‘Sanditon’ reveals six new main characters for second season

A number of new regular cast members have joined the new season of Sanditon.

Season 2 started production in England last week, following the first script read-through earlier in July.

Based on Jane Austen’s unfinished final novel, Sanditon premiered back in 2019, but was then cancelled early last year.

However, following a passionate campaign from fans, ITV’s period drama series received a surprise two-season renewal this spring!

We recently confirmed all the actors from Season 1 who’ll be returning.

With Theo James not reprising his role as Sidney, inevitably Season 2 is adding several brand new characters, and we’ve got the first details of these here.

Alexander Vlahos, best known for his roles in Versailles and Merlin, will play the “striking and flamboyant” Charles Lockhart.

Charles is “a Byronic artist who arrives to paint portraits of Sanditon’s fashionable and wealthy residents.”

The 32-year old Welsh actor has described his part as “a mad hedonistic character who shakes up Sanditon.”

Ben Lloyd-Hughes, who you may recognise as Tsar Alexander in the BBC’s 2016 adaptation of War & Peace, is playing Alexander Colbourne.

Alexander is a mysterious resident with a complex family history.

Lloyd-Hughes has previously appeared in Skins, Industry, and The Hour.

Tom Weston-Jones will play “self-assured war hero” Colonel Francis Lennox.

Francis will be Alexander Colbourne’s rival for Charlotte’s affections in Season 2.

You may recognise the 34-year-old English actor from BBC America’s Copper, as well as episodes of Dickensian, Spooks, and World Without End.

Playing Charlotte’s spirited younger sister, Alison Heywood, is Outlander actress Rosie Graham.

Alison comes to Sanditon to pursue her own romantic dream.

According to Graham, the character will become “fully immersed in all aspects of the town” and she thinks fans will enjoy seeing Alison’s bond with Charlotte.

Alison’s love interest will be Captain William Carter, played by Maxim Ays (Still So Awkward).

William is described as “handsome and charming.”

Ays himself “loved the first season” and says he feels “honoured” to be joining Sanditon.

Lastly we have Frank Blake from the BBC’s hit 2020 drama Normal People.

He’ll be playing Captain Declan Fraser, who we’re told is “a courageous character (if a little rough around the edges).”

Blake has also been in episodes of Game of Thrones, Bridgerton, and The Frankenstein Chronicles.

Season 2 looks set to premiere in early 2022 on BritBox in the UK, later airing on ITV, and it’ll be shown on PBS Masterpiece in the US.

Season 3 is expected to follow in 2023.

Meanwhile, fans can enjoy The World of Sanditon: The Official Companion, a stunning book providing an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show.

Sanditon is available on DVD on Amazon.