Channel 4 announces a second series of the hit drama The Couple Next Door

The new series will star Annabel Scholey, Sam Palladio, Aggy K Adams and Sendhil Ramamurthy in the lead roles with Hugh Dennis returning

Following the success of series one, filming is now underway on a second series of The Couple Next Door. A brand-new story with new lead cast, series two will see Sam Palladio (Nashville, The Princess Switch), Annabel Scholey (The Split, The Sixth Commandment), Aggy K Adams (The Witcher, Greek Salad) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (One Piece, Never Have I Ever) take on the central roles in this fresh chapter of the deliciously dark psychological drama, alongside the return of Hugh Dennis (Outnumbered, Not Going Out).

The first series of The Couple Next Door was Channel 4's biggest scripted streaming launch ever with episode one achieving more than one million streams in the first seven days.

Written by David Allison (Bedlam, Marcella) and directed by Dries Vos (Suspect, Professor T), this second series will see viewers venture back into the claustrophobic world of the cul-de-sac and explore the fallout of taking your fantasies and making them reality.

Brilliant heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts (Annabel Scholey) and her husband, consultant anaesthetist Jacob (Sam Palladio) are a high-flying busy married couple. But things soon turn upside down when their mysterious new hospital colleague Mia (Aggy K Adams) rents out the house next door. Working her way into Charlotte and Jacob's confidence and eventually their bed, Mia also quickly befriends cul-de-sac outcast Alan (Hugh Dennis) whilst Charlotte has to handle the reappearance of past flame Leo (Sendhil Ramamurthy).

However, it's not long before Mia's past comes back to haunt her, leading Charlotte and Jacob to question who she really is, especially when patients at the hospital mysteriously start dying. But one thing is clear, giving into desires can have deadly consequences...

Annabel Scholey says: "I am delighted to be joining the brilliant team behind Channel 4's The Couple Next Door. I was a big fan of series one and I am excited to be delving into David Allison's gripping new script with a hugely talented cast and crew, whilst going back to my West Yorkshire roots, as heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts."

Sam Palladio says: "I'm thrilled to join the amazing team at The Couple Next Door. I was drawn to the project through its brilliant writing and challenging characters, and to step into the world of the show which is already loved by fans and bring Jacob to life is really exciting. Having lived in the US since shooting "Nashville", it'll be great to be back on British screens and to explore a troubled and complex character, which is unlike anything I've done before."

Sarah Stack, Drama Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 says: "We are looking forward to audiences returning to the street with a gripping new story, brilliant new characters with Sam, Annabel, Aggy and Sendhil in our new lead roles and the return of the familiar face of Hugh Dennis as Alan. Viewers are certainly in for an explosive treat and if you loved series one, you won't want to miss series two!"

Jo McGrath, executive producer for Eagle Eye Drama adds: "More sexy shenanigans in suburbia this time with a provocative psychological twist, the addictive global hit thriller The Couple Next Door is back, with a new set of neighbours each hiding dark secrets of their own."

This series is loosely adapted from Scandi drama Fatal Injections made by Kamikaze Film CPH distributed by Reinvent International Sales, and the Dutch format The Neighbours made by Millstreet Films on which series one was based. Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino serve as executive producers for Eagle Eye Drama and the producer is Jennifer Burnet. The Couple Next Door is being produced in association with Happy Duck Films and is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter. Eagle Eye Drama and Happy Duck Films are part of ITV Studios. Beta Film will internationally distribute the series.

Filming will take place in Belgium and transmission details will be announced in due course.