Hijack Season 2 Takes Idris Elba’s Thriller Underground in Gripping New Series

The Return of a Global Hit Thriller

Hijack Season 2 premiered globally on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 on Apple TV+, bringing back the popular action thriller that captivated audiences worldwide. Hijack was the unexpected streaming hit of 2023, and its return in 2026 makes it one of the shows we’re most excited for all year. The series stars multi-award-winner Idris Elba, who returns as corporate negotiator Sam Nelson whilst also serving as executive producer.

This highly anticipated second season is particularly significant for Apple TV+. The series garnered a lot of viewership during season one in 2023 and became the second Apple TV original to make an appearance on the Nielsen US streaming chart, cementing its status as one of the platform’s most successful original productions.

A New Crisis on Different Tracks

Season 2 takes a dramatic shift in setting. Whereas the first season saw negotiator Sam Nelson trapped on a plane, season two uses a different mode of transport for its setting, namely a train on the Berlin underground. A Berlin underground train and its commuters are taken hostage, while authorities scramble to save hundreds of lives, with Sam Nelson at the heart of the crisis on board, where one wrong decision could spell disaster.

However, the premiere episode delivers an unexpected twist that changes everything viewers thought they knew. Sam Nelson has gone from hijacked to hijacker in the second season, presenting a dramatic role reversal that has left audiences stunned and questioning his motivations.

What to Expect This Season

The eight-episode second season will debut with the first episode on 14 January, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through 4 March 2026. The cast includes returning favourites Christine Adams, Max Beesley, and Archie Panjabi, alongside new additions including Toby Jones, Clare-Hope Ashitey, and Christian Näthe.

Critical reception has been mixed but generally favourable. On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating ‘generally favorable’ reviews. Many reviewers have praised Idris Elba’s commanding performance and the more layered, complex storytelling compared to the first season. The creators have teased they have some ideas about a third and final season as a follow-up, possibly as a movie, though this depends on Season 2’s performance.

For viewers looking to experience the full story arc, the season finale will air on 4 March, offering the perfect opportunity for a complete binge-watch of this gripping thriller that continues to push boundaries and keep audiences on the edge of their seats.