‘Belgravia’ reveals all-new cast for ‘The Next Chapter’

Last week brought the unexpected news that Belgravia is returning for another season!

It’s three years since the launch of ITV’s period drama series, which was based on the bestselling 2016 novel by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.

The first season of Belgravia is now streaming on MGM+ and you can watch it free with a 7-day trial here!

Set in London in the 1840s, the six-part mini-series boasted an brilliant line-up of British actors, including Tamsin Greig (Episodes), Philip Glenister (Life on Mars), Harriet Walter (Downton Abbey), and Tom Wilkinson (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel).

However, it’s all change for the second season, which will be titled Belgravia: The Next Chapter.

Picking up the story in 1871, three decades after the final events of the original series, the eight new episodes will introduce a completely different cast.

None of the original actor are expected to return.

Instead, the main characters will be played by Harriet Slater (Pennyworth), Ben Wainwright (World on Fire), Edward Bluemel (My Lady Jane), Claude Perron (Balenciaga), and Elaine Cassidy (The Wonder).

Period drama fans will recognise Cassidy from her role as Katherine Weston in both seasons of the BBC’s 19th century hotel drama The Paradise.

Also playing recurring characters in Belgravia: The Next Chapter are Toby Regbo (A Discovery of Witches) and Hannah Onslow (This is Going to Hurt).

Regbo has appeared in Reign, The Last Kingdom and Medici, and you may have seen Onslow in Empire of Light and Ridley Road.

They’re joined by Sophie Thompson (EastEnders), and Sophie Winkleman (Strike).

Sister of Emma Thompson, Sophie has been in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Gosford Park and Emma, while Winkleman’s credits include Sanditon, The Chronicles of Narnia and the upcoming Wonka movie.

The cast isn’t the only big change for Season 2, with Belgravia creator Julian Fellowes stepping down as lead writer to work on The Gilded Age.

Helen Edmundson (Dalgliesh, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher) is taking over as lead writer, although Fellowes is still on board as executive producer, alongside Downton Abbey exec Gareth Neame.

The official synopsis reads: “Belgravia: The Next Chapter picks up in 1871, three decades after the events depicted in the 2020 limited series, and tells the love story of Frederick Trenchard, who has grown up as the third Lord Trenchard, and his new love interest, Clara Dunn, who is a newcomer to London society.

“Unaware that his birth was the product of an affair between his mother Susan and the scoundrel John Bellasis, a troubled childhood has left Frederick deeply insecure, which challenges his courtship of and marriage to Clara.”

With filming underway in England right now, Belgravia: The Next Chapter looks set to premiere this winter on MGM+ in the US.

In the UK, it’ll be airing on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX.

The second season of Julian Fellowes’ The Gilded Age is also expected to arrive later this year.

Belgravia is available to watch on MGM+.