Here’s who is returning and who is newly joining the cast of Sanditon season 2. Originally airing on ITV in 2019 and PBS Masterpiece in 2020 (and subsequently canceled), Sanditon was resurrected and seasons 2 and 3 were greenlit thanks to its loyal fans. Sanditon season 1 was based on 11 chapters written by Jane Austen before her death but the series has now taken on a narrative all its own.
Set in a posh seaside resort town on the south coast of England, Sanditon centers on Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams), who stays as a guest of the resort’s founder and visionary, Tom Parker (Kris Marshall). Miss Heywood meets Sanditon’s eclectic residents, most importantly, Tom’s handsome brother, Sidney (Theo James). Charlotte also befriends Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke), a Black heiress who was Sidney’s ward. Like other Jane Austen literary couples, Charlotte and Sidney have a tumultuous relationship until they realize they have fallen in love, only for Sidney to marry someone else to secure the money to save Tom and Sanditon from financial ruin. Sanditon season 1 ended with Charlotte and Sidney tragically parting ways as she returned home and he went off to his new wife.
While most of the principal cast of Sanditon returns for season 2, Theo James opted not to reprise his role as Sidney. This inevitably changes Charlotte’s trajectory in Sanditon, and the series is also bringing in several new characters to fill the void Sidney leaves behind. Here are the main players in Sanditon season 2.
Sanditon Season 2 Returning Characters
Rose Williams as Charlotte Heywood – Charlotte returns to the seaside resort town in Sanditon season 2 to find a new life after Sidney’s departure. Prior to Sanditon, Williams was best known for playing Claude de Valois in Reign on The CW.
Crystal Clarke as Georgiana Lambe – Georgiana remains an heiress who must fight off fortune-hunting suitors as she reunites with her best friend, Charlotte. Clarke is an American actress who appeared in Black Mirror and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Anne Reid as Lady Denham – Lady Denham is Sanditon’s wealthy benefactor and remains feared by its residents. Reid starred in Upstairs Downstairs, Hot Fuzz, and The Aeronauts.
Jack Fox as Sir Edward Denham – Disowned by Lady Denham, Edward joined the British Army but schemes to reunite with Esther. Fox also starred in Cheaters and Riviera.
Charlotte Spencer as Esther Denham – Now Lady Babington, Charlotte is back in Sanditon and faces her stepbrother Edward once more. Spencer also appeared in Amazon Prime Video’s Cinderella and Ted Lasso.
Kris Marshall as Tom Parker – Sandition’s visionary architect, the irrepressible Tom Parker still struggles with the financial burden of his seaside resort dream and struggles without Sidney’s help. Marshall starred in Love, Actually and The Merchant of Venice.
Kate Ashfield as Mary Parker – Mary is Tom’s loyal wife who is also a friend to Charlotte. Ashfield also starred in Line of Duty and Shaun of the Dead.
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Turlough Convery as Arthur Parker – With Sidney gone, Arthur has stepped up to become Tom’s trusted right hand as well as Georgiana’s only friend besides Charlotte Heywood. Convery also starred in Killing Eve season 3, Ready Player One, and Belfast.
Sanditon Season 2 New Characters
Rosie Graham as Alison Heywood – Alison is Charlotte’s impressionable younger sister who joins her in Sanditon. Graham also stars in Outlander and The School for Good and Evil.
Tom Weston-Jones as Colonel Francis Lennox – Colonel Lennox leads the British garrison at Sanditon and is romantically interested in Charlotte. Weston-Jones also starred in Warrior and Shadow and Bone.
Frank Blake as Captain Declan Fraser – Fraser is one of Lennox’s subordinates who fancies Alison. Blake stars in Cherry and Vikings: Valhalla.
Maxim Ays as Captain William Carter – Carter is another soldier who serves under Lennox. Ays also stars in Still So Awkward.
Eloise Webb as Augusta Markham – Augusta is a strongwilled teenager who defies her new governess. Webb appears in Cinderella starring Lily James and The Iron Lady.
Ben Lloyd-Hughes as Alexander Colbourne – Alexander Colbourne is a wealthy recluse who decides to employ Charlotte as a governess. Lloyd-Hughes also starred in the Divergent movies.
Alexander Vlahos as Charles Lockhart – Lockhart is an eccentric artist who makes his new home in Sanditon and takes an interest in Georgiana. Vlahos also stars in Merlin and Outlander.
Sanditon Season 2 airs Sundays @ 9pm on Masterpiece PBS.
