“A web of betrayal”: Keeping Faith and Sherwood stars unite for "genius" crime drama The Light in the Hall

Slightly obsessed with twisty crime dramas? We've just come across some news you'll want to know about. The Light in the Hall, Channel 4's genius series, which proved a huge hit with fans when it first aired two years ago, is officially returning for another instalment - and there are some exciting cast updates. Sherwood’s Robert Glenister and Keeping Faith’s Mark Lewis-Jones are teaming up for the "darker" second series, which is set to enter us into a web of betrayal.

Just like hit drama Keeping Faith, The Light in the Hall premiered in Welsh, before getting an English language version. The show, which is set in the fictional town of Llanemlyn, Wales, first arrived in 2022 via Welsh channel S4C as Y Golau, while the English-language version aired in 2023 on Channel 4 with Joanna Scanlan playing the lead. She was so dedicated to her role that she learned Welsh specifically for it!

Now, series 2 will take us back to the same town, but there’s an all-new cast and an all-new mystery to solve, based around the secrets and lies that emerge when a local redevelopment project reignites old tensions. Ahead of its return to our screens next month, here’s everything you need to know about The Light in the Hall series 2, including the cast, plot and release date.

What is The Light in the Hall about?

The first series of The Light in the Hall saw Joanna Scanlan star as grief-stricken mother Sharon, whose daughter Ela went missing, presumed murdered, 18 years ago. Not long after Ela's disappearance, Joe Thomas (Iwan Rheon), a humble gardener, was arrested and charged with her murder after Ela's DNA was found in his caravan.

Joe confessed to the murder but never explained why he did it, or what he did with the body. Now, he's being considered for parole and if he's released, Sharon's worst fear may be realised; she'll never get Ela's body back and the past will torment her the rest of her life.

There's also someone else interested in Ela's murder: journalist Cat Donato (Alexandra Roach) who is originally from the same town. She's kept an eye on the story and the news that Joe is due for parole and is likely to be released prompts her into action - but can Sharon and Cat uncover the truth?

What will happen in The Light in the Hall series 2?

As we mentioned, the second series – intriguingly titled Y Golau: Dŵr (The Light in the Hall: Still Waters) – will return to the fictional village of Llanemlyn, West Wales. There, a controversial redevelopment plan to expand a nearby reservoir reignites old tensions – a story that piques the interest of young journalist Caryl (Siân Reese-Williams). As familial secrets and mysteries resurface, doubts are raised about the imprisonment of Rhys Owen (Mark Lewis-Jones) for the murder of his cousin Llŷr during the 1995 protests against the reservoir’s expansion.

Gwenllian Gravelle, S4C’s Head of Film and Drama, says: “After the runaway success of Y Golau Series 1, the world of Llanemlyn returns with a mystery darker, deeper, and more thrilling than ever with Y Golau: Dŵr. With a powerhouse cast and a story that grips from the first moment, this is one journey our S4C viewers won’t want to miss.”

Who’s in the cast of The Light in the Hall series 2?

There’s an all-new cast for series 2 of The Light in the Hall, including:

• Siân Reese-Williams as Caryl Huws
• Mark Lewis-Jones as Rhys Owen
• Nia Roberts as Eve Davies
• Robert Glenister as Robert Davies
• Tom Rhys Harries as Hari Breckon
• Maeve Courtier-Lilley as Mabli Davies Owen
• Wyn Bowen Harries as Bryn Owen
• Mali Tudno Jones as Megan Breckon
• Matthew Gravelle as Gareth Breckon
• Gillian Elisa as Eunice

Is The Light in the Hall any good?

When it aired in 2o23, viewers raved about The Light in the Hall series 1. The Guardian called it a “wintry thriller to curl up with”, describing it as a crime drama with a more gentle approach, while London Evening Standard called it a “slow-burn study of grief and obsession”.

How can I watch The Light in the Hall series 2?

There’s not long to wait! The Light in the Hall series 2 will air on S4C on 14th September, with a Channel 4 release date to follow. As soon as we have more news, we'll update you here. In the meantime, you can catch up on series 1 here.

What other crime dramas can I watch now?

We’d highly recommend the new Netflix series Untamed, which tells the story of special agent Kyle Turner (played brilliantly by Eric Bana), as he investigates a brutal murder in the wilderness. The series is available to watch in full on the streamer. ITV’s Under The Bridge starring Riley Keough, is also worth a watch: the eight-part Adolescence-like series tells the startling true story of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old girl whose innocent trip to a party in British Columbia, Canada, turned into something nightmares are made of.