The first season of BBC's Time was a roaring success, scooping two wins at last year's British Academy Television Awards.
And the second season of the prison drama is already promising to live up to high expectations, just by the emerging details of the cast alone.
We didn't see it coming, but Time #2 is blessing us with a crossover from two of the most talked-about shows of 2023: fellow BBC smash hit Happy Valley and post-apocalyptic US phenomenon The Last Of Us.
Siobhan Finneran, who plays recovering addict Clare Cartwright in Happy Valley, will be reprising her role in Time as prison chaplain Marie-Louise.
The actress said of the opportunity, 'I am delighted to be returning for Time 2. It was a privilege to be involved in the first series and to be asked back is an honour, the scripts are again heartbreakingly brilliant.'
Siobhan will be brushing shoulders with 19-year-old Bella Ramsey, whose leading role as Ellie Williams in The Last Of Us has taken her fame to new heights - and seen her follower count rack up to 3.4m.
The teen will be playing prison inmate Kelsey for her upcoming credential, with Jodie Whittaker stealing the protagonist role as fellow convict, Orla. They will also be joined by a third inmate Abi, who is portrayed by Tamara Lawrance (The Long Song).
The synopsis reads, 'Time is a moving and high-stakes portrayal of life inside a women's prison. Arriving at Carlingford Prison on the same day, Kelsey (Bella Ramsey), Orla (Jodie Whittaker) and Abi (Tamara Lawrance) are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world.
'But even with the ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community, and a shared understanding, still might be possible.'
Bella shared, 'I'm very happy to be a part of this project, working with an incredible team and following on from a stellar first season.
'And it's such an honour to be Kelsey. I'm really excited to experience the world through her for a few months.'
Tamara added, 'Being a part of women-centred stories and productions is very important to me, as well as projects that challenge a prejudice.'
Meanwhile, Jodie - who is no stranger to a leading role, having played the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who - had nothing but high praise for the show and said being involved was an 'absolute dream'.
Actors Stephen Graham and Sean Bean were the stars of season one, with the former playing respected yet compromised prison officer Eric McNally, while the latter stepped into the shoes of guilt-ridden prisoner Mark Cobden.