Before We Die season 2: Release date, cast and latest news for Channel 4 drama

The Swedish original ran for two series from 2017 until 2019 and is now returning on Saturday 25th June for season 2.

While fans might assume the second season of Channel 4's version would follow the events of the show on which it's based, the broadcaster and cast has teased season 2 will go down a very different path to the original, with Hannah going directly up against Dubravka (Kazia Pelka), the matriarch in charge of the Mimica family.

Speaking about the new season, Sharp reveals: "The first series was also a recreation of a very successful Swedish television series, but this second series takes our story further forward and bears scant resemblance to the Swedish version. It’s more of what we all loved about series one!"

At the time of the series' second-season renewal, Channel 4's Head of Drama Caroline Hollick, said: "I'm delighted to welcome back this gripping crime thriller to the channel.

"Series 1 struck a chord with audiences, with over 12 million viewers tuned into the show on All 4 from the edge of their seats," adding that the upcoming instalment is set to include "more surprises, twists and turns".

Here's everything you need to know about Before We season 2, which Before We Die cast members are likely to reprise their roles and what will happen to Christian, Hannah and Billy in season two.

Before We Die season 2 release date

CONFIRMED: Before We Die season 2 will premiere on Channel 4 and All4 on Sunday 25th June 2023 at 9pm.

Before being recommissioned, Lesley Sharp previously spoke about why she’d love the drama to return for a second season.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press, Sharp said: "They all survive by the skin of their teeth so they need a bit of rest and recuperation if they’re coming back.

"But you know, I think the thing is those questions are always down to– they’re sort of not really down to us. It’s down to whether or not the show proves to be something that people want to watch," she added. "You can’t second guess that. You can keep your fingers crossed because you think something’s good but there’s no knowing."

In addition, Before We Die star Patrick Gibson, who plays Christian, previously said to Digital Spy: "There's no plot lines that are left unanswered necessarily, but the show ends on – like yeah absolutely [there could be] more, it could develop.

"I would love to [make a second season], I think even just to see... because for every character there's an emotional arc that happens where they're not the same person as they are at the start of the show," he said. "[To] pick that up and see a whole other few episodes with them would be really cool... Hopefully!"

Who is in the cast of Before We Die season 2?

It's difficult to imagine Before We Die without DI Hannah Laing, so it's a good job that Lesley Sharp will be reprising her role in the second season.

On returning for season 2, Sharp said: "To take part in a story that has a complex, ambivalent, older female character at the centre of its beating heart is a privilege.

"I am excited and honoured to be part of this collaborative, creative team. Viva Hannah! Viva Channel4! Viva Eagle Eye! Here’s to the next chapter of Before We Die."

Patrick Gibson, who plays Hannah's son Christian, is also set to return. While we last saw Christian head off to Costa Rica with Bianca, we know from the Swedish series that he returns in series two, so we can only wait and see what's in store for Gibson in series two.

The full list of cast members returning for season 2 of Before We Die are as follows.

• Lesley Sharp as Hannah Laing
• Vincent Regan as Billy Murdoch
• Kazia Pelka as Dubravka Mimica
• Isabella Knopfler as Bianca Mimica
• Patrick Gibson as Christian Radic
• Priyanga Burford as Nicky Harris
• Steve Toussaint as Leonard Kane
• Mark Strepan as Goran, Dubravka's nephew

Of course, we also know that actors such as Ryszard Turbiasz (Zvonomir), Petar Cvirn (Stefan) and Toni Gojanovic (Davor) won't be reprising their roles as their characters were all killed off in season one.

What is the plot for Before We Die season 2?

Before We Die's series one finale sets things up for series two, with Kane asking Hannah to "find the b*****d who betrayed us" – in other words, which police officer within their unit was leaking information to the Mimicas.

While we already know that Marcus (Josh O'Connor) is the mole, Hannah and her colleagues are yet to find that out, so series two will see her attempt to sniff out the rat.

What's more, speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press ahead of the season 1's premiere, star Vincent Regan said that a second series could explore drug crime outside of the Mimica family.

"With a drama like Before We Die, it’s like you pull at a thread on a piece of a garment and you keep pulling and pulling and you realise that the thread is getting longer and longer.

"When it gets to the end of episode six, we’ve been pulling lots of threads but we still realise there is a hell of a big cardigan that you can carry on pulling and, when it comes to organised drug crime in Bristol, you expose the Mimicas and another gang and then you realise there are more gangs, there are more bent cops.

"So I think that situation we arrive at towards the end is, ‘Oh my god, we’ve done that but what the hell else is there out there?’ So I think if the audience loves the show and Channel 4 love the show then there are of course possibilities.”

We do know that the second season won't necessarily stick to the Swedish-inspired format of the first, with series star Regan revealing: “The first season was a remake of a cracking Scandi original, so it did feel a bit like a coat we had to wear.

"This time, we’re taking that off and the show is finding its own identity because the story diverges from the Scandi show. It feels less restricted - much freer. We're telling our own story now.”

Is there a trailer for Before We Die season 2?

There most certainly is! It shows plenty of high stakes in store and Hannah warning Billy that her son is "as good as dead".

Watch it for yourself below.

Before We Die season 2 airs on Channel 4 and All4 on Sunday 25th June 2023 at 9pm. Check out our Drama hub for more news, interviews and features or find something to watch with our TV guide.

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