Apple TV Renews 'Hijack' for Season 2

It's a truth universally acknowledged that when a series is popular, it's likely to get a second season, whether or not it was necessarily originally created with a renewal in mind. Such is the case with Apple TV+'s Hijack, a fast-paced thriller starring Idris Elba (Luther) that seemingly wrapped up its story after a single season, but has now officially been greenlit for a second. Whether that means Elba's character will find himself next rescuing passengers on a boat or train—or doing something completely different—is anyone's guess, 

The series' first season, which was told via a real-time format spread across its seven episodes, was a hit for the streamer, becoming its second series (after Ted Lasso) to crack the Nielsen Streaming Originals Top 10 list. In it, Elba plays Sam Nelson, a badass, corporate negotiator forced to put his problem-solving skills to the test with life-or-death stakes attached when his seven-hour flight from Dubai to London is hijacked by terrorists.

“I was floored by the overwhelming audience response after season one. It’s top secret what new situation unfolds for Sam Nelson but I can assure you we will bring the high octane back!” Elba said in a statement.  

Details about any potential Season 2 story are firmly under wraps for the moment, but as the name of the show is Hijack it does seem most likely Sam is about to find himself in another dangerous situation. But, look at the Taken franchise. How many family members have Liam Neeson had to rescue from kidnappers by this point? The fun of the series is its tense, propulsive nature , and that's certainly something that transcends things like setting and premise.

Hijack is created by George Kay (Lupin) and Jim Field Smith (Litvinenko). Alongside Elba, the series' first season also featured Archie Panjabi (Shetland), Eve Myles (Keeping Faith), Christine Adams (Black Lightning), Max Beesley (Jamestown), Ben Miles (Napoleon), Neil Maskell (Peaky Blinders), Jasper Britton (Blackbeard), Harry Michell (The English Game), Aimée Kelly (Grantchester), and Mohamed Elsande.  

It's unclear which, if any, of the Season 1 might cast return, given that the setting of the series is likely to change dramatically in its second outing, but hope springs eternal. 

“Global audiences were on tenterhooks watching Idris’s riveting performance in ‘Hijack,’ and we’re thrilled to be working again with 60Forty and Idiotlamp on an equally compelling season two,” Jay Hunt, creative director, Europe, Apple TV+, said in a statement.

Season 2 will be executive produced by Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, and Tom Nash at 60Forty Films, alongside executive producers Kay and Field Smith’s own production company Idiotlamp Productions. Field Smith also serves as lead director for the series.

The first season of Hijack is currently streaming on Apple TV+.