Colin Morgan, Madeleine Mantock, and Christian Cooke will lead the ensemble cast for the second series of the real-time thriller Nightsleeper, which is currently filming in Belfast. Written by Nick Leather and produced by Element Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, the six-part drama moves its action from the rails to the open water.
The hit real-time thriller Nightsleeper is returning for a second series, trading its original railway setting for a high-stakes maritime crisis. The BBC revealed that the brand-new six-part drama is currently filming in Belfast, bringing together a massive ensemble cast led by Colin Morgan, Madeleine Mantock, and Christian Cooke.
From Rails to Open Water: The New Plot and Creative Team
While the first series unfolded aboard a hijacked train, the new 6×60 installment shifts the peril to a passenger ferry traveling from Belfast to Liverpool. According to production details, the vessel becomes the target of a potentially deadly cyber attack. Crew members scramble to conceal the severity of the threat from unsuspecting passengers while the ferry’s second engineer, Johnny—played by Cooke—teams up with Bo, the National Cyber Security Centre’s new technical director played by Morgan, to fight back.
Mantock stars alongside them as Beth, rounding out the primary trio of the narrative. The series is written by BAFTA and RTS award-winning writer Nick Leather. Speaking about the shift to a maritime setting, Leather shared his enthusiasm for the project’s new direction.
It’s so much fun to be embarking on a second Nightsleeper journey on a route I know so well with the Belfast-to-Liverpool ferry as our new box-of-tricks.
Nick Leather, Writer
An Expanded Ensemble Cast and Returning Faces
Production company Element Pictures has assembled a deep supporting roster for the seafaring adventure. Rupert Penry-Jones joins the cast as Richard, alongside Ian McElhinney as Charlie and Sally Lindsay as Lisa. The call sheet also features Alexander Arnold as Feeny, Lydia Page as Lola, Christine Bottomley as Tanya, Julie Dray as Ray, Pooky Quesnel as Sam, Jonathan Harden as Simon, Mickey Mason as Damian, Kevin Harvey as Tony, Cúán Hosty-Blaney as Liam, Eileen O’Higgins as Jo, Samuel Edward-Cook as Connor, Emily Flain as Eabha, Tareq Al-Jeddal as Albie, and Sam Hoare as Rusper.
Viewers of the first outing will also see familiar characters return. Parth Thakerar, Jonjo O’Neill, and Micah Balfour will reprise their respective roles as Saj, Hud, and Leon.
Production Behind the Scenes in Belfast
Filming is actively underway in Northern Ireland. Executive producer Kate Harwood highlighted the significance of the production’s location in Titanic town.
We’re excited to be filming this sea faring Nightsleeper adventure in Belfast, Titanic town itself. And to be casting off with such a brilliant bunch of actors led by Colin Morgan, Madeleine Mantock and Christian Cooke with superb directors James Kent and Chris Baugh helming. We look forward to taking Nightsleeper fans in the UK and abroad on another thrilling trip.
Photo: Televisual
Kate Harwood, Executive Producer
The series is directed by James Kent and Chris Baugh. It is produced by Element Pictures—a Fremantle company—with support from Northern Ireland Screen. Executive producers for Element Pictures include Kate Harwood, Rachel Dargavel, Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, and Christopher Aird, alongside writer Nick Leather and director James Kent. Gaynor Holmes serves as executive producer for the BBC, with Jonathan Curling as series producer and Maria Mulhall as producer. Fremantle manages global sales for the project, which was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
We’re thrilled to have Colin, Madeleine and Christian lead this new series of Nightsleeper. Nick has delivered another brilliantly gripping story, and with danger lurking beneath the surface at every turn, viewers are in for a truly nail-biting journey.
