HIT thriller Hijack saw Idris Elba step up to save passengers being terrorised by gun-wielding fiends on a plane – but for series two, the creators have gone down a different track.
I can reveal that the sequel will see Apple TV+ shift all the action from the air on to a high-speed train hurtling through Europe.
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Filming is taking place now, with Idris returning as both executive producer and in the lead role of Sam Nelson.
Fans of the first outing will be pleased to know the follow-up is likely to be out next year.
A TV insider said: “Producers have clearly adopted the approach of the creative team who gave us the movie Speed, which dropped 30 years ago and featured a terrorist threat on a bus full of passengers.
“Then when the sequel, Speed: Cruise Control, came along a year later in 1997, it was essentially the same story but lifted lock, stock and barrel on to a ship.”
The Sun exclusively revealed in July last year that Hijack had been such a success that the team behind the show were already working on a sequel.
But Apple TV+ only confirmed it seven months later.
The first series saw “corporate negotiator” Sam use his powers of persuasion to help a hijacked plane make a safe landing, saving the lives of all on board.
For the second series, Archie Panjabi, Max Beesley and Ben Miles will be rejoining the cast alongside Idris.
Speaking earlier this year, Idris said: “I was floored by the audience response after season one.
“It’s top secret what new situation unfolds for Sam but I can assure you we will bring the high-octane back.”
Here’s hoping that Hijack 2 is a bigger hit than Speed 2.
After shifting the story on to a ship, that film sank without a trace — and immediately killed off the film franchise.
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Bizbit
THE BBC has commissioned a second series of Bafta-winning comedy Dinosaur, to be shown on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.
Made by Two Brothers Pictures, who gave us Fleabag and The Tourist, the show is set in Glasgow. Filming will begin next year in the Scottish city.
HAVE A MARIE XMAS
A TRIP to Saint Marie is an integral part of Christmas Day for TV viewers.
And BBC bosses have lined up another thrilling ride for this year’s Death In Paradise special.
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It will guest star Jim Howick, Angela Griffin and Marcus Brigstocke, as well as Happy Valley’s Steven Hartley, Hotel Portofino’s Elizabeth Carling, Supacell’s Michael Salami and Dex Lee from Doctors.
They join brand new Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) and the rest of the gang.
The episode will see Danny John-Jules’ Officer Dwayne Myers joined by his father Nelson, played by Ram John Holder, while the team grapple with their most puzzling murder cases yet.
Three men, all unconnected apart from dressing as Santa, seem to have been shot with the same gun at the same time.
’Tis the season!
Bizbit
SKY and Amazon have announced a new extension of their long-term collaboration that will see Prime Video continue to be available on Sky devices.
It means Sky customers in the UK and across much of Europe will still be able to watch Sky and Prime Video shows in one place.
ONE EL OF A BABY
POLDARK star Eleanor Tomlinson shows off her substantial baby bump with hunky rugby player husband Will Owen by her side.
Forget the pensive looks of Demelza, who she played opposite Aidan Turner in the moody period drama now she’s all smiles.
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Eleanor revealed she was going to be a mum in a cute Instagram post last month.
It featured a picture of a babygrow with the words “Baby Owen” on the front.
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Alongside it, she wrote: “Can’t wait to meet you, little one.”
Judging by the size of Daddy, I suspect it might be quite a big one.
