BBC reveals first look at the second series of James Graham’s critically acclaimed drama Sherwood

The first-look pictures have been revealed for series two of the hit BBC drama, Sherwood produced by House Productions. Series one was a critical and ratings hit when it aired in June of 2022, with a UK audience of 7.5 million viewers, making it one of the country’s most watched new dramas that year. With an all-star line-up of new and returning cast members, James Graham’s powerful and resonant depiction of community and modern-day Britain will return to BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year.

Directed by the acclaimed British film director Clio Barnard (Ali & Ava, The Selfish Giant) and Tom George (This Country, See How They Run), this new and original drama inspired from Nottingham born Graham features a stellar cast line-up including David Morrissey (Red Riding, The Walking Dead), Lesley Manville (Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, Mum), Monica Dolan (Black Mirror, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe), David Harewood (Homeland, The Night Manager), Lorraine Ashbourne (Alma’s Not Normal, I Hate Suzie), Robert Lindsay (Maleficent 2, My Family), Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones, Vigil), Sharlene Whyte (Stephen, Small Axe), Perry Fitzpatrick (Line of Duty, This Is England), Christine Bottomley (Domina, Back To Life), Philip Jackson (Raised by Wolves, Peterloo), Aisling Loftus (The Midwich Cuckoos, War and Peace), Bill Jones (Sherwood, The Village), Adam Hugill (1917, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), Ria Zmitrowicz (The Power, Three Girls), Robert Emms (Andor, Chernobyl), Michael Balogun (Top Boy, The Lehman Trilogy), Oliver Huntingdon (The Rising, Happy Valley), Jorden Myrie (Mood, The Strays), Conor Deane (All Creatures Great & Small, Newark) and Bethany Asher (Wild Bill, Mobility).

The second series further explores the powerful themes that made the first so resonant to audiences across the UK. Set in the present day it introduces two new families that find themselves entangled with the Sparrows, entering a complex web of local gangs, old rivalries, revenge, and betrayal. Meanwhile, a newly appointed Sheriff of Nottingham is passionately fighting against a proposed new mine for the area, which brings the promise of much needed jobs and prosperity but also unwelcome reminders of the legacy that has mired the community for so long.

Sherwood series two 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.