Idris Elba is back, trading the skies for the underground in the highly anticipated second season of the tense hostage drama, Hijack. The series, which became a surprise hit for Apple TV+, premiered its new chapter on Wednesday 14 January 2026, promising another round of claustrophobic, real-time suspense.
From Plane to Train: A New Commute from Hell
Forget the return-to-work blues. Season two of Hijack weaponises the daily commute, transplanting the action from a seven-hour flight from Dubai to the confined carriages of a Berlin U-Bahn train. Idris Elba reprises his role as Sam Nelson, the world's most unfortunate corporate negotiator, who must once again use his wits and gravelly voice to talk down a terrorist threat.
After the first season's success, which played out in real-time akin to the series 24, the show's creators have shifted the setting but kept the core formula. Viewers can expect more high-stakes tension, entertainingly ridiculous ploys, and Elba's signature move of holding his hands up while uttering calming phrases like, "You don't want to do this, mate."
How and When to Watch Hijack Season 2
Hijack is an Apple Original series, available exclusively on Apple TV+. To watch, you will need a subscription, which costs £9.99 per month and provides access to Apple's full library of original content, including shows like Severance.
New subscribers can take advantage of a seven-day free trial. Furthermore, customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac are often eligible for three months of Apple TV+ for free.
Unlike services that release entire seasons at once, Apple is building suspense with a weekly episode schedule. The full release calendar is as follows:
- Episode 1: 14 January
- Episode 2: 21 January
- Episode 3: 28 January
- Episode 4: 4 February
- Episode 5: 11 February
- Episode 6: 18 February
- Episode 7: 25 February
- Episode 8: 4 March
Cast, Plot, and What to Expect
Idris Elba leads the returning cast, which includes Christine Adams, Max Beesley, and Archie Panjabi. The new season also introduces several notable actors, headlined by BAFTA-winner Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs The Post Office). Other new faces include Lisa Vicari (Dark), Christiane Paul, Clare-Hope Ashitey, and Karima McAdams.
The official plot synopsis confirms that a Berlin underground train and its passengers are taken hostage, with Sam Nelson once again finding himself at the epicentre of the crisis. Elba had previously expressed a desire to evolve the character beyond a simple repeat, stating he wanted the story to be clever and showcase Sam making impossible decisions.
For fans of taut, trashy thrillers and Idris Elba's commanding presence, Hijack season 2 delivers another seven-hour ride of relentless tension, proving that danger can strike anywhere, even on the most routine journey.
