ITV's Red Eye Drama Set for Third Series Revival After Streaming Success
Popular ITV drama Red Eye is reportedly set to return for a third series, dispelling earlier fears that the show might be axed. This renewal comes after the programme faced stiff competition and initially underwhelming viewing figures, but ultimately triumphed thanks to impressive streaming numbers on ITVX.
Overcoming Early Challenges and Competition
The drama launched on New Year's Day and went head-to-head with one of the most hyped shows of 2026, BBC's The Night Manager, which presented a significant challenge from the outset. A TV insider commented, 'The drama launched on New Year's Day and went up against one of the most hyped shows of 2026 so far, so it always faced a challenge. But it met that challenge and also had the figures hugely boosted by viewers watching it on streaming service ITVX, which is one of the most important measures of a programme's success these days.'
Initially, viewing figures did not look promising, but the show's performance on ITVX changed the narrative completely. Red Eye reached an impressive 29 million streams on the platform after eight million fans tuned in for its debut, cementing its status as one of ITV's top dramas of 2024.
Cast Returns and Plot Details
According to reports, Line of Duty star Martin Compston will reprise his role for the third series. He joined the cast in the second series as Clay Brody, the Head of Embassy Security and a former colleague of DS Hana Li, played by Jing Lusi, who once 'screwed her over'. The series, which first aired last year, stars Richard Armitage as a doctor accused of a horrifying crime overseas and Jing Lusi as the police officer tasked with returning him to the UK.
The tense six-part series, set almost entirely on a plane in its first season, follows the duo as they uncover a rapidly escalating conspiracy and a growing number of murders. In the second series, the action shifted to a US Embassy in London, where celebrations for a newly-appointed US Ambassador are shattered by a threat to blow up a British plane, triggering an immediate lockdown.
The synopsis reads: 'Inside the US Embassy, the celebrations for a newly-appointed US Ambassador to London are shattered when a call, threatening to blow a British plane out of the sky if anyone leaves, triggers an immediate embassy lockdown, trapping guests and staff inside. That's when the murders begin, landing Hana Li, as a British cop, in a political and jurisdictional nightmare.'
Hana is compelled to join forces with Clay Brody, despite her distrust, to investigate the killings. 'Because this time it's personal. The plane that will be blown up is a government jet and Director General Madeline Delaney is onboard.' With a killer evading them at every turn, Hana and Brody must uncover the plot before time runs out for hostages in the Embassy and passengers on the plane.
Supporting Cast and Future Prospects
Martin Compston and Jing Lusi are joined by Lesley Sharp as Head of MI5 Madeline Delaney and Jemma Moore as journalist Jess Li. The insider added, 'So from fearing it might not return, it now looks like bringing Red Eye back is a bit of a no brainer for ITV. Though they've yet to officially recommission the third outing or confirm castings.' Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment, but no official confirmation has been made yet.
The show's success on ITVX highlights the shifting landscape of television consumption, where streaming metrics are increasingly vital for a programme's longevity. With its gripping plot and strong cast, Red Eye appears poised for a successful third series, much to the delight of its dedicated fanbase.
