Ellis star teases "uncertain" new character dynamic – and what it means for the show’s leads

Throughout the first season of Ellis, Sharon D Clarke's titular character kept clasping her phone close and we eventually saw that in the final episode, she was overjoyed that her daughter Grace texted her to arrange a call.

Well, in this new second season, it appears as though their mother-daughter relationship is only going from strength to strength. While it's lovely to see, it's also new ground for Ellis and Harper (Andrew Gower) to navigate.

Speaking to Radio Times about the lead's changing dynamic for season 2, Gower revealed: "I think they’ve developed their language. There’s a lot said without speaking, there’s a lot of looks between them, that shorthand has become stronger. But also, I think, it's interesting that with Grace and Ellis, not that Harper sees that as a threat but ultimately, he’s gone all in.

"If it was a game of poker, he’s laid out all his cards like, 'Ellis, I’m in. I’ve given up the station I know, the life I know and I’ve got my life in a suitcase and I want to be into this'."

He went on: "A threat to that happening and the relationship ending is kind of the uncertainty about Grace – where’s that going to leave Ellis? And I think that’s a real clever subtle threat that [series creator] Siân [Ejiwunmi-Le Berre] and the team have put in there. It’s quite a selfish thing for Harper to do but ultimately, without Ellis, his career now doesn’t exist.

"He’s got so much to learn and the experience that Ellis has – working in London and on a plethora of cases that Harper hasn’t experienced yet. It’s great to pick up where they’re comfortable with each other but there’s still that threat of ‘Is this going to be forever?’ or ‘Does Ellis need Harper as much as Harper needs Ellis?’. Which is such a great dynamic to play."

Grace has, of course, always been a looming figure within Ellis's life but where season 1 had a bit of a question mark over her identity and whether she even wanted to talk to Ellis, this season that's replaced with Ellis being more present in Grace's life. As for how that'll manifest within Ellis's career decisions, if at all, we'll just have to wait and see.

It's not always been the smoothest of sailing for the leading duo but fans will be pleased to learn that they're on the up in season 2 – and that's a good thing, as there's plenty more crime to investigate.

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The synopsis for the first two episodes reads: "When the body of Peter Barron, a respected local businessman, is discovered in the tiny village of Ashenham, shock quickly turns to suspicion. The local force is out of their depth, and ACC Leighton wastes no time in parachuting in Ellis and Harper.

"With her forensic eye, Ellis recognises the situation for what it is: murder. Pushing past the limited resources of the local force and resistance in the community, she’s determined to unearth what really happened."

It continues: "The owner of a thriving plant nursery and a well-known philanthropist whose influence reached far throughout the community; Peter was once a beloved figure. However, a recent decision to launch a prison work release scheme has caused outrage. For some, the scheme was a natural continuation of Peter’s charity work, but for others, the idea of criminals integrating into their idyllic community was a step too far. And Peter, previously a unifying presence, found himself at the centre of a divided village with many wanting to see him held accountable."

"In Ashenham, long held grievances simmer just beneath the surface, and Ellis is determined to drag them into the open. In the end, one question towers over Ellis's investigation: was Peter killed for his ideals, or does the answer lie in his own circle, among those who knew him best?", the synopsis concludes.

Ellis season 2 begins on Tuesday 10 March and Wednesday 11 March at 9pm on 5.

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