Hijack Season 2 Moves from Plane to Train for High-Stakes Hostage Crisis

After thrilling audiences with a tense airborne hijacking, Idris Elba is back as negotiator Sam Nelson for a second season of Apple TV’s thriller “Hijack.” The new chapter is set to premiere on January 14, 2026, trading the confined cabin of a passenger plane for the tight corridors of a Berlin underground train. The series will once again use real-time storytelling to create a gripping race against the clock.

Release Schedule and How to Watch

Hijack Season 2 will debut on Apple TV+ with a two-episode premiere on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Following the premiere, new episodes will be released weekly every Wednesday. The season finale is scheduled for February 25, 2026. This eight-episode season expands on the first season’s seven-episode run.

The series is available exclusively on Apple TV+, which is accessible on the Apple TV app. The app is found on over 1 billion screens, including iPhones, iPads, Apple TV 4K, Macs, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and Sony, as well as Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices. A subscription to Apple TV+ costs $12.99 per month, with a seven-day free trial available for new subscribers.

The New Crisis on Board

The setting for the drama has shifted from the skies to the ground. The official storyline for the new season reveals that an underground train in Berlin is taken hostage with its commuters trapped inside. Authorities on the ground scramble to save hundreds of lives as the situation unfolds.

Once again, Sam Nelson finds himself at the heart of the danger. Using his skills as a corporate negotiator, he must navigate the crisis on board where every decision carries immense weight. The claustrophobic setting of a subway car, packed with passengers, promises a new kind of tension compared to the first season’s airplane setting.

Executive producer Jim Field Smith previously hinted at the character’s potential for new challenges, stating that it would be interesting to see how Sam would react in other high-pressure situations.

Returning and New Cast Members

Idris Elba leads the cast again, both starring as Sam Nelson and serving as an executive producer. He is joined by several returning cast members from the first season, including Christine Adams, Max Beesley, and Archie Panjabi.

The ensemble for the Berlin-based story welcomes a host of new actors. The new cast includes Toby Jones, known for his roles in “Mr Bates vs The Post Office” and the “Harry Potter” films. They are joined by Lisa Vicari from the German series “Dark,” Christiane Paul from “Counterpart,” and Clare-Hope Ashitey. German actors Christian Näthe and Karima McAdams also join the season.

“Global audiences were on tenterhooks watching Idris’s riveting performance in ‘Hijack,’ and we’re thrilled to be working again on an equally compelling season two,” said Jay Hunt, creative director for Apple TV+ in Europe.

Background and Audience Response to Season One

The first season of “Hijack” debuted in June 2023 and quickly became one of the top dramas on Apple TV+. The show was praised as a shot of pure adrenaline and was noted for its tense, gripping narrative that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. The series achieved a Certified Fresh critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and landed on the Nielsen Streaming Originals Top 10 list.

Idris Elba earned an Emmy Award nomination for his performance in the first season. While critics gave the season a high score, audience reviews were more divided, with some viewers questioning plot details while others found it to be an entertaining and binge-worthy thriller.

The series was initially billed as a limited series but was renewed for a second season due to its strong performance and positive reception. Reflecting on the audience’s response, Idris Elba shared his excitement for the new season.

“I was floored by the overwhelming audience response after season one. It’s top secret what new situation unfolds for Sam Nelson but I can assure you we will bring the high octane back!”

The complete first season of “Hijack,” which follows the hijacking of a seven-hour flight from Dubai to London, is currently available to stream globally on Apple TV+.

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