5 COMMISSION SECOND SERIES OF HIT THRILLER THE GAME LED BY CLAPPERBOARD 

Stars Jason Watkins and Robson Green confirmed to return   

London, Tuesday 24th February 2026: 5 has today announced the return of hit cat and mouse thriller The Game for a second series overseen by Clapperboard, in association with Sphere Abacus who will distribute the series internationally.   

Set a year after series one, we see former detective Huw (Jason Watkins), who, after surviving a brutal stabbing, believes he has finally escaped the psychological grip of serial killer Patrick (Robson Green), now safely behind bars. Retreating with his wife Alice (Sunetra Sarker) to an isolated house by the sea, Huw is determined to rebuild a quiet life, far from the violence that nearly destroyed them. But peace, he soon realises, is an illusion.   

BAFTA-winning Jason Watkins (Coma, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, W1A) and acclaimed actor Robson Green (Grantchester, Age Before Beauty, Strike Back) reprise their roles. Sunetra Sarker (Ackley Bridge, G’wed, Casualty), Indy Lewis (Industry, King and Conqueror, House of David), and Amber James (Heartstopper, Vera, Grace) will also return. Additional cast for series two includes Sonny Ashbourne Serkis (Masters of the Air, The Witcher, The War Below), Tanya Franks (Broadchurch, Pulling, Mum), Dominic Rowan (The Crown, Catastrophe, Law & Order), Amanda Bright (Buccaneers, In From The Cold, Breeders), Richard Pepple (The Hack, Cobra, The Rig), Carl Rice (Brassic, Trollied, Deep Water), and Connor Calland (Adolescence, Stay Close, Last Night in Soho).   

The Game S2 was ordered by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, 5, who will Executive Produce with Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK for 5. Rachel Gesua will Executive Produce alongside MD Mike Benson for Clapperboard, with Jonathan Ford and Will Stapley for Sphere Abacus. Alison B Matthews is also on board as producer.   

Toby Frow (Silent Witness, Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders) and Tom Grieves (Being Human, No Offence, Lucky Man) are both set to return as director and writer respectively.   

On the return of the series, Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, 5 commented: “The Game was one of 5’s top preforming dramas of 2025 and we are delighted to be working with Clapperboard and Sphere Abacus again to bring a second series of this dark thriller to our screens with our brilliant leads Jason Watkins and Robson Green returning.”   

Jason Watkins added: “I cannot wait to get started on The Game S2. Huw has been through the mill and there’s no let-up this series. I’m excited to get my teeth into what’s ahead for him.”   

Robson Green said: “Stepping back into the world of The Game for series two is an exciting challenge. Just when you thought it was over, Patrick is back pulling strings with a vengeance. 5 audiences are in for another brilliant ride.”   

Rachel Gesua, Senior Executive Producer for Clapperboard also added: “I’m thrilled to be getting the team behind The Game back together, the performances of Robson Green and Jason Watkins elevated the show to something unmissable, and I can’t wait to take this to the next level."   

The Game S2 has started filming and is due to air on 5 later this year. 

ENDS 

For more information please contact: Kate Killgour kate.killgour@paramount.com       

PRAISE FOR THE GAME SERIES ONE   

“Tom Grieves has given us a psychological thriller that isn’t so much a whodunnit as a will-they-ever-catch-him, while Green and Watkins as the cat and mouse playing this deadly game have been terrific” – RADIO TIMES 

“With a stellar cast and pacy plot, this is a deliciously dark psychological drama” – THE DAILY MIRROR

“Down to earth and genial, Watkins brings a compelling everyman quality to this new role that makes you root for Miller and offers a sense of familiarity” – THE DAILY TELEGRAPH 

“Watkins excels at playing the beleaguered everyman” – THE DAILY MAIL 

“An enjoyably sinister turn from Robson Green” – THE DAILY TELEGRAPH 

“Jason Watkins is one of Britain’s most prolific character actors – in the past decade, he has appeared in everything from Des to Inside No 9 to The Crown. But of all his talents, portraying an ordinary bloke unravelling has to be top of the list” – THE i PAPER       

NOTES TO EDITORS 

About 5: 

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of Paramount, a Skydance corporation.  Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from Channel 5 – including Milkshake!, its dedicated preschool brand – and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount+ and more.  In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.  Recent wins include BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024, along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries.   

About Clapperboard Studios: 

Since launch, Clapperboard has delivered over 30 series and 147 hours of prime time television, including critically acclaimed ratings winners Love Rat, The Holiday, Cooper & Fry, The Cuckoo and The Game for 5 and Girl Taken, The Castaways, The Ex-Wife and The Serial Killer's Wife for Paramount+. It was shortlisted for Best Production Company in the Edinburgh TV Awards 2022 and 2025 and Best Independent Production Company at the Broadcast Awards 2024. Dramas Clapperboard is currently working on include Death in Paradise (w/t), Number One Fan and Hunting Alice Bell. Returning dramas include The Teacher anthology series, The Good Ship Murder and The Madame Blanc Mysteries created and co-written by Sally Lindsay and co-produced by Clapperboard. Clapperboard along with its partner companies, Chalkboard and Storyboard Studios, are part of iZen and the wider Studio TF1 Group.    

About Sphere Abacus: 

Sphere Abacus is the distribution arm of Sphere Media operating alongside the company’s highly successful production business. In addition to working with Sphere Media production companies, Sphere Abacus acquires and distributes a diverse slate of premium, multi-genre programming in the international market.  At the same time, the company also works with independent producers to facilitate pre-sales and development finance as well as broadcaster commissions. Embracing a fully transparent reporting ethos throughout, SA focuses on building strong client relationships and generating positive solutions at every stage of the process, from initial financing to worldwide broadcast to successfully deliver scripted and non-scripted entertainment that counts to a global audience. Further details: www.sphere-abacus.com