‘It's dark with real heart'

Suranne Jones and Lennie James on what sets the sequel to their hit thriller apart

- Tess Lamacraft

Emerging from The Palm Tree pub, Nelson ‘Nelly’ Rowe, in his signature bright yellow padded jacket, comes into view, a cigarette pinched between his fingers, as he squares up to DS Shola O’Halloran, who wants to know where he was the previous night.

It’s a grey winter’s morning in London’s East End and TV Times is watching stars Lennie James and Nadine Marshall film scenes for Sky Atlantic’s Save Me Too, the muchanticipated sequel to 2018’s award winning thriller Save Me.

The first series saw Lennie’s character, charming chancer and womaniser Nelly, dragged into a dark underworld after his estranged 13-year-old daughter, Jody (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), was kidnapped.

The new six episodes pick up the action 17 months on, with Nelly and Jody’s mum, his ex Claire McGory (Gentleman Jack star Suranne Jones), still on their desperate mission to find her.

During a break, Lennie, 54, who also created and writes the series, and Suranne, 41, reveal why season two is even darker, and share their delight at a new cast addition in the shape of Mum’s leading lady, Lesley Manville…