Channel 4's critically acclaimed and record-breaking drama, Patience, makes its highly anticipated return to screens tonight for a second series. The show, which was the broadcaster's most successful and well-loved drama of 2025, comes back with new cases, fresh faces, and heightened tension.
A Record-Breaking First Series
The return is built on the phenomenal success of the first season. Patience became Channel 4's biggest drama hit of last year, pulling in an average audience of 4.2 million viewers across its eight-episode run. The series follows Patience, a young autistic woman played by Ella Maisy Purvis, who works in the criminal records department of the Yorkshire Police. Her unique perspective and meticulous mind prove invaluable in solving a series of complex and baffling cases.
Reflecting on the show's popularity, star Ella Maisy Purvis said she was "beyond thrilled" to return. "The response and popularity of Series 1 was staggering," she commented, adding that the new series is "jam packed with action and tension."
New Challenges and a Star Addition
Series two introduces a major new character who shakes up the dynamic at the police station. BAFTA-winning actress Jessica Hynes joins the cast as Detective Inspector Frankie Monroe, a new boss with a distinct management style that challenges Patience and the entire team.
Hynes, renowned for roles in Spaced, W1A, and There She Goes, expressed her excitement about joining the project. "I've never done anything like it," she said. "Pushing myself out of my comfort zone was an exhilarating challenge and the first series was one of Channel 4's most successful and well-loved dramas of 2025."
What to Expect in the New Episodes
The new series promises more intricate cases set against striking Yorkshire backdrops, including the iconic York Minster. Alongside the professional puzzles, viewers will see Patience navigate a budding romance with colleague Elliot Scott, played by Tom Lewis. The station itself undergoes changes with the arrival of a new PR consultant.
The core cast returns, including Nathan Welsh as DS Jake Hunter, Mark Benton as Calvin Baxter, and Adrian Rawlins as Douglas Gilmore. They are joined by new faces Liza Sadovy as Dr. Loretta Parsons.
Patience series two begins on Channel 4 on Wednesday, January 7 at 9pm. With its winning formula of heart, mystery, and brilliant characterisation, the show is poised to captivate the nation once again.
