The Famous Five season 2 will see Julian, Dick, George, Anne and Timmy the Dog go on two new 90-minute adventures.
The first series was a huge hit, so it's no surprise that it's returning and among the stars coming back is James Lance as grumpy Uncle Quentin.
"I am delighted to be back playing Uncle Quentin in The Famous Five. This series is a gem. It is a privilege to be working with our wonderful cast with the sweetest co-star, dear Kip who plays Timmy the dog as we follow him on these magical adventures."
In a nice touch, the new series will feature Jemima Rooper (Geek Girl), who played George in a 1990s version on ITV.
Jemima tells us about returning: "It's amazing — and bizarre! I look at these delightful young people and I keep saying, 'we were not like that, we were awful!'. It's interesting to see young people today and then think back on what we were like, but doing the series was one of the happiest times of my life, and I have so much affection for that period of time — everything I learnt, and all the people I worked with. I had been a fan of the books growing up, and I had a genuine connection to the character of George."
Here's everything we know…
The Famous Five season 2 release date
The Famous Five season 2 sees the first adventure air on CBBC on Monday, December 23 at 5.25 pm. It will also be made available on BBC iPlayer on that date. BBC One is screening the episode on New Year's Eve at 10.20 am, so it's part of the BBC's 2024 Christmas TV schedule. Check out our Christmas TV guide 2024 for more shows. We don't know yet when the second film will air.
We don't have a US release date.
The Famous Five season 2 cast
Diaana Babnicova returns as George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick and Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne. Making up the fifth member of The Famous Five and the gang's faithful furry friend, is Kip, the Bearded Collie Cross playing Timmy the dog.
Ann Akinjirin returns as Fanny alongside James Lance as Quentin. Also back is Jack Gleeson as Wentworth. New cast includes Spanish actress Maria Pedraza (Money Heist, Elite), Amir Wilson (His Dark Materials), James Wilby (Poldark), Rita Tushingham (A Taste of Honey), Jonathan Aris (Sherlock) and Jamie Andrew Cutler (The Hurricane Heist).
Meanwhile, Rooper plays the role of Angela Clutterbuck, a guest staying at a mysterious hotel.
What's the plot?
The titles of the two new adventures are "Mystery at the Prospect Hotel" and "Big Trouble on Billycock Hill". Famous Five readers will know that Billycock Hill is featured in the title of the sixteenth of Enid Blyton's stories, "Five Go to Billycock Hill", so it's possible the plot will have similarities to that story which involved caves and spies.
Teasing Mystery at the Prospect Hotel, which is the first episode being shown, the BBC says: "It's summer 1940 and the Five are reunited at a grand hotel on Cragstone Ridge. An old foe, Thomas Wentworth, awaits them as he needs their help.
"Wentworth has seen into the future and foretells the murder of famous jazz singer Cab Vee, who is visiting the hotel. With a host of likely suspects, each with their own motive, can the Five figure out who is trying to kill him?"
Is there a trailer?
Yes, here you go...
Famous Five behind the scenes and more
The Famous Five is a Moonage Pictures and byNWR production for the BBC in the UK, in co-production with The Mediapro Studio.
"Mystery at the Prospect Hotel" is directed by Asim Abbasi. Executive Producers are Nicolas Winding Refn, Matthew Read, Will Gould, Frith Tiplady, Asim Abbasi and Laura Fdez.
