Channel 4 Recommissions Before We Die

The Lesley Sharp-led crime thriller Before We Die has been recommissioned by Channel 4 in the U.K.

Sharp (Scott & Bailey, Three Girls) returns as detective Hannah Laing, who joins forces with maverick detective Billy Murdoch, played by Vincent Regan (Troy, 300), in a desperate bid to protect her son Christian, played by Patrick Gibson (The OA, Guerrilla).

Season two will not follow the same storyline of the original Swedish series but will see Hannah pitched directly against Dubravka, played by Kazia Pelka (World’s End, Casualty), the matriarch at the head of the Mimica Croatian crime family.

Before We Die is produced by Eagle Eye Drama in association with Caviar and is supported by the Belgian tax shelter via Caviar Film Financing. PBS Distribution holds the North American rights, and ZDF Enterprises will distribute the series worldwide, in addition to season one.

Channel 4’s head of drama, Caroline Hollick, said: “I’m delighted to welcome back this gripping crime thriller to the channel. Series one struck a chord with audiences, with over 12 million viewers tuned into the show on All 4—from the edge of their seats. I can’t wait for audiences to enter back into this world—with more surprises, twists and turns in store, and I’m delighted to have Lesley Sharp back at the helm playing the formidable Hannah Laing, along with the rest of our brilliant cast.”

Sharp added: “To take part in a story that has a complex, ambivalent, older female character at the center of its beating heart is a privilege. I am excited and honored to be part of this collaborative, creative team. Viva Hannah! Viva Channel 4! Viva Eagle Eye! Here’s to the next chapter of Before We Die.”

Jo McGrath, executive producer and CCO of Eagle Eye Drama, commented: “Before We Die proved to be an irresistible boxset sensation for U.K. audiences, and the second season will return with more fast-paced action sequences and plenty more dramatic plot twists. So very rarely at the center of crime thrillers, women this time around will be pulling all the strings, leading to a breathtaking climax to the series.”