Full trailer released for Red Eye series 2 as Martin Compston joins cast
It begins on New Year's Day!
Last updated 1st Dec 2025
With dramas such as Trigger Point and Mr Bates vs The Post Office, ITV/STV bosses released some record-breaking shows in the first quarter of 2024, which also included high-octane drama Red Eye.
The drama, which starred Richard Armitage and Jing Lusi, launched on ITV/STV on Sunday 21st April 2024, and it's now hit 29.3m streams and was one of channel's top ten dramas of the year, exceeding eight million viewers.
Bosses quickly renewed the show for a second series, with Line of Duty and The Rig star Martin Compston joining the cast. The full trailer has now been released, as well as the start date!
Will there be a second series?
News emerged on Wednesday 11th September 2024 that Red Eye has been commissioned for a second series.
ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill, said: “I am so delighted to see the success of Red Eye. It’s incredible to get an audience of over 8 million and a huge thank you to everyone involved for making such a brilliant and addictive thriller. I can’t wait for audiences to see where Pete takes series 2. It’s another exciting ride!”
Executive Producers Julie Gardner and Lachlan MacKinnon, added: “We’re thrilled to be embarking on another high-octane ride with Peter A Dowling, Polly Hill and her team at ITV. We’re beyond grateful to the audience who embraced all the twists and turns of series 1 with such enthusiasm. Expect more thrills and spills to follow.”
What will series two be about?
The first look trailer shows Head of MI5 Madeline Delany (Lesley Sharp) bringing in DS Hana Li after a murder occurs inside the US Embassy.
Series two sees Jing Lusi reprising her role as DS Hana Li alongside actor Martin Compston, who together, must set aside past differences to solve a new high-stakes conspiracy.
Is there a trailer?
The full trailer for series two was released on Sunday 30th November. You can watch it below:
Jing said: “I'm incredibly excited to return to the world of Red Eye, and thrilled to be sharing this rollercoaster with the brilliant Martin Compston.”
Martin added: “I’m delighted to be joining the Red Eye team. Hoping to build on the massive success of the first series and give viewers another thrilling ride."
When will it be on TV?
Series two of Red Eye will begin on New Year's Day.
Who is in the cast for series 2?
Although Richard Armitage won't feature in series two, Jing Lusi will return as DS Hana Li with a new conspiracy to solve in the high-octane world of Red Eye.
Lesley Sharp and Jemma Moore also reprise their roles as Head of MI5 Madeline Delaney and journalist Jess Li.
A new face joining the cast for series two is Scottish actor Martin Compston.
Martin said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Red Eye team. Hoping to build on the massive success of the first series and give viewers another thrilling ride.”
Jing Lusi added: “I'm incredibly excited to return to the world of Red Eye, and thrilled to be sharing this rollercoaster with the brilliant Martin Compston.”
Other new cast members joining include Isaura Barbe-Brown (Guilt), Nicholas Rowe (The Crown), Danusia Samal (The Great), Trevor White (Industry) and Guy Williams (London Has Fallen).
What was series one about?
The adrenaline-filled drama is set on an overnight flight from London to Beijing and the corridors of power within Whitehall.
According to ITV/STV, Red Eye's official synopsis for series one is: 'After attending a medical conference in Beijing and coming frighteningly close to dying in a car crash, Dr. Matthew Nolan, played by Richard Armitage, arrives home and is immediately arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport. Exhausted and confused, Nolan is accused of the murder of a woman who was in the car he crashed. Despite his protests that he was driving alone, Nolan is set to return to China to face charges.
'DC Hana Li, played by Jing Lusi is the no-nonsense London officer charged with accompanying Nolan back to Beijing. Her resentment for this assignment, and of Nolan himself, is immediate. However, in flight, when a first death occurs, DC Li begins to suspect foul play. Further deaths confirm that Nolan is in danger, and after a call from MI5, Hana finds herself embroiled in an escalating conspiracy.
'Back in London, we follow Hana’s sister, scrappy reporter Jess Li, played by Jemma Moore, who is running her own investigation into Nolan’s extradition and finds herself running for her life from an unknown assassin. And in Thames House, the head of MI5, Madeline Delaney, played by Lesley Sharp, breaks protocol and risks her entire career to not only help Hana and Nolan stay alive but also to expose an international conspiracy that seems to implicate both China and people in her own government.'
Is there a trailer?
Check out the trailer for series one of Red Eye below:
There's no trailer for series two just yet.
When did series one start?
The first episode aired on Sunday 21st April 2024 at 9pm, with weekly episodes every Sunday night.
How can I watch Red Eye?
All episodes from series one are now available on ITVX and STV Player.
The first series of Red Eye has now been broadcast in over 120 territories worldwide.
How many episodes?
There's six episodes in the first series, all one-hour long.
Series two is set to follow the same format.
Who was in the cast for series one?
Fool Me Once actor Richard Armitage plays the main role of Dr Matthew Nolan, whilst Gangs of London star Jing Lusi takes on the role of DC Hana Li.
As well as Richard and Jing, there's a long cast for the drama, check out the full cast of Red Eye series one below:
Jing Lusi as Hana Li
Richard Armitage as Matthew Nolan
Lesley Sharp as Madeline Delaney
Jemma Moore as Jess Li
Dan Li as Toni Zhang
Zoe Telford as Amber Hurst
Lucianne McEvoy as Kate Ward
Thomas Chaanhing as Chén
Jonathan Aris as John Tennant
Xiangyi Tan as Tiffany
Oliver Maltman as Steven Hurst
Robert Gilbert as Simon King
Rick Warden as Chris Peele
Aidan Cheng as Wú
Cash Holland as Ruth Banks
Kevan MacKenzie as Len Delaney
Mido Hamada as Mike Maxwell
Tai Yin Chan as Rén Yúnxi
Daphne Cheung as Mrs Ruǎn Yuè
David KS Tse as Minister Aìguó Táng
Ken Bradshaw as Officer Miller
Where was series one filmed?
Filming for the series took place in a number of different locations, with the majority of filming actually taking place on a real plane, not a set.
Speaking to Radio Times, main actress Jing Lusi explained: "Before we started filming, we weren't too sure how the space was going to work because it wasn't a purpose-built set where you can remove the walls for cameras, it was a real plane.
"Every time we filmed a scene, someone would have to close the doors manually, so it didn’t look like there was a door open on the side of the plane in mid-air. Thanks to the director, cinematographer and the phenomenal crew, they made true magic out of that small space."
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