The Game has returned for season two on Channel 5, bringing with it a string of new cast members, including Sonny Ashbourne Serkis, who plays Sam Fielding.
The cat-and-mouse thriller stars Jason Watkins as former detective Huw Miller and Robson Green as serial killer Patrick Harbottle. It landed on Channel 5 on Tuesday, September 1 at 9pm.
The new series picks up a year after season one, with Huw under the impression he has escaped the psychological grip of serial killer Patrick, who is now imprisoned for his crimes. However, Patrick is far from finished. From behind bars, he begins a new game, one that reaches deep into Huw's family, dismantling the former detective's moral compass and forcing him toward an unthinkable choice.
Who is Sonny Ashbourne Serkis?
While Sunetra Sarker, Indy Lewis and Amber James are reprising their roles alongside Huw and Patrick, new faces include Amanda Bright as Natalie Gower and Sonny Ashbourne Serkis as Sam Fielding. Sonny stars opposite Indy Lewis, who plays Margot Miller, Huw's daughter. Sonny's character Sam is Margot's new boyfriend.
Speaking about her scenes with Sonny, which were filmed in the Basque Country, Indy said: "Lovely Sonny. He's been a very nice addition to the cast, especially because he's a little bit closer to me in age. Sam is part of the 'fresh start' idea."
"There's a one-year time jump since series one. Sam is a relationship in Margot's life that seems so much more natural, stable, safe, and normal compared to all these other things that are going on. Through their relationship you get to see a softer side of Margot."
His famous family and Robson Green link
At 26 years old, Sonny has already starred in a number of huge productions, including the Apple TV+ hit Masters of the Air, where he played Evans across three episodes alongside Callum Turner and Austin Butler. He has also starred in The Witcher and Young Wallander and is no stranger to Channel 5 dramas, having played Joshua Quinn in season two of Ellis.
He also has a link to Robson Green after taking on the role of Dexter Sutton in Grantchester, the longstanding ITV drama which sees Robson play detective inspector Geordie Keating. The popular series will come to an end with series 11, and Robson has revealed Sonny will play a huge part.
Speaking about his The Game co-star, Robson said: "He plays a pivotal role in Grantchester's final season. Let's just say we go out with a bang and the cause of that bang is Sonny Serkis. He's amazing, like his father. That family dynasty they've got there."
"I had the scripts of The Game and I read the character Sam. I said to Sonny, 'What are you doing for the next three months? Do you mind me putting your name forward?' I explained to him briefly what the show was and what the part was. He went and auditioned, and he got the part and he's fantastic."
As Robson mentioned, Sonny is part of a family dynasty as he's not the only famous member of his clan. Sonny's parents are Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne. Andy is best known for playing Gollum in the huge franchise Lord of the Rings and Caesar in Planet of the Apes. Viewers might also recognise him as Snoke in Star Wars and as David Robey in Luther.
His mother Lorraine has an equally impressive resume, starring as Mrs. Varley in the Netflix hit Bridgerton, Daphne Sparrow in Sherwood, Jess in Riot Women and Molly Marshall in After the Flood. Sonny's siblings are also no strangers to the screen. His older sister Ruby has starred in Becoming Elizabeth, I, Jack Wright and more recently Star City. While his younger brother Louis has featured in BBC's drama Wild Cherry, Out There and the fantasy adventure film The Kid Who Would Be King.
The Game season two starts on Channel 5 at 9pm on Tuesday, September 1.
