CROOKHAVEN CONFIRMED FOR SECOND SERIES ON BBC, DOUGRAY SCOTT TO REPRISE ROLE

BBC Children’s and Education’s thrilling family drama Crookhaven is set to return, with the secret school for crooks reopening its doors for an electrifying second series, that once again features the complicated friendship between pickpocketing genius Gabriel (Lucas Leach) and Penelope (Carmel Laniado), daughter of the school’s headmaster Caspian Lockett (Dougray Scott).

Based on the globally bestselling books by JJ Arcanjo, the first series which is made by BBC Studios Kids & Family and premiered in March 2026, turned the high school genre on its head with a bold, twist-packed mystery exploring identity, loyalty and the power of found family. Now, the Crooklings are back and entering their Miscreant (second) year and stepping into a fresh term full of dangerous secrets, shifting alliances and shocking betrayal.

Dougray Scott said: “I’m delighted to be returning to Crookhaven and stepping back into the role of the Caspian Lockett. I’m looking forward to working with the talented cast and creative team once again, and to bringing audiences another exciting chapter of this wonderful, mysterious world.”

Lucas Leach said: “I’m really happy to be returning back to Crookhaven for series two with this great team! The story is only getting better and we’re all so excited to step back into our characters, because as always, nothing at Crookhaven is ever as it seems to be.”

Carmel Laniado said: “I feel very lucky to step back into Penelope’s shoes once more, and cannot wait for audiences to witness her brave journey of self-discovery.”

Sarah Muller, Senior Head of BBC Children’s Commissioning 7+ said: “Crookhaven struck a real chord with audiences through its originality, ambition and brilliantly twisty storytelling. Original stories and characters sit at the heart of everything we do, and this series delivers that in abundance, with a world that feels distinctive, inclusive and full of intrigue. Bringing it back for a second series allows us to go even deeper into this rich, morally complex story and raise the stakes for the students of Crookhaven as they return for another unpredictable year.”

Cecilia Persson, Managing Director of BBC Studios Kids & Family, said: “Crookhaven combines ambitious storytelling with world-class execution, capturing the imagination of audiences around the globe. We're delighted to be able to expand the world further with a second series, allowing us to deepen those connections, raise the stakes, and bring even more viewers along for the journey.”

Filming for series two begins this summer in Northern Ireland and is scheduled to launch in 2027. Crookhaven is created for television by Justin Young (Death in Paradise, Sanditon, Dickensian, Ripper Street) and produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family for the BBC, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.

The Creative Director is Tali Walters, executive producer is Mark Freeland, directors are Jamie Magnus Stone and Aislinn Clarke, and the producer is Leon McGeown-Fee. The series was commissioned by Sarah Muller, Senior Head of BBC Children’s Commissioning 7+, with Amy Buscombe as Commissioning Editor. Global sales are handled by BBC Studios.