The First Images From 'Vigil' Season 2 See Suranne Jones Turn to the Skies

Vigil is probably the most popular thriller you've actually never seen. The BBC drama, which followed the investigation of a murder on board a nuclear-powered British submarine submarine, boasted an unusual premise and a stellar cast, led by Surrane Jones (Gentleman Jack) and Rose Leslie (The Time Traveler's Wife). But while it was a rather big hit in the U.K., its American premiere came and went with relatively little fanfare. (Whether that's because Peacock didn't put that much promotion behind its debut or because the streamer still has yet to establish itself as a destination for Anglophile fare seems like a coin toss at this point.)

But, as the series gets ready to launch its second season, hope springs eternal that Vigil will manage to find the audience it deserves here in the U.S. Season 2 will make for an easy entry point for new fans, as it leaves behind the bowels of an active duty submarine for dark conspiracies in the sunnier world of the British Air Force. 

Jones is back as Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva, who spent the series' first season trying find answers about the suspicious death of a crew member aboard the Trident HMS Vigil. Season 2 will see her take to the sky — metaphorically speaking at least — as she and DI Longacre enter the secret world of drone warfare in order to catch a killer. 

Following multiple deaths at a Scottish weapons test, Silva and Longacre are tasked with finding out the cause.Entering the closed ranks of the air force in Scotland and the Middle East, the pair face the deadly warfare of tomorrow as they fight for their own uncertain future. 

“I’m delighted that Suranne and Rose are returning to reprise their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre," said series creator Tom Edge said in a statement. "I'm grateful to the BBC for the opportunity to take them on a thrilling new adventure. World Productions have built a fantastic reputation for twisting, turning thrillers and this one corkscrews with the best of them.”

Alongside Jones and Leslie Gary Lewis (His Dark Materials) is also back for Season 2 as DSU Robertson. (Few other Season 1 cast members are returning for the drama's second outing, which makes sense given that the setting of the show is changing so drastically.)

As a result, Vigil is adding several new faces to the series' ensemble for Season 2, including Romola Garai (Becoming Elizabeth), Dougray Scott (Crime), Amir El-Masry (Rogue Heroes), David Elliot (Bulletproof), Chris Jenks  (Karen Pirie), Tommy Sim’aan (The Midwich Cuckoos), Oscar Salem (House of the Dragon), Jonathan Ajayi (Noughts + Crosses) and newcomer Hiba Medina. 

The first season of Vigil was the BBC's most-watched new drama launch since the premiere of the smash hit drama Bodyguard in 2018, attracting over 13 million viewers and landing a BAFTA nomination for Best Drama Series.

The series is written by Edge, with additional episodes written by Maryam Hamidi, James Smythe and Ryan O'Sullivan, and Matilda Wnek. Andy De Emmony (The Nest) and Josh Agnew (Outlander) shared directing duties on Season 2. The series producer is Marcus Wilson (Doctor Who) and associate producer is George Aza-Selinger. Executive producers include Edge, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, and Simon Heath and Jake Lushington for World Productions

The six-part second season was filmed in Scotland and Morocco and will air on BBC One and Player later this year. It will once again come to America on Peacock, though there's no information as yet on potential U.S. premiere dates. Vigil Season 1 is currently streaming on Peacock.