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Asim Abbasi is returning to direct an episode of the second season of the BBC series The Famous Five.

The BBC, in collaboration with Moonage Pictures and acclaimed filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, officially announced the production of a second season of The Famous Five, following the success of its 2023 debut, according to a Variety report.

The upcoming season will feature two episodes of 90 minutes each, and will bring Enid Blyton’s beloved characters to life against the backdrop of wartime Britain.

The first series was a major hit, with its premiere becoming CBBC’s highest-rated episode of 2023. As the Famous Five gear up for more thrilling adventures, viewers can expect another action-packed journey with Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and their faithful dog, Timmy.

What’s in store for season 2?

The second season will feature two episodes — Mystery at the Prospect Hotel and Big Trouble on Billycock Hill. Both promise to tackle fresh challenges and mysteries.

The first episode, directed by Abbasi of Cake, Churails and Barzakh fame, explores an investigation within a historic hotel, according to Variety, while the second, directed by Tom Vaughn, delivers another adventure in the British countryside.

Both Abbasi and Vaughn also serve as executive producers, alongside Nicolas Winding Refn and Matthew Read.

Returning to their roles as the Famous Five are Diaana Babnicova (Anne), Elliott Rose (Julian), Kit Rakusen (Dick), and Flora Jacoby Richardson (George). Fans of the 1990s adaptation of The Famous Five will see Jemima Rooper, who portrayed George in that series, returning in a new role.

New cast members include Maria Pedraza, Amir Wilson, and Jemima Rooper, who will bring fresh energy to this next chapter of the Famous Five’s adventures.

The legacy of The Famous Five

While The Famous Five is rooted in British culture, it enjoys a growing international following. BBC Studios will distribute the new series globally, except in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, where The Mediapro Studio, a co-producer, holds distribution rights.

Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five books have been a cherished part of children’s literature since the 1940s. Spanning 21 novels, the series follows four children and their dog as they embark on countless adventures, solving mysteries and uncovering secrets along the way.