FILMING for the new series of hit crime drama Bloodlands had begun in Northern Ireland.
Starring James Nesbitt as DCI Tom Brannick and produced by Jed Mercurio, it was a ratings-hit when it premiered on BBC One last year.
Set to return for six hour-long episodes, filming for the second series is once again taking place in Belfast and the surrounding areas, including Strangford Lough.
The second season of the drama will focus on a new plot, but is related to the mystery of 'Goliath', the apparent serial killer at the heart of the first series.
The storyline will follow the murder of a crooked accountant, which unravels a trail of greed that threatens to expose the identity of Goliath.
Actress Victoria Smurfit is set to take on the new role of Olivia, an enigmatic widow at the centre of Brannick’s latest case with other returning cast members including Charlene McKenna of Peaky Blinders fame, Lorcan Cranitch, Lola Petticrew and Chris Walley.
The first series of Bloodlands launched with an average of 8.2 million viewers and was Northern Ireland’s most watched BBC drama launch on record.
Nesbitt last night said it was "brilliant to be back filming in Northern Ireland and reunited with the gang for the second series of Bloodlands".
"I couldn’t be happier to be welcoming Victoria to the cast, having first worked with her over 20 years ago," he said.
"I can’t wait for audiences to see what’s next for the cunning and complex Tom Brannick."
Smurfit added that she was "beyond excited to be joining the cast of Bloodlands and to be working with Jimmy again".
"I adored watching the first series," she said.
The drama is created and written by Chris Brandon, who said it is "very exciting to be able to return with another series of Bloodlands and to reunite with such a talented cast and crew in Northern Ireland".
"I can’t wait to watch James Nesbitt as Tom Brannick again, as he navigates the thrills and surprises of this new story, and I’m delighted to welcome Victoria Smurfit to the drama."
