Sanditon season 2 cast: Meet the new and returning characters in Jane Austen period drama - including the new love interests

Sanditon season 2 has had something of a rocky history, as it was dropped by ITV after the first season aired in the UK, before PBS on Masterpiece and BritBox picked it up, saving the show and its cast members by renewing it for two more seasons.

Indeed, fans of the sumptuous Regency-era period drama - which is a TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel of the same name from 1817- will be thrilled to discover that it’s finally airing on ITV, after season 1 was billed as “sexy escapism” by critics.

The new series picks up nine months after the heartbreaking season 1 finale, as Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) returns to Sanditon without Sidney Parker (Theo James), and the seaside town grows in popularity.

But whilst our much-loved heroine is back, along with some of her familiar friends, a number of faces won't be appearing, including the aforementioned Sidney. Here, we round up the cast and characters of Sanditon season 2, including who’s new in town.

What adventures, scandals, intrigue and above all else - romance - await Miss Heywood this season?

*Note: Spoilers for Sanditon season 1 below*

Which cast and characters are returning for Sanditon season 2?

Rose Williams - Charlotte Heywood

Rose Williams (Reign) returns as the show’s leading lady, the high-spirited heroine, Miss Charlotte Heywood. After having her heart broken by Sidney Parker (Theo James) in season 1, Charlotte returns to Sanditon and soon attracts the attention of not one but two new men.

“She’s resolved herself against love and romance,” Williams told PBS on Masterpiece in an interview ahead of the new series.

“Her focus is forging a path of independence, which wasn’t even possible in that time period. I think that she’s interested in experience and true character.”

Crystal Clarke - Georgiana Lambe

Crystal Clarke (Ordeal by Innocence) is back as Charlotte’s best friend, the independent West Indian heiress Georgiana Lambe.

She often speaks her truth to stir up trouble, and - like Charlotte - had her heart broken in the first season, by the love of her life, Otis Molyneux. Season 2 sees Georgiana keen to forge her own identity - but she gets up to mischief in the name of love.

Anne Reid - Lady Denham

Anne Reid (Coronation Street, Last Tango in Halifax) returns to play Lady Denham, Sanditon’s grande dame. She sits on quite the fortune, presiding over the staggering Sanditon Estate. 

Kris Marshall - Tom Parker

Kris Marshall (My Family, Love Actually, Death in Paradise) is back as Tom Parker, who spent much of the first season trying to transform Sanditon into a resort destination. After the fire in season 1, Tom strives to rebuild Sanditon - but there are many unforeseen issues awaiting him.

Kate Ashfield - Mary Parker

Kate Ashfield (Line of Duty, Shaun of the Dead) returns to play Tom’s wife, and mother of his children, Mary Parker. Kind and patient, Mary grounds Tom and focuses his grand ideas.

Jack Fox - Sir Edward Denham

Jack Fox (Fresh Meat, Riviera) is back to play Sir Edward Denham, a handsome sycophant who has an eye for women and extravagance. Season 1 saw him dead set on getting his hands on Lady Denham’s fortune.

Charlotte Spencer - Esther Denham

Charlotte Spencer (The Living and the Dead, Line of Duty) returns to play the astonishingly frank Esther Denham, Sir Edward’s stepsister - who she was in love with. Eventually, she accepted the proposal of Lord Babington (Mark Stanley) and married him instead.

Lily Sacofsky - Clara Brereton

Lily Sacofsky (Bancroft, Summer of Rockets) is back as Clara Brereton, Lady Denham’s poorest relation who ends up banished by her.  

Adrian Scarborough also returns as Dr. Fuchs, alongside Turlough Convery as Arthur Parker, and Alexandra Roach as Diana Parker.

Which cast and characters are new for Sanditon season 2?

Rosie Graham - Alison Heywood

Rosie Graham (Outlander) is a new addition to the cast, playing Charlotte’s hopelessly romantic sister, Alison.

Tom Weston-Jones - Colonel Francis Lennox

Tom Weston-Jones (Shadow and Bone) is another new addition to the cast, playing Colonel Francis Lennox, who quickly sets his sights on wooing Charlotte.

Ben Lloyd-Hughes - Alexander Colbourne

Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Industry) plays Alexander Colbourne, a handsome and thoughtful man, and another love interest for Charlotte. 

Alexander Vlahos - Charles Lockhart

Alexander Vlahos (Versailles) plays Charles Lockhart, a Bohemian artist who's a "lover, critic, and explorer in equal measures".

Frank Blake - Captain Declan Fraser

Frank Blake (Normal People) also joins the cast as Captain Declan Fraser, a modest man who strikes up an acquaintance with Alison.

Maxim Ays - Captain William Carter

Maxim Ays (Still So Awkward) plays Captain William Carter, another potential suitor for Alison.

Eloise Webb also joins the cast as Augusta Markham, Alexander Colbourne's ward and niece, alongside Flora Mitchell as Leo Colbourne. 

Which cast and characters won’t be returning for Sanditon season 2?

Theo James - Sidney Parker

Theo James (Divergent, Downton Abbey) will not be returning to the role of Sidney Parker, Charlotte’s love interest and Tom's brother, from season 1. The end of the first season saw Sidney get engaged to the very rich Eliza Campion in order to save Sanditon.

In a statement confirming his exit from the show, James said that he won’t be returning as Sidney’s journey ended the way he wanted it to. He explained: “Although I relished playing Sidney, for me, I’ve always maintained that his journey concluded as I wanted it to.

“The broken fairy-tale like ending between Charlotte and Sidney is different, unique and so interesting to me and I wish the cast and crew of Sanditon every success with future series.”

It’s also been confirmed that Leo Suter (Vikings: Valhalla) will not be returning as Young Stringer, due to scheduling conflicts. Mark Stanley (Trigger Point, Game of Thrones) will also not be returning as Lord Babington, for the same reason.

“Due to several reasons including scheduling conflicts, neither Mark Stanley nor Leo Suter will be returning to the next season of Sanditon. We are extremely grateful to Mark and Leo and wish these two talented actors the very best for the future,” a representative for the show said in a statement to TVLine.

Where to watch Sanditon in the UK

Sanditon season 1 is available to watch now on ITV Hub and BritBox UK.

Sanditon series 2 begins on ITV on Friday 22 July at 9pm.

Sanditon season 2 is also available to watch in full on BritBox.