5 and Acorn TV have recommissioned detective drama Ellis from Company Pictures, in association with All3Media International and Northern Ireland Screen.

Series two (3×120’) will once again follow DCI Ellis, played by three-time Olivier Award winner and BAFTA nominee Sharon D Clarke, a tenacious cop who, along with her right-hand man DS Harper, played by Andrew Gower (The Winter King, Carnival Row, Outlander), is parachuted into failing investigations across the north of England.

The second series of Ellis was ordered for 5 by Sebastian Cardwell, Head of Drama, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK and Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Scripted, 5. Both also serve as executive producers for the series. Catherine Mackin, Managing Director of Acorn Media Enterprises (AME), commissioned the series for Acorn TV and executive produces alongside Bea Tammer, AME’s Director of Development. Executive producers for Company Pictures are CEO Michele Buck and Lucy Raffety, with producer Martin Mahon and co-producer Ana Ture. Created by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre with Paul Logue, the second series will be written by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre (Ep1), Oliver Frampton (Ep2), and Maria Ward (Ep3).

All3Media International, co-producer and global partner on Ellis, has sold the first series of Ellis across Europe, Australia and Asia alongside 5 in the UK and Acorn TV in North America, Australia and New Zealand. In Europe, the series will air on Germany and German speaking territories on ZDF, Flemish Belgium on VRT, Sweden on SVT and the Netherlands on NPO, whilst BBC Studios has licensed the series in the Balkans and Central Eastern Europe. Throughout the rest of the world Ellis S1 will air in Australia on Nine Network, in a second window deal after Acorn’s premiere in the region, in addition to the show launching this month on Mystery Channel in Japan.

Sharon D Clarke says: “I am thrilled to return as DCI Ellis. The response to the first series was overwhelming, and I am excited to continue this journey with such a talented team, especially with the wonderful Andrew Gower by my side. Ellis is a character who resonates deeply, and I can’t wait for audiences to see what we have in store for her and Harper in series two.”

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Scripted, 5 comments: “Following the huge success of the first series of Ellis, we are thrilled for it to return with the brilliant Sharon D Clarke and Andrew Gower reprising their roles. We can’t wait to bring the detective duo back to the 5 audience next year”.

Michele Buck, CEO, Company Pictures (an All3Media company), adds: “I’m thrilled Ellis has been a success for 5 and Acorn TV and so happy to return for a second series, creating new and engrossing stories for fans and new audiences to watch.”

David Swetman, SVP Content and Commercial Strategy at All3 Media International commented: “We’re delighted to reveal the first round of premium global partners bringing Company Pictures’ Ellis to an international audience. With a second season now commissioned, it’s fantastic to bring our clients and their audiences a new slate of compelling mysteries led by the enigmatic and brilliant DCI Ellis — a standout new addition to our distinct and celebrated detective lineup brought to life by an exceptional performance from Sharon D Clarke.”

Ellis series two is set to begin filming this month and will air on 5 and Acorn TV in 2026.