Sherwood season 2: cast, plot, first-look pics and everything we know

Sherwood season 2 is heading to BBC One, which is great news for the millions of viewers who enjoyed 2022's BAFTA-winning first series!

James Graham's sequel will once again be addressing a host of powerful social and political themes, as a raft of new stars join the stellar cast from the first instalment.

The new six-part series will take us back to the Nottinghamshire town Sherwood and the small ex-mining community still scarred by divisions caused by the 1980s miners’ strike.

David Morrissey is back as Detective Chief Superintendent Ian St Clair while Lesley Manville and Lorraine Ashbourne are also returning. They'll be joined by David Harewood, Robert Lindsay, Monica Dolan and Sharlene Whyte, as two new families brought into the mix.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sherwood season 2….

Sherwood season 2 release date

Sherwood season 2 is expected to premiere on BBC One and BBCiPlayer in 2024. As soon as we have a confirmed release date, we'll be sure to let you know.

Sherwood season 1 recap

The first series of Sherwood focused on a community still reeling from the use of "spycops", a practice in which police officers were sent deep undercover to infiltrate groups that opposed government policy.

These had been used during the miners’ strike in the 1980s and the community had never recovered from the betrayal and the divisions it caused. The series saw DCI Ian St Clair (David Morrissey) investigating a crossbow murder, which stirred up old but still raw tensions.

We saw him teaming up with DI Kevin Salisbury (Robert Glenister) and attempting to bury the long-held rivalries that had existed between them since the 1980s. At the crux of the murder was the shock revelation that one of the town’s key residents was originally an undercover cop.

Sherwood season 2 plot

Sherwood season 2 further explores the themes of fractured communities and the political turmoil in today’s Britain, introducing two new families to the town.

Meanwhile a newly appointed Sheriff of Nottingham is passionately fighting local government and business leaders to stop a proposed new mine coming to the area.

The mine would bring much-needed jobs but is also an unwelcome reminder of the legacy that has blighted the community for so long...

Sherwood season 2 returning cast

David Morrissey is back as DCI St Clair while Lesley Manville returns as Julie Jackson. Lorraine Ashbourne plays her estranged sister Cathy, the fearsome matriarch of the Sparrow family, with Philip Jackson starring as her husband Mickey. Perry Fitzpatrick, Bill Jones and Adam Hugill are also reprising their roles.

* Meet the cast of Sherwood: our who's who guide

Sherwood season 2 new cast members

Sherwood season 2 has plenty of new characters and therefore new cast. Look out for Homeland star David Harewood, Robert Lindsay (My Family), Monica Dolan (The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe), and Sharlene Whyte (Stephen), plus Stephen Dillane, Ria Zmitrowicz, Aisling Loftus, Robert Emms, Michael Balogun, Christine Bottomley, Oliver Huntingdon, Jorden Myrie, Conor Deane and Bethany Asher.

Is there a trailer for Sherwood season 2?

No, not yet, but if and when the BBC releases one, we’ll be sure to add it here.

Behind the scenes and more Sherwood season 2

Sherwood series two was filmed in and around Nottingham. The drama is produced by House Productions and will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. James Graham has written all six episodes and will be an executive producer on the series. Clio Barnard is lead director and executive producer, with Tom George directing eps four, five, & six. The producer is Kate Ogborn (Life After Life; The North Water). Juliette Howell, Tessa Ross and Harriet Spencer are executive producers for House Productions, with Jo McClellan for the BBC. BBC Studios, which owns House Productions, is the international distributor of both series.