All aboard for The Good Ship Murder season 2 where more bizarre killings and crimes are set to take place in Channel 5's hit drama set on a luxury cruise ship.
After the success of Good Ship Murder season 1, Shayne Ward is back as cabaret singer turned sleuth Jack Grayling. He is joined by Catherine Tyldesley as First Officer Kate Woods but Claire Sweeney has now left as Cruise Director Beverley Carnell.
So there are new faces among the crew too plus guest stars galore (see below). And for some very welcome news for fans hot on the heels of the 2024 Christmas special — there'll be also a season 3 of The Good Ship Murder too, liklely later in 2025.
So here's everything you need to know about The Good Ship Murder season 2 on Channel 5...
The Good Ship Murder season 2 release date
The Good Ship Murder season 2 is an eight-part series launching on Channel 5 from Friday January 10 2025 at 9pm with episodes showing weekly evert Friday.
Before this second series there was a Christmas special of The Good Ship Murder shown on Wednesday, December 18 2024 at 9pm, which you can catch up with on streaming service My5.
Is there a trailer?
Yes a trailer has now been released for The Good Ship Murder series 2. Jack is introduced as the James Bond of the cruising world'! Take a look below...
The Good Ship Murder season 2 plot and episode guide
Just like in The Good Ship Murder season 1 there'll be plenty of crimes for Jack and Kate to get their teeth into and use their considerable sleuthing skills. Here are the main plot points in our episode guide...
Episode 1: Friday January 10 2025
Jack and Kate investigate the death of an opera singer in the Italian capital Rome. Jack is ready to take a bold step in his relationship with Kate, inviting her for a romantic evening at the opera during their stop in Rome. But the unexpected arrival of Jack’s estranged 18-year-old daughter, Mia, throws his plans into chaos. Mia is on a mission: with her parents’ divorce looming, she’s determined to reunite them at any cost, even if it means sabotaging Jack and Kate’s blossoming connection. As Jack juggles reconnecting with Mia and investigating the murder of an opera troupe member, the tension between him and Kate reaches a boiling point. Mia’s meddling sows seeds of doubt in Kate’s mind. The situation spirals out of control when Mia runs away with a suspect from the murder investigation, leaving Jack to confront his daughter in a heart-wrenching showdown. Forced to make a choice, Jack assures Mia there’s no going back with her mother but promises to always be her father. Despite solving the case, Jack and Kate’s fragile romance takes a hit. Hurt and unsure, they agree to cool things off, but both are left questioning whether their stubborn pride has cost them a chance at happiness.
Episode 2: Friday January 17 2025
Chelsea guest stars as Melanie Metcalfe, who joins the cruise with her husband Dev (Muzz Khan). Melanie has just discovered she’s pregnant, so the couple are celebrating, but the real reason they’re on board is to reclaim the loot from a robbery that Dev was the getaway driver for 15 years ago, which has been stashed in Gran Canaria. Before they can get their hands on the cash, however, Dev takes a fatal fall from a cliff — and it seems it was no accident…
Episodes 3 to 8
Please do check back for updates...
The Good Ship Murder season 2 — returning cast
Shayne Ward (Coronation Street) is back as cruise ship crooner turned detective Jack Grayling, while fiercely ambitious crew member, First Officer Kate Woods, is again played by Catherine Tyldesley (Corrie, Scarborough, 15 Days, Viewpoint), plus Claire Sweeney returns as Cruise Director Beverley Carnell.
New cast and guest stars in The Good Ship Murder season 2
Joining in the fun for The Good Ship Murder series 2 is Ross Adams, best known as Scott Drinkwell in Hollyoaks, who'll be playing new entertainments manager Colin Smallwood.
Ross Adams says: I felt enormously lucky to get this role! I was at Hollyoaks [playing Scott Drinkwell] for almost 10 years, so you do worry as an actor that you might struggle to find other work. But then I got asked to audition for Colin, and I remember thinking, ‘oh, this would be so much fun!
"In the audition script, he was written as an older character — there were lots of references to the 1980s! But I just put my own spin on it and tried to have a laugh. When I got the part, I was over the moon!"
Meanwhile, Millie Kent plays Jack's daughter Mia, while guest stars in season 2 include former Coronation Street stars Angela Lonsdale and Greg Wood, former Doctors star Lorna Laidlaw, Duncan Preston, Sue Jenkins of Brookside fame and former Emmerdale stars Danielle Henry, Chelsea Halfpenny, Matthew Wolfenden, plus Mark McGann.
Shayne Ward on The Good Ship Murder season 2
Shayne Wayne has given us the lowdown on The Good Ship Murder season 2. He says: "Jack still has massive admiration for Kate and the way she puts her work first - but he’s also wondering how long he has to keep trying to get her to let her guard down and see he’s actually a good guy! When people watch, they’ll be thinking ‘just get together!’
"What’s great about season two is that people from Jack’s past come into his present - his daughter Mia [played by Millie Kent] makes an entrance, and people he arrested when he was in the police force also come on the ship!"
"Kate’s had quite a vamp in her costumes - she always looks like she’s just walked off a catwalk!
"It’s a great show, and we’re excited to keep exploring these different storylines and characters. We start filming season three this year - who knows where that’s going to take it?!
"It’s an amalgamation of all the greatest light-hearted crime dramas that have ever been on television. We’ve taken the best bits—Murder, She Wrote, The Love Boat, The Bill, even some Agatha Christie vibes—and turned them into something fresh and fun. It’s an easy, enjoyable family watch. Everyone can play amateur sleuth for the night, and who doesn’t love a murder mystery?"
Catherine Tyldesley on The Good Ship Murder season 2
Catherine Tyldesley has given us the lowdown on The Good Ship Murder season 2. She says: "Shayne and I just click so the chemistry between Jack and Kate is easy. We have the best time! Season two felt like a different show, super-polished in every way. Filming flowed so much better because everybody knew what they were doing and we all knew our characters inside out. The way it’s been shot looks incredible - they’ve done an amazing job.
"Kate is incredibly career-driven. In season one, we saw her begin to thaw a little, but in season two, she really wrestles with wanting happiness in her personal life versus the fear that slowing down in her career could undo all her hard work. It’s a mental tug-of-war. She’s secretly head over heels for Jack, which complicates things because she’s so used to focusing solely on her career. It’s been brilliant fun to play! You see a much softer side to her this season, especially in her interactions with Jack. He brings out this thrilling, adventurous side in her—it’s exciting to solve crimes together. Honestly, their chemistry is electric, and it’s been a joy to bring that to life.
"There are some wonderfu guest actors in season 2 — I’m a huge fan of Duncan Preston, and this was my second job with him. Sue Jenkins and Mark McGann stood out for me, but everyone who came in was really lovely and brought something new to each episode."
Behind the scenes and more on The Good Ship Murder series 2
The Good Ship Murder season 2 and 3 are produced by Clapperboard, in association with FIFTH SEASON. The series was ordered by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5. Executive Producers for Clapperboard are Mike Benson, Andy Morgan and Paul Matthew Thompson, with Jonathan Phillips producing. Steve Hughes returns as Director, and is joined by Merlyn Rice. FIFTH SEASON will handle worldwide distribution on the series.
Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, at Channel 5, says: "Greg and I are excited for these new tales on The Good Ship Murder. The blend of music, mystery, and beautiful locations was a winning formula that our viewers loved in series one, and we’re excited to be working with Clapperboard again to bring this series back”.
Mike Benson, Managing Director of Clapperboard, adds: “Series one was something of a journey - or mid-price cruise - into the unknown… not least trying to film a drama on a cruise ship with 6000 holidaymakers heading to eight different countries! However, we were delighted with how the concept found an audience and are thrilled to be making two more series packed with sun, showtunes and subterfuge.”
Prentiss Fraser, President of TV Distribution at FIFTH SEASON, says: “The Good Ship Murder really delivers on exactly what buyers around the world are looking for right now – it’s long-running, set in beautiful and sun-filled locations, and offers a light-hearted, cosy procedural with a twist. We knew the show was destined to sail straight into the hearts of audiences and become a fan-favourite, returnable series – and we’re now looking forward to bringing fresh mysteries to our existing partners all around the world, plus more to come in the territories where we’re continuing to field offers.”
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
