Jason & Co return for more mythical adventures

Filming on the 13-part second series of BBC One fantasy series Atlantis has begun at Chepstow.

Jack Donnelly (Jason), Mark Addy (Hercules), Robert Emms (Pythagoras), Sarah Parish (Pasiphae), Aiysha Hart (Ariadne) and Juliet Stevenson (The Oracle) all return. New additions joining the cast is Vincent Regan as Dion and Amy Manson as Medea.

Created by Merlin writers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy, and written by Misfits creator Howard Overman, the series features a world of legendary heroes and mythical creatures loosely based on Greek myths and legends.

The first series launch attracted an audience of 8.4 million viewers, making Atlantis the biggest new Saturday night drama series launch across all channels since Robin Hood in 2006.

The end of series one revealed that Paisphae was in fact Jason’s mother. The second series sees Pasiphae involved a dramatic shift of power in the kingdom. Pasiphae’s desire to reign has not abated and rivalry with step daughter Ariadne takes her to new depths. Jason’s personal involvement with Ariadne is surely a complication for Pasiphae, but will the knowledge that Jason is her flesh and blood weaken her resolve?

Robert Pugh (Game Of Thrones, The White Queen) and Peter de Jersey (Broadchurch, Holby City) will guest star in the first episode of series 2.

Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy, Co-creators, said: “It’s wonderful to have everyone back in the studio together as we prepare to take Atlantis to new places in series two. We have some exciting new additions joining our exceptional cast and some surprises up our sleeve that we can’t wait to unleash on the Atlantis audience later this year.”

Bethan Jones, BBC Executive Producer, added: “It was a delight to see so many of the BBC One audience take Atlantis to its heart and we are thrilled to be returning with more adventures this year. The vision is as ambitious as ever and, building on the amazing sets in the Chepstow studios, the series will continue to deliver a visual treat for viewers along with a deeper insight to the characters that drive the drama.”

The series is created by Urban Myth Films for BBC One through BBC Cymru Wales and co-produced by BBC America. Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy executive produce for Urban Myth Films with Bethan Jones as executive producer for BBC.

Atlantis will air on BBC One in the autumn.