‘Ridiculous’ ITV drama that fans couldn’t stop bingeing officially returning
The show was one of ITV's biggest dramas of 2024.
ITV viewers need to prepare themselves for more sleepless nights as thriller Red Eye is returning for a second season.
Fans said they stayed awake until 2am to binge-watch the ‘ridiculous’ six-part drama when it debuted last year.
The follow-up will see Jing Lusi reprise her role as DC Hana Li along with Lesley Sharp and Jemma Moore as head of MI5 Madeline Delaney and journalist Jess Li respectively.
Dr Matthew Nolan actor Richard Armitage has not been announced for Red Eye season two but Line Of Duty legend Martin Compston will guest star in a mysterious role.
ITV did not reveal any plot details other than there would be another conspiracy to be solved in the ‘highly pressurised’ world of Red Eye nor did it confirm a release date.
Season one follows Dr Matthew, who is accused of murdering a woman in Beijing, and immediately gets sent back on the final flight of the day after landing in London chaperoned by DC Hana.
After watching the propulsive thriller, viewers took to X to share they were gripped, including @kazzaaaaah, who wrote: ‘#redeye ridiculous but still got me hooked.’
Echoing their sentiment, @cheryl19899 said: ‘This #redeye is amazing. Obv I’ve gone straight to itvx to binge-watch the whole series. Who needs sleep anyway ???? #itvx.’
@KetvelinaA added: ‘I didn’t sleep until two o’clock in the morning, but I watched until the most magnificent ending. Intense, exciting and captivating.’
Richard, 53, previously spoke to Metro about filming Red Eye and revealed the entire show was shot in confined quarters to mimic a flight.
‘I was prepared to hate being trapped in the plane, but I loved it,’ he recalled.
Richard, however, has not been confirmed for the follow-up (Picture: Robert Viglasky/Bad Wolf/Sony Pi)‘The claustrophobia added to the tension of the story, and we all appreciated that. It was a pressure cooker and totally thrilling.’
The Stranger actor also revealed the team shot scenes in Stansted airport while it was still open to the public.
‘Some people were running into WH Smith going: “There’s a man being arrested”,’ Richard previously told us.
‘I’d gone into a zone. You’re hyper-aware but also just focused on getting in, and getting out quickly. In a big packed room like that, getting out after they’ve yelled “cut” is my instinct. I had to go find somewhere to hide.’
Last year, Red Eye launched with audiences of over 8 million viewers and 29.3m streams on ITVX, making it one of ITV’s top ten dramas of 2024.
Martin will guest star in Red Eye season 2 (Picture: Euan Cherry/Getty Images)Speaking about Red Eye season two, Martin said: ‘I’m delighted to be joining the Red Eye team.
‘[I’m] hoping to build on the massive success of the first series and give viewers another thrilling ride.’
Jing added: ‘I’m incredibly excited to return to the world of Red Eye, and thrilled to be sharing this rollercoaster with the brilliant Martin Compston.’
Red Eye season two is coming to ITV and ITVX.
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