The story of last years of the British Raj continues

Channel 4 has recommissioned lavish drama Indian Summers for a second 10-part series.

The new series will return to Simla in the summer of 1935, three years after the events of the current series. “Our story moves forward three years, to a Viceroy’s last summer, a political gamble to stifle Independence and a great reckoning for Ralph, Alice and Aafrin” says Paul Rutman, creator of the series. “It’s a joy to reunite our wonderful cast and I’m beyond thrilled that viewers have responded so warmly to what they’ve seen so far. I am so grateful to Channel 4 for trusting us to continue our journey through the last years of the British Raj. I feel like the luckiest writer in the world.”

The ensemble cast includes Julie Walters, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Jemima West, Nikesh Patel, Roshan Seth, Lillete Dubey, Craig Parkinson, Fiona Glascott, Amber Rose Revah, Alexander Cobb, Aysha Kala, Olivia Grant and Edward Hogg.

Head of Drama for Channel 4, Piers Wenger, says: “Paul Rutman’s unique perspective on the British Raj has lit up Channel 4 on a Sunday night and we’re delighted to be working with New Pictures again to bring viewers the next chapter of this gripping saga.”

Executive Producer for Masterpiece (which airs the series on PBS in the autumn) Rebecca Eaton, says: “Indian Summers is truly a television event, the result of the terrific work of our UK partners. We can’t wait to introduce this magnificent series to our U.S. audiences.”

A co-production with Masterpiece on PBS, Channel 4 and New Pictures, the opening episode of Series 1 was Channel 4’s biggest drama launch in over 20 years.

Indian Summers Series 2 will air on Channel 4 in 2016.