Sanditon | Series 2 Preview (ITV)

Sanditon, the acclaimed drama based on Jane Austen’s final, unfinished novel left fans in suspense and clamouring for more with the first series’ heart-breaking finale.

The new series will pick up the action nine months later, as the town is growing in popularity, featuring characters familiar and new.

Series two picks up with heroine Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) returning to the picturesque coastal resort, determined as ever to live a life less ordinary, as she takes up the role of governess to the wards of Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes).

Charlotte is joined by her spirited younger sister, Alison Heywood (Rosie Graham) who comes to Sanditon to pursue her own romantic dream.

In her last summer season before turning 21, Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke), is keen to forge her own identity and gets up to mischief in the name of love…but will she run the risk of being lonelier than ever before?

Tom Parker (Kris Marshall) strives to rebuild Sanditon but there are many unforeseen issues awaiting him, while the secrets and lies of the dysfunctional Denham’s continue to rock the foundations of the sunny seaside town.

Plus, the second series promises new romances, friendships, and challenges for the residents as the Army make Sanditon their new base, led by the charming Colonel Lennox (Tom Weston-Jones).

Justin Young (Death in Paradise, Ripper Street), who wrote four episodes of the first series of Sanditon, developed the new series and is lead writer and executive producer with Andrew Davies, who originally created the drama and returned to write and executive produce.

Colin Bytheway, Janice Okoh, Ellen Taylor and Robin French also wrote for the series. The series producer is Rebecca Hedderly (Casualty), the producers are Ian Hogan (Black Mirror) and Amy Rodriguez (Harlots) and lead director is Charles Sturridge (Marcella), with Ethosheia Hylton (Ackley Bridge) directing episodes 4,5 and 6.

Sanditon II begins Friday 22nd July at 9pm on ITV.