Dalgliesh season 2 is all systems go. "Bertie Carvel's expert portrayal of Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh delivers a lasting charm and sophistication that is unmatched and, clearly, a must-watch," said Catherine Mackin, managing director at Acorn Media Enterprises.

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"We are absolutely elated to return for not one, but two, mysterious and compelling seasons. We're grateful to our partners at New Pictures, All3Media and Channel 5."

The Channel 5 crime drama is based on PD James's best-selling Inspector Dalgliesh books, with Doctor Foster star Bertie Carvel playing the title role.

Read on for everything you need to know about Dalgliesh season 2.

Dalgliesh season 2 release date: When does it air?

Dalgliesh season 2 airs on Channel 5 on Thursday 27th April at 9pm. The six-episode series will air across three consecutive weeks.

Dalgliesh season 2 cast: Who stars?

Carvel has reprised the role of Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh, who also happens to be a published poet.

Carlyss Peer stars as DS Kate Miskin, who works alongside him.

Alistair Brammer is a fresh addition to the cast, playing DS Daniel Tarrant, a new member of the team.

And expect plenty of guest stars across the six episodes, too.

Dalgiesh season 2 plot: What books does it cover?

Season 2 will explore three of the 14 books in PD James's Dalgliesh collection:

  • Death of an Expert Witness "begins with the discovery of a young girl's body in a remote part of Norfolk. The post-mortem seems routine enough, but shortly afterwards the forensics laboratory is shaken by" another event, with Dalgliesh called in to investigate.
  • A Certain Justice sees "illustrious barrister Venetia Aldridge help an obvious murderer walk free. Some weeks later, Miss Aldridge is killed brutally in her chambers. As Dalgliesh combs through every person with a grievance against this woman, he is drawn into a world of fierce rivalry, treachery and unresolved trauma".
  • The Murder Room sees "Dalgliesh called to investigate a murder at the Dupayne Museum, an institution famous for its curious exhibit of the most heinous crimes of the interwar years. To Dalgliesh, it seems that everyone at the museum has a motive for killing one of its trustees. When the killer strikes again, the race is on to uncover the secrets and scandals which lie behind these murders".

They will each unfold over two episodes apiece.

Dalgliesh and Miskin stood outside in front of a car, with Miskin stood side on facing Dalgliesh
Dalgliesh and Miskin in Dalgliesh Channel 5

Writer Helen Edmundson also expanded on what's happening within the characters' inner landscapes.

"We are a year on from where we left Dalgliesh in the first season," she said. "He has had a bit more time to process the loss of his wife and baby. His partner is DS Miskin and the two of them have become closer through working together and at the beginning of the new series we sense that possibly Miskin is developing feelings for Dalgliesh, or at least thinking about him a little too much."

Dalgliesh has also returned to writing poetry.

"In season one his bereavement had stopped him writing for a long time. He has written a new volume partly informed by his experience of grief and we join him as that volume has been published with lots of publicity and, within the poetry world, a lot of excitement around it.

"Partly this series is Dalgliesh trying to work out does he want to be a policeman and a poet or whether it’s time for him to be just a poet."

Dalgliesh season 2 trailer: When can I watch it?

Watch the exceedingly tense trailer for season 2 right now.

Dalgliesh season 2 launches on Thursday 27th April at 9pm on Channel 5, followed by episode 2 on Friday 28th April at 9pm.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

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Authors

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.

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