The Gold returns for a series 2 any day now, which BBC One is describing as “unpredictable and surprising” – here’s everything you need to know, including plot, cast, and start date.

The first series was hailed as a 24-carat drama about one of the UK’s most shocking robberies. Inspired by true events surrounding the 1983 Brink’s-Mat robbery and the remarkable story that followed, the drama aired in 2023.

Now, in 2025, viewers can enjoy more episodes from Neil Forsyth, creator and writer of Scottish crime series Guilt. So how does The Gold series 2 follow on from the first six-parter, what’s the plot, who’s in the cast, and when’s the start date? Here’s everything you need to know.

Tom Cullen living the life as John Palmer in The Gold series 2 [Credit: BBC/Tannadice Pictures/Cristina Ríos Bordón][/caption]

Is there a series 2 of The Gold? What’s the plot?

The Gold is indeed returning to BBC One with a series 2. The BBC announced that the critically-acclaimed factual drama had been recommissioned back in November 2023. Cast and crew started filming in January 2024.

Series 1 followed six armed men who stole £26m worth of gold from the Brink’s-Mat security depot in 1983. As they tried to dispose of the bullion, DCI Brian Boyce set up a police task force to investigate. The first series of The Gold aired in February 2023 with 8.7 million viewers for episode one.

The latest series follows the investigation into the second half of the gold as it evolves on an international scale. A synopsis tells us: “Following multiple court cases and convictions of some of those involved in the theft and handling of the Brink’s-Mat gold, the police realised that they had only ever been on the trail of half of the money.

“Series two is inspired by some of the theories around what happened to the other half of the money. As the police investigation continues, it becomes a tense, high-stakes journey into international money laundering and organised crime.

“The Brink’s-Mat Task Force embark on a series of dramatic manhunts as they desperately try to solve the longest and most expensive investigation in the history of the Metropolitan Police.”

How many episodes is the BBC One series?

The Gold series 2 is six episodes long, with each instalment being 60 minutes long.

At the end of series 1, the net tightened around the criminals. Brian Boyce came face to face with John Palmer, and Brightwell and Jennings made a shocking discovery.

The new episodes follow on from the series 1 finale. Neil Forsyth, creator, writer and executive producer, said: “The second series of The Gold picks up from the first series when the police realise they were only ever chasing half of the gold.

“This series follows the second half of the Brink’s-Mat gold. It’s also a story of the consequences faced by several of our key characters. The second and final part of The Gold sees the story of the Brink’s-Mat robbery, and everything that stemmed from it, become even more expansive, surprising and international.

“It has been a real thrill for me to see the scripts brought to life so brilliantly by our director Patrick Harkins, our fantastic cast, and our hard-working crews in the UK and Spain.”

Rochelle Neil and Tom Hughes as Logan Campbell and Kadene in The Gold series 2 [Credit: BBC/Tannadice Pictures/Cristina Ríos Bordón][/caption]

Who’s returning in the cast?

Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden reprises his role as Kenneth Noye. He will feature from episode three onwards. Of course, as well as playing River Cartwright in the Apple TV+ series, Scottish actor Jack is also known for portraying Adam Roebuck in The Tunnel, and Nikolai Rostov in War and Peace (as well as a tonne of film roles). He’s soon play the iconic role of Mr Darcy in the upcoming TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, too.

Hugh Bonneville also returns as DCI Brian Boyce. Downton Abbey fans will know him best for playing Robert Crawley in the period drama.

Tom Cullen, who also appeared in Downton Abbey as Anthony Gillingham, comes back to play robber John Palmer. Meanwhile, Doctor Who’s Peter Davison returns as Commissioner Gordon Stewart.

This City is Ours fans will recognise James Nelson-Joyce, who returns as Brian Reader from series 1. James starred as conflicted gang member Michael Kavanagh in the BBC series. Before that, he was known for portraying Pez Pierce in Strike, and Johnno in Time opposite Sean Bean.

The returning cast also includes:

Sanditon’s Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings.

Guilt’s Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell.

The Last Kingdom’s Stefanie Martini as Marnie Palmer.

Fargo’s Sam Spruell as Charlie Miller.

Ellis‘ Amanda Drew as CS Cath McClean.

Virdee‘s Silas Carson as Harry Bowman.

Jack Lowden returns as Kenneth Noye [Credit: BBC/Tannadice Pictures/Cristina Ríos Bordón]

Who’s new in the cast of The Gold series 2?

Tom Hughes joins the cast of The Gold series 2 as Logan Campbell. Logan is a “composite character” inspired by some of those involved with the Brink’s-Mat criminal enterprises, In this case, the laundering of money. Tom is known for his recent appearance in Malpractice, as well as his roles in Victoria, The English, Trinity, and Casualty 1909.

Stephen Campbell Moore also appears in The Gold for the first time. He stars as real person Tony Lundy, a “maverick” who is bought in by Boyce to help with the investigation. Stephen is known for playing Rob in the cast of Little Disasters, Major ‘Red’ Bowman in Masters of the Air, and Jonathan Gresham in War of the Worlds.

Joshua McGuire stars as Douglas Baxter, a Cambridge-graduate lawyer who offers his financial services to launder money on the Isle of Man. TV viewers will know actor Joshua best for playing Josh in the comedy Cheaters, Pete Spencer in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, and Angus in Lovesick.

The new cast also includes:

The Madness’ Tamsin Topolski as Alice Harper.

The Nevers’ Rochelle Neil as Kadene.

Shantaram’s Antonia Desplat as Lena.

The Bay‘s Lorna Brown as Lauretta.

Black Doves‘ Thomas Coombes as Jed Nixon.

Sean Teale – aka Tristan Silva in Doctor Odyssey – as Enrique.

Industry‘s Olivia Grant in an undisclosed role.

When is the start date? How can I watch it?

The second series of The Gold will be returning on Sunday, June 08, 2025 at 9pm on BBC One. Episode two will follow on Tuesday, June 10. It would usually air on the Monday, but has been moved as a result of the Belgium v Wales FIFA World Cup Group J qualifier being shown on Match of the Day Live.

Viewers will be able to stream all episodes of The Gold series 2 on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Sunday, June 08, ahead of the series starting on BBC One at 9pm that evening.

The Gold series 1 is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Hugh Bonneville returns as police office Brian Boyce [Credit: BBC/Tannadice Pictures/Ana Blumenkron][/caption]

Is it based on a true story?

The Gold is inspired by the true story and theories of the 1983 Brink’s-Mat robbery, which saw the theft of £26 million worth of gold bullion. It also follows the chain of events that followed.

As with the first series, The Gold is “inspired” by the real events and theories that followed the 1983 Brink’s-Mat robbery. Some characters, elements and chronologies have been created or changed for dramatic purposes.

Will there be a series 3 of The Gold?

Nope, the Beeb has confirmed that there will not be a series 3 of The Gold. The new series, airing in 2025, is the second and final part of The Gold.

That’s because the series 2 finale of The Gold brings the story of the Brink’s-Mat robbery up to date. Police failed to recover most of the gold in what was described as “the crime of the century”. In fact, less than $60,000 of the $2.7 million was ever found.

Of the 11 people involved in the robbery, eight received life sentences after a trial. Two others died before they could be convicted.

Neil Forsyth, creator, writer and executive producer, said: “I always saw The Gold as a two series show, following the two halves of the gold, so this will be the final series.”

Sam Spruell, who plays Charlie Miller in The Gold series 2, filming scenes in Tenerife [Credit: BBC/Tannadice Pictures/Cristina Ríos Bordón][/caption]

The Gold series 2 filming locations

Cast and crew filmed series 2 of The Gold across the UK and Tenerife. Creator and writer Neil Forsyth explained: “In this series, we go into some exciting new worlds – we go to the Isle of Man, the Caribbean, Spain and Tenerife (the latter three all filmed in Tenerife).”

He added: “These are all journeys that begin in South London, with the original Brink’s-Mat robbers. The story travels from Britain around the world, while keeping that British heart to it. And, in terms of the criminality, we examine a new level of money laundering and professional crime. In this series, the journeys that our characters go on end far beyond their home bases and their home networks.”

Talking about filming in Tenerife, actor Emun Elliott – who plays DI Tony Brightwell – said: “We were filming in Santa Cruz, which is the capital of Tenerife. In the second series of The Gold, we go international in terms of storytelling. Series one was very much London-centric, although there was a tiny little bit where Jennings and Brightwell nip off to Sierra Leone for around a day and there’s a little bit on the south coast of Spain. This time, the story really expands in terms of scale, and we really go international as the money starts to find its way all over the globe.”

Tenerife acts as the Caribbean, south of Spain and as Tenerife itself.

Read more: Viewers ‘cringe’ during Death Valley on BBC One as they criticise multiple flaws

The Gold starts on Sunday, June 08, 2025 at 9pm on BBC One, and drops as a boxset from 6am.