ITV's crime drama After the Flood has returned for its second season, with detective Jo Marshall investigating a new murder amid moorland fires in the fictional Yorkshire village of Waterside. The series picks up a year after the devastating flood of season one, focusing on personal and professional challenges for the lead characters. Starring Sophie Rundle and featuring new cast members, the show aired its premiere on January 18, 2026, at 9pm on ITV1.
The second season of After the Flood premiered on ITV on Sunday, January 18, 2026, exactly two years after the show's debut. Set in the fictional village of Waterside, the series follows PC Jo Marshall, now promoted to detective and played by Sophie Rundle, as she probes a mysterious death following a wildfire on the moors. The town faces threats of further fires and flooding, complicating Jo's investigation, which uncovers corruption within the local police force and her own family.
Jo, separated from her partner and colleague Pat Holman (Matt Stokoe), struggles to balance her career, co-parenting, and living with her mother Molly (Lorraine Ashbourne). They continue to navigate tensions with the corrupt sergeant Phil Mackie (Nicholas Gleaves). A new detective, Sam Bradley (Jill Halfpenny), joins the team, while local businessman Jack Radcliffe (Philip Glenister) develops a potential romance with Molly. Other returning cast includes Deepa Das (Tripti Tripuraneni) and Tony Rower (Ian Puleston-Davies), with new addition Alan Benson (Alun Armstrong), a wealthy lord offering to rebuild after the flood.
Viewers tuned in for the 9pm episode on ITV1 and ITVX, with the series airing weekly on Sundays and Mondays. Fan reactions on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the shift from floods to fires, questioning the title's relevance. One viewer noted, "There seems to be a flood of non-flood-related things going on #AfterTheFlood." Another joked, "So Flood then Fire .. series 3, locusts on the moors? #AfterTheFlood."
Sophie Rundle described the season to the Mirror: "It's a really good, well-deserved continuation... it gives you that gripping murder mystery element. But you also think at this point, you really care about these characters and you're rooting for them."
The cast features familiar faces from British TV, including Rundle from Peaky Blinders and Stokoe from Misfits, adding depth to the ensemble-driven drama.
