life tale of Anne Lister.

Suranne Jones is back to lead the cast as Lister - but who will she be joined by this time?

Read more: Suranne Jones creates and stars in double-life drama for ITV

Here's all you need to know about the second series of Gentleman Jack.

When is Gentleman Jack series 2 on TV?

The second series of Gentleman Jack begins on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One and runs for eight weeks.

Who is in the cast with Suranne Jones?

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 15:00:01 on 02/02/2022 - Programme Name: Gentleman Jack S2 - TX: n/a - Episode: Gentleman Jack - First Look (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: *NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL 15:00HRS, WEDNESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY, 2022* Ann Walker (SOPHIE RUNDLE), Anne Lister (SURANNE JONES) - (C) Lookout Point/HBO - Photographer: Aimee Spinks
Sophie Rundle and Suranne Jones lead the cast. (Lookout Point/HBO)

Vigil star Suranne Jones is back to star as real-life 19th-century entrepreneur Anne Lister whose diaries, often written in code, form the basis of the Sally Wainwright drama.

Again, she'll be joined by Peaky Blinders star Sophie Rundle who returns to play her love interest Ann Walker as one of the central storylines of the series.

Read more: Vigil gets a second series with Suranne Jones

New to the cast this time is The Larkins and The Thick Of It star Joanna Scanlan, who joins as Anne Lister’s outrageous former lover Isabella "Tib" Norcliffe.

Joanna Scanlan plays Anne Lister's ex. (Lookout Point/HBO)
Joanna Scanlan plays Anne Lister's ex. (Lookout Point/HBO)

Other returning cast include Lydia Leonard as Mariana Lawton, Gemma Whelan as Marian Lister, Gemma Jones as Aunt Anne Lister, and Timothy West as Jeremy Lister.

Jodhi May is back as Lady Vere Cameron, Katherine Kelly as Elizabeth Sutherland, Derek Riddell as Captain George Sutherland, and Stephanie Cole as Aunt Ann Walker.

Other cast includes Peter Davison (William Priestley), Amelia Bullmore (Eliza Priestley), Vincent Franklin (Christopher Rawson), Shaun Dooley (Jeremiah Rawson), Rosie Cavaliero (Elizabeth Cordingley), Joe Armstrong (Samuel Washington), Anthony Flanagan (Ben Sowden), and George Costigan (James Holt).

What will happen in Gentleman Jack series 2?

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 15:00:01 on 02/02/2022 - Programme Name: Gentleman Jack S2 - TX: n/a - Episode: Gentleman Jack - First Look (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: *NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL 15:00HRS, WEDNESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY, 2022* Anne Lister (SURANNE JONES) - (C) Lookout Point/HBO - Photographer: Aimee Spinks
Suranne Jones plays 19th-century entrepreneur Anne Lister. (Lookout Point/HBO)

It's 1834 as the series opens and all eyes are on Anne Lister and Ann Walker as they set up home together at Shibden Hall as wife and wife.

They are planning to combine their estates as a local power couple, but face opposition from many sides - added to which, Lister's outrageous past comes back to haunt her in the form of ex Isabella "Tib" Norcliffe.

However, Lister is experiencing problems completely separate from her romantic life, too, as Halifax teeters on the brink of revolution.

As she refuses to tone herself down, Lister frightens the locals with rumblings of overthrowing the accepted order of things bringing danger to Shibden Hall.

Gentleman Jack returns on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.

Watch: Sally Lindsay on creating Scott & Bailey with Suranne Jones