When Channel 5’s detective drama Ellis debuted its first season in October 2024, it quickly became a fan favorite, praised for its sharp writing, compelling lead performances, and the fresh twist it brought to the British crime genre. Now, after much anticipation, the show has returned for a second season, but not all viewers are convinced it’s lived up to the original’s promise.
The new series launched on March 10, 2026, with Sharon D Clarke reprising her acclaimed role as DCI Ellis and Andrew Gower returning as her steadfast partner, DS Chet Harper. The dynamic duo once again finds themselves dispatched across northern England to untangle complex cases, but this time, their journey begins in the fictional village of Ashenham—a place that, while rooted in the north of England in the show’s universe, was actually brought to life amid the verdant hills and rugged coastlines of Northern Ireland.
The opening episode wastes no time setting the stakes: Peter Barron, a generous local businessman known for launching a program to help young offenders by providing them jobs at a garden center, is found dead at his property. As shock ripples through Ashenham, suspicion quickly takes root. The local police, overwhelmed and out of their depth, call in the seasoned expertise of Ellis and Harper. According to The Mirror, ACC Alison Leighton, played by Allison Harding, “wastes no time in parachuting in Ellis and Harper. With her forensic eye, Ellis recognizes the situation for what it is: murder.”
But despite the dramatic setup and the return of familiar faces, the response from fans has been unexpectedly mixed. As reported by Channel 5, social media buzzed with disappointment after the series two premiere. One viewer confessed, “I am not as gripped by the new episode so far.” Another echoed the sentiment: “Disappointed. Loved the last series, but this has got off to a rather wooden and uninspiring series two.” A third chimed in, “New to this but it seems very cliched. Will try and stick with it but so far it’s like it has been written from a kit.”
Yet, not all feedback was negative. Some loyal fans were simply glad to see Ellis back on their screens. As one fan put it, “Good to have #Ellis back, I’ve been looking forward to it.” For those eager to see how the mystery unfolds, the second episode aired the following night, March 11, with further episodes scheduled for March 17 and 18, 2026—each promising new twists and a fresh investigation.
One of the most talked-about aspects of the new season is its expanded cast. Alongside Clarke and Gower, Charlotte McCurry returns as DC Kate Trent, and Allison Harding continues as ACC Leighton. But it’s the guest stars who have really caught viewers’ attention. John Hollingworth, known for his roles in Poldark and Doc Martin, joins as DS Malcolm Oliver, while Niamh Blackshaw, familiar from Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road, appears as Jade Bell. The lineup also features Sasha Desouza-Willock as PC Suravi Kareem, Joel Morris as Joseph Ward, Cariad Lloyd as Pippa Ellerson, Keir Charles as Chris Ellerson, and Sonny Walker as Kelvin Jones. The first two episodes also highlight guest turns from James Doran, Kirsty Bushell, Hannah Chinn, Elliot Douglas, Kyle Ndukuba, and Faolan Morgan.
The production’s move to Northern Ireland has added a striking visual dimension to the series. While the story is set in the north of England, filming took place at some of Northern Ireland’s most scenic locations. The fictional Ashenham was shot in the coastal village of Glenarm, home to the picturesque Glenarm Castle. Slemish Mountain provided the dramatic backdrop for the Ash Tor scenes, and a family-run building supplies company on the outskirts of Belfast stood in for the industrial site featured in episode two. Downpatrick and Drumaness served as the principal village of Elmsly, with Downpatrick’s Georgian brick buildings lending authenticity to the police station and the Quinn family home.
Speaking to The Mirror about the filming experience, Sharon D Clarke enthused, “For series two, our audiences can expect more. More joy, more twists, more turns, more cases, more beautiful locations, more wonderful guests. Lots of red herrings, lots of clues to trip you up, but also things to make your head spin and make you think.” She added, “That’s the beautiful thing about the show: it’s location-based, so you’re not in the same police station every week with the same colleagues. You get out and about and you see different people, and such beautiful, lovely creative talent have joined the Ellis family this year.”
Clarke was especially taken with the Northern Irish countryside, sharing, “It’s glorious. Costa del Belfast! I’m not going to lie, the weather is still brutal. I still find it brutal. But it is so verdant. And the fact that you can get everywhere so quickly. So you can be in the city centre, and then you can be in rolling hillsides within moments. It’s been an absolute pleasure seeing this countryside in all its gloriousness.” She recounted the challenge—and beauty—of filming on Slemish Mountain: “We watched the fog rolling in, or what I thought was fog, but it turned out to be rain. We watched it come up and come towards us, and then it was over us, and then it rained horizontally and passed, and we watched the next bank come in, and that’s how the day was. But when it was clear, it was glorious. It was just glorious, watching sunsets and being able to breathe deeply and meditate in nature.”
Andrew Gower, for his part, was equally impressed. “It’s special. The landscape is amazing. It gives you everything you need. You’ve got the hills, the beaches, the industry, so it’s an amazing experience. I had never filmed in Northern Ireland or even been here before series one so it was a great experience for me to get to know not only the amazing infrastructure that they have for filming, but also to get to know Belfast and the beautiful landscapes of Northern Ireland.” He continued, “We’ve got a lot to be proud of when it comes to our scenery, and Northern Ireland really offers that. It gives each episode a real backdrop and palette to play with.”
Despite the vocal disappointment from some fans, Ellis season two continues to draw viewers with its blend of familiar faces, fresh talent, and stunning locations. With two investigations spanning four episodes, there’s plenty of opportunity for the series to recapture the magic that made its debut such a hit. Whether the show’s new direction will win over its more skeptical audience remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: DCI Ellis and her team aren’t done yet.