Series two of Silk is confirmed to return on Tuesday 15 May on BBC One at 9.00pm.

Martha Costello is now Martha Costello QC. The cases are bigger and the stakes are higher, but she learns fast that it can be lonely at the top. Clive Reader, burnt by his unsuccessful silk application, tries to be stoic in his defeat.

At Shoe Lane Chambers times are tough, and senior clerk Billy struggles to keep things afloat. Loyalties become divided and friendships are tested in the name of justice.

Martha is defending Brendan Kay, a member of one of London’s biggest crime outfits the Farr Family. He’s accused of blinding a car wash attendant who disrespected their number two, Jody Farr. He’s got the victim’s blood on his shoes and confessed in the back of a police car – it looks like a hopeless case. Martha’s job is made harder because Brendan’s solicitor, Micky Joy, is an old-school player of the system who walks both sides of the line.

She doesn’t like him or the way he operates, but Billy warns her that they need his work to keep Shoe Lane afloat. Martha is up against a notorious QC, Caroline Warwick, nicknamed Lady MacBeth for her uncompromising and vicious approach in court. As Martha feels herself pulled by the various political forces around her, she realises to win she will need an all or nothing defence.

Meanwhile Clive takes on a sensitive case with a new solicitor, the fiery and passionate George Duggan, and is pleasantly surprised when he finds that he’s more than met his match.

Starring Maxine Peake as Martha, Rupert Penry-Jones as Clive, Neil Stuke as Billy, Phil Davis as Micky Joy, Frances Barber as Caroline Warwick ‘CW’, Alex Jennings as Alan Cowdrey and Indira Varma as George Duggan.

Are you looking forward to the return of Silk? Let us know in the comments below.

Just click on the images to enlarge.