Keeley Hawes Boards Season 2 of ITV Hit Thriller Gone Alongside Eve Myles in Creative Coup for Creator George Kay

British television powerhouse Keeley Hawes has officially joined the highly anticipated second season of the hit ITV psychological thriller Gone, adding yet another high-profile project to her burgeoning slate of prestige television dramas. The three-time BAFTA nominee, renowned for her critically acclaimed performances in Line of Duty, Bodyguard, and It’s a Sin, will step into a complex and morally ambiguous role that promises to drive the dramatic engine of the sophomore run.

Hawes’s casting marks a major coup for the production, coming hot on the heels of announcements regarding her involvement in Sky’s second season of Prisoner, alongside the imminent launch of her Prime Video series The Assassin. Her integration into the Gone universe sets up a compelling on-screen duel with series lead Eve Myles, who returns as the sharp and tenacious Detective Sergeant Annie Cassidy.

Unraveling the Dark Truth at Makeway Hospital

In the upcoming second season of Gone, Hawes will portray Ruth Manning, a pre-eminent, fiercely dedicated, and highly respected paediatric surgeon working at Bristol’s fictional Makeway Hospital. Dr. Manning is a pillar of the medical community, revered for her tireless work and life-saving interventions. However, the narrative shifts dramatically when her path crosses with DS Annie Cassidy.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that Dr. Manning may be concealing the dark, long-buried truth about a series of historical crimes. The central thematic conflict of the new season explores the chilling ethical gray area of whether monstrous actions can be justified or buried for the "greater good" of vulnerable patients, testing the boundaries of medical ethics, institutional protection, and the pursuit of justice.

Filming for the new season will once again take advantage of the atmospheric backdrop of Bristol, which serves as both the physical setting and a moody, atmospheric character within the narrative fabric of the show.

The Phenomenal Success and Foundation of Gone Season 1

The greenlighting and high-caliber casting of Season 2 follows the runaway success of Gone’s inaugural run. The first season of the drama series made waves across the United Kingdom, completely eclipsing all prior streaming records on ITV’s digital platform, ITVX, according to official data released by the network.

The first season centered on a gripping local mystery starring David Morrissey as Michael Polly, a Bristol headmaster who found himself thrust into the nightmare scenario of becoming the prime suspect in the mysterious disappearance of his wife, Sarah. The taut, character-driven mystery resonated deeply with audiences, combining intricate plotting with raw, emotional performances that propelled the series to the top of the ratings and streaming charts.

The bedrock of authenticity that grounded the first season will continue to inform the second. Gone is partly inspired by the compelling book To Hunt a Killer and draws extensively from the real-life investigative experiences and expertise of former Detective Superintendent Julie Mackay and ITV Crime Correspondent Robert Murphy. Both Mackay and Murphy remain attached to the production as key consultants, ensuring that police procedures, psychological profiles, and institutional dynamics maintain a rigorous level of realism despite the heightened dramatic stakes.

A Creative Force: George Kay and the Production Engine

At the helm of the creative vision is acclaimed screenwriter and creator George Kay, whose pedigree includes blockbuster international hits such as Netflix’s Lupin, Apple TV+’s Hijack, and the historical war drama War. Kay’s ability to construct labyrinthine plots laced with high-octane tension and deep character studies has made him one of the most sought-after showrunners in contemporary television.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming season and the addition of Hawes to the ensemble, Kay shared insights into the creative direction of the show.

"I’m thrilled to be back in the world of DS Annie Cassidy, played by Eve Myles, who brings such wit and depth to all her roles," Kay stated. "This time she’ll be trying to find the truth about the character of Ruth Manning, a high-end paediatric surgeon played by the brilliant Keeley Hawes, who I’ve hoped to work with for so long and now finally get the chance."

Production duties for Gone are spearheaded by Kay’s Observatory Pictures, working in collaboration with New Pictures. International distribution and global sales are handled by Banijay Rights, which aims to capitalize on the international marketability of a brand that blends quintessentially British procedural elements with high-concept psychological thrills.

Behind the scenes, the creative team is reinforced by an array of seasoned industry talent. The series is executive produced by Willow Grylls, whose credits include War, alongside BAFTA Award nominee Matt Sandford, celebrated for his work on The Long Shadow. Overseeing the project from the broadcaster’s perspective is ITV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the network’s prestige crime and thriller portfolio.

A Rapidly Expanding Slate for Keeley Hawes

The announcement of Hawes joining Gone highlights an exceptionally busy and high-profile period for the acclaimed actress. The news broke merely a day after industry trades confirmed her casting in the second season of Sky’s high-stakes UK drama Prisoner. Simultaneously, promotional campaigns and anticipation have reached a fever pitch for her leading role in Amazon Prime Video’s The Assassin, which officially premieres globally just two days after this casting announcement.

This concentration of top-tier projects underscores Hawes’s enduring status as one of British television’s most bankable and versatile dramatic talents. Her ability to seamlessly transition across platforms—from BBC flagships and ITV psychological thrillers to international streaming giants like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+—demonstrates a rare career longevity and sustained creative relevance.

Industry Implications and Strategic Positioning for ITV

The strategic renewal and expansion of Gone signal ITV’s continued commitment to dominant, event-level television that performs strongly across both linear broadcasting and digital streaming catch-up services. By leveraging the immense pulling power of proven acting royalty like Keeley Hawes and Eve Myles, alongside the established creative brand of George Kay, ITV aims to cement ITVX’s position as a premier destination for original British drama.

As the television landscape becomes increasingly competitive, with global streamers fighting for audience retention, British networks are finding success through high-stakes, star-studded thrillers that combine localized British grit with universally understood moral dilemmas. The pairing of Hawes and Myles in Gone Season 2 represents precisely this strategy: a collision of top-tier British acting talent navigating dark, complex narratives designed to hook viewers from the opening episode and sustain engagement through serialized, cliffhanger-heavy storytelling.

Production schedules for the second season of Gone are currently underway, with further casting and premiere date announcements expected from ITV in the coming months as the psychological battle between DS Annie Cassidy and Dr. Ruth Manning begins to take shape on screen.