The second season of "Inspector Ellis" (titled "Ellis" in the UK) premiered in the UK on Channel 5 on October 31, 2024, and in the US on Acorn TV on November 4, 2024, (with June 3, 2026, as the announced return date for Acorn TV in other territories). The season features DCI Ellis (Sharon D. Clarke) and DS Harper (Andrew Gower) investigating two separate murder and missing persons cases across the North of England, moving from a rural village to a stoneworks. The series is lauded for its unique tone, described as neither grim nor cozy, and for its self-assured execution.
Critics highlight the strength of Sharon D. Clarke's performance as DCI Ellis, noting her portrayal of a competent, unsentimental, and direct investigator who is refreshingly un-tortured compared to many detective drama protagonists. Andrew Gower's DS Harper is also praised as an effective counterweight. The two-case structure, covering four episodes, allows for distinct narratives: one involving community grief in Ashenham due to the murder of a community leader and the disappearance of a young offender, and the other a darker tale of exploitation in Elmsly at a stoneworks. This structure is seen as a key strength, allowing each story to develop without feeling stretched.
While some reviews, like "We Love Movies," praise the season's pacing, character development, and handling of stakes, suggesting it avoids common British detective drama tropes, other outlets like "iNews" questioned the series' renewal, citing "ropey plotlines and weird pacing." The iNews review noted that despite a reported 4.3 million viewers for the first season (above average for Channel 5), the writing could be hackneyed, with forced dialogue and a lack of depth concerning Ellis's identity as a Black female DCI compared to season one. However, "Overly Honest Reviews" appreciated Ellis's quietly dominant presence and the show's confidence in its protagonist's functional approach to detective work.
The second season was created by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre with Paul Logue, and executive produced by Michele Buck, Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, and Lucy Raffety for Company Pictures, among others. Episodes were directed by Ed Bazalgette and Max Myers, and written by Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and Ollie Frampton. The return to Acorn TV was announced on June 3, 2026, by AMC Global Media, highlighting its status as a "gripping hit crime drama" praised for its "forensic brilliance" and "resilience."
