Sanditon Season 2 Starts Production, Reveals Two (!) New Love Interests For Charlotte Following Theo James' Exit

PBS on Thursday announced new and returning cast members who will follow leading lady Rose Williams back to Sanditon, as the recently resurrected Masterpiece drama starts production on Season 2.

The public broadcaster has confirmed that Williams (Charlotte Heywood) will be joined by fellow returnees Anne Reid (Lady Denham), Kris Marshall (Tom Parker), Kate Ashfield (Mary Parker), Crystal Clarke (Miss Georgiana Lambe), Jack Fox (Sir Edward Denham), Charlotte Spencer (Esther Denham), Lily Sacofsky (Clara Brereton), Turlough Convery (Arthur Parker), Kevin Eldon (Mr. Hankins) and Adrian Scarborough (Dr. Fuchs).

They'll be joined by new series regulars Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Industry) and Tom Weston-Jones (Grace), who will play Charlotte's new love interests (plural!), in the wake of Theo James' departure. Fellow newbies Rosie Graham (Outlander), Frank Blake (Normal People), Maxim Ays (Still So Awkward) and Alexander Vlahos (Versailles) round out the ensemble.

Season 2 pick up nine months after the events of the 2019 finale, as "Charlotte returns to the beautiful seaside resort and soon attracts the attention of not one, but two new men," per the official synopsis. "And, in her last summer season before turning 21, Georgiana Lambe, keen to forge her own identity, gets up to mischief in the name of love — but will she run the risk of being lonelier than ever before?"

The logline goes on to reveal that "the Parkers are back, as Tom strives to rebuild Sanditon. But there are many unforeseen issues awaiting him, while the secrets and lies of the dysfunctional Denhams continue to rock the foundations of the sunny seaside town."

As previously reported, Sanditon has been renewed through Season 3. Scroll down to "meet" the new characters, then hit the comments with your hopes for the period piece's highly anticipated return.

Lloyd-Hughes is Alexander Colbourne, "a mysterious resident with a complex family history."

Weston-Jones is Colonel Francis Lennox, a "self-assured war hero" and Alexander's rival for Charlotte's affections.

Graham is Alison Heywood, Charlotte's "spirited younger sister who comes to Sanditon to pursue her own romantic dream."

Ays is Captain William Carter, a "handsome and charming" love interest for Alison.

Blake is Captain Declan Fraser, a "courageous character" who is "a little rough around the edges."

Vlahos is Charles Lockhart, a Byronic artist described as both "striking" and "flamboyant." He arrives to paint portraits of Sanditon's fashionable and wealthy residents.