An explosive new story at the heart of series two of Fortitude will see Dennis Quaid (Far from Heaven), Parminder Nagra (ER), Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones), Robert Sheehan (Misfits), and Ken Stott (The Missing) join the cast of the acclaimed Sky original drama co-produced by Pivot. With more chilling plot twists the ambitious thriller, set against the breath-taking backdrop of the Arctic Circle, will make a gripping return on Sky Atlantic in late 2016.

The first series of Fortitude is Sky Atlantic’s biggest drama commission to date, with the premiere episode having been watched more than 3.2 million times so far. It was not only a huge hit with Sky Atlantic customers but around the world, where broadcasters in more than 170 territories bought the drama. Fortitude is produced in association with Participant Media’s television network, Pivot, who also handles U.S. distribution for the series.

Viewers of the second series will enjoy a pacey new story that will see the Arctic town gripped by explosive events. In Fortitude nothing, and no-one, is ever what they seem. A fresh murder rocks the community and plunges it into turmoil. And out in the stunning icy wilderness, nature is growing even more unpredictable, deadly and dangerous.

The esteemed actors will join returning cast members Sofie Gråbøl (The Killing), Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones), Luke Treadaway (Clash of the Titans), Darren Boyd (Stan Lee’s Lucky Man), Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (Jar City), Mia Jexen (Happiness), Alexandra Moen (Strike Back), Verónica Echegui (The Cold Light of Day), Sienna Guillory (Stan Lee’s Lucky Man) and Ramon Tikaram (Jupiter Ascending).

Fortitude is one of a number of new Sky original dramas airing in 2016, including among others, the return of gothic horror Penny Dreadful, The Tunnel: Sabotage, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, The Five and brand new drama The Young Pope starring Jude Law and Diane Keaton, and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. Sky has over 100 dramas in production or development to complement its acquired content and extend its leadership on screen.

Zai Bennett, Director of Sky Atlantic, said: “I’m incredibly excited to welcome these great names to our already amazing returning cast for the next series of Fortitude. We know our customers love epic dramas and world class storytelling and they appreciate that having the very best actors are integral to bringing these shows to life. Its success around the world is testament to all involved and we are delighted to be working with Pivot again for this second series.”

Simon Donald, the creator and writer said: “Sky and Pivot are letting me return to the Arctic with Fortitude II. Given what happened in our story previously this may be somewhat reckless. But with Dennis Quaid, Michelle Fairley, Ken Stott, Parminder Nagra and Robert Sheehan to play with – somewhat reckless should get thrillingly intense.”

Belisa Balaban, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Pivot, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Sky once again on this bold Arctic thriller, and to welcome these extraordinary actors into the cozy, twisted world of Fortitude. The second season promises another unexpected journey into this melting glacial landscape.”

The creative team behind the cinematic first series will return with Simon Donald writing the explosive new story. Fifty Fathoms and Tiger Aspect will produce the drama with Sky Atlantic. Executive Producers for Fifty Fathoms/Tiger Aspect are Patrick Spence (Marvellous, Five Minutes of Heaven), Simon Donald (Low Winter Sun), Faye Dorn (Inspector George Gently) and Frith Tiplady (Ripper Street, Peaky Blinders). For Sky Atlantic, Executive Producers are Anne Mensah and Lizzie Gray. For Pivot, Executive Producers are Jeff Skoll and Chris Loveall.

The first series of Fortitude launched in January 2015 and was broadcast simultaneously across all Sky territories: UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria. As well as being Sky Atlantic’s most successful commission, it was also Sky Vision, the international distribution arm of Sky’s, best-selling show to date. The show has been sold to over 170 territories around the world and the production has been shortlisted for the best ‘International Programme Sales’ category at the 2016 Broadcast Awards.

Principal photography has started in London and the second series will broadcast simultaneously across all Sky territories on Sky Atlantic and in the United States on Pivot in late 2016.

Sky Atlantic