ITV's high-altitude thriller, Red Eye, makes a dramatic return for a second series tonight, Thursday 1st January 2026, at 9pm. Following popular demand, the show is back with a fresh crisis and a significantly revamped cast, led by a new face in the cockpit.
A New Lead Takes Control
While fans of the first series will be pleased to know Richard Armitage will briefly reprise his role as Dr Matthew Nolan in episode five, he steps aside as the central character. Stepping into the leading role is Martin Compston, the celebrated actor best known for his portrayal of DS Steve Arnott in the BBC's hit series Line of Duty.
Compston will play Clay Brody, the security boss at the US Embassy in London. Detective Constable Hana Li, played once again by Jing Lusi, is less than thrilled to be paired with him on a new case, despite their history of training together in the police force.
The High-Stakes Plot and Returning Faces
The action kicks off with a terrifying new scenario. DC Hana Li is tasked with investigating a serious bomb threat made against a passenger plane. The stakes are raised exponentially because the aircraft is carrying Madeline Delaney, the director-general of MI5, portrayed by the acclaimed actress Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey, After Life).
Jing Lusi returns as the determined Hana, whose career has flourished since her breakout in Holby City, with roles in Gangs of London and Crazy Rich Asians. Her complicated relationship with her half-sister, investigative journalist Jess Li (Jemma Moore), also continues, adding a personal layer to the professional chaos.
Meet the New Characters Joining the Flight
The expanded cast for this tense new chapter includes several notable names. Trevor White (Downton Abbey, The Durrells) joins as the new and anxious US ambassador to the UK, Ronald Tillman.
Within MI5, Sharp's Madeline Delaney must contend with her closest rival, John Tennant, played by Jonathan Aris (Sherlock, Andor), who she beat to the top job. Meanwhile, a suspicious individual named Fox, portrayed by Tom Forbes (Champion, Queenie), appears deeply involved in the plot against Delaney.
Back at the Metropolitan Police, Hana continues to navigate a fraught relationship with her boss, Simon O'Brien, played by Robert Gilbert (Killing Eve, Big Boys), whose orders she frequently chooses to ignore.
The ensemble is rounded out by other key players including Steph Lacey as Megan Campbell, Nicholas Rowe as Alex Peterson, Cash Holland as Ruth Banks, and Danusia Samal as Captain Sarah Wright.
With a new lead, a deadly mid-air conspiracy, and a roster of top British acting talent, Red Eye season two promises to deliver another gripping and suspense-filled journey for ITV viewers starting tonight.
