Sky and the production team frame this as a dream casting coup, with creator Matt Charman calling Hawes 'mesmerising' and 'terrifying' as she raises the stakes for the existing cast.
Insiders whisper that Sky moved quickly to secure Hawes after Season 1’s massive viewership numbers, aiming to replicate the critical acclaim of Line of Duty by pairing two heavyweight British actresses in a high-pressure cat-and-mouse dynamic.
Season 2 is a six-part series written by Oscar-nominee Matt Charman and Sophie Petzal. New cast includes Solly McLeod and David Dawson. Hawes plays Dr. Regan Weaver, a psychologist framed for murder. Production is by Binocular with Sky Studios support.
Sky is doubling down on British prestige drama, and Hawes’ involvement signals that Prisoner is no longer just a sleeper hit—it’s a heavyweight contender.
If you thought Keeley Hawes was done playing tough, think again. The Bodyguard and Line of Duty star is officially stepping into the fire pit of Sky’s gritty thriller Prisoner for its second season. According to exclusive details from The Hollywood Reporter, Hawes will portray Dr.
Regan Weaver, a brilliant psychologist and notorious prisoner whose secrets are worth killing for. This isn’t just a cameo; it’s a lead role that promises to shake up the dynamic established in the first installment, which featured Tahar Rahim and became one of the year’s most-watched Sky Original dramas. The chemistry here is the real story, as Hawes’ character forces protagonist Amber Todd, played by Izuka Hoyle, into an impossible situation.
The plot twist? Amber Todd, a prison transport officer already scarred by the trauma of Season 1, is framed for murder and forced to go on the run with Weaver. The two women form an unexpected bond while being hunted by a terrifying trifecta: criminals, governments, and rogue police.
Matt Charman, the Oscar-nominated writer behind Bridge of Spies who created the series, didn’t hold back in his praise. "Amber went to hell and back in season one... to raise the stakes in season two, we needed a prisoner who would push her further than ever," Charman stated. He called having Hawes join the cast "a dream come true," describing her performance as "mesmerising" and "absolutely terrifying." This isn’t a solo act, either.
The production is stacking the deck with serious talent to keep the pressure on. Solly McLeod, known for Star City and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, joins the cast alongside David Dawson of My Policeman and Elijah Cook from The Diplomat. Returning faces from the first season, including Catherine McCormack and Leonie Benesch, will provide continuity as the story escalates.
The second series is again written by Charman, this time with deputy showrunner Sophie Petzal, who previously worked on Blood and The Last Kingdom. It’s a creative team that clearly knows how to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, and they are leaning into the high-octane reputation the show has already earned. Behind the scenes, the logistics are just as impressive.
Anthony Philipson, who directed The Day of the Jackal, is at the helm for the early episodes, with Kasia Adamik taking over later ones. The production, handled by Binocular in association with Sky Studios, received support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales. With NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handling international sales, Prisoner is poised to break out of its UK stronghold.
Hawes’ involvement is the final piece of the puzzle, transforming the series from a respected niche drama into a global event. If Season 1 was a warning shot, Season 2 is the full-scale assault, and with Hawes leading the charge, the stakes have never been higher.
