The Couple Next Door series 2: Inside the new Channel 4 thriller, including plot and start date
Helen Fear | 2:00pm Wed 2 Jul | Updated 2:08pm Wed 2 JulThe Couple Next Door returns for a series 2, and fans of the 2023 episodes can expect more of the same from the Channel 4 thriller. Look away now if you’re prone to blushing.
The first season followed a young couple who moved to an upscale neighbourhood to start a family… But they soon found themselves entangled in a complex web of desire and betrayal with their new neighbours… Putting it bluntly, there was lots of sexy kissing in the rain, clothes being torn off, and ‘doing bits’ (as the Love Islanders say).
Series 2 of The Couple Next Door on Channel 4 features a fresh cast and storyline, shifting the focus to a new couple and a new set of frisky neighbours on the same street. Here’s everything you need to know, including plot, cast, start date, location, and number of episodes.
Annabel Scholey and Sam Palladio as lovers Charlotte and Jacob in The Couple Next Door series 2 [Credit: Channel 4]
What’s the plot of The Couple Next Door series 2?
The UK series is a remake of a 2014 Dutch show called Nieuwe Buren (New Neighbours). The first episode of series 1 had over one million streams in the week of its release in 2023, making it Channel 4’s biggest scripted streaming launch ever. So it’s no surprise it got recommissioned.
This time, viewers are introduced to heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts, and her partner Jacob, a consultant anaesthetist. You might not be too surprised to hear they seem to have an idyllic, if busy, life. But it all goes pear-shaped when a new neighbour moves in next door… No, not a serial killer like in The Game, but a super-sexy temptress called Mia (although we can’t guarantee she’s not a killer, too)!
About The Couple Next Door series 2, Channel 4 said: “Brilliant heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts and her husband Jacob are a high-flying busy married couple. But things soon turn upside down when their mysterious new hospital colleague Mia rents out the house next door…
“Working her way into Charlotte and Jacob’s confidence and eventually their bed, Mia also quickly befriends cul-de-sac outcast Alan. Meanwhile, Charlotte has to handle the reappearance of past flame Leo.”
However, viewers will soon discover that Mia’s past comes back to haunt her… Charlotte and Jacob must subsequently question who she really is – especially when patients at the hospital mysteriously start dying…
Sarah Stack, Drama Commissioning Editor at Channel 4, said: “Viewers are certainly in for an explosive treat. If you loved series one, you won’t want to miss series two!”
How many episodes is it?
The raunchy new thriller is six episodes in total. Each episode will be one hour long, including ad breaks.
Channel 4 has not yet confirmed if all eps will drop as a boxset on the launch date.
Sendhil Ramamurthy as Leo in The Couple Next Door [Credit: Channel 4]
Who’s in the cast?
Annabel Scholey portrays heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts in the cast of The Couple Next Door on Channel 4. She’s best known for playing Nina Defoe in The Split, Beattie Johnson in Rivals, and worried daughter Ann-Marie Blake in The Sixth Commandment.
She’s also famous for her roles in Britannia, Medici, Being Human, and The Salisbury Poisonings.
Sam Palladio stars as her husband Jacob. Nashville viewers will know him as Gunnar Scott. He’s also recognised for his roles in Episodes, Humans, and Rebel.
On joining the cast, he said: “I was drawn to the project through its brilliant writing and challenging characters. And to step into the world of the show which is already loved by fans and bring Jacob to life, a troubled and complex character, is exciting and unlike anything I’ve done before.”
Aggy K. Adams portrays mysterious neighbour Mia. She’s previously played Lily in Greek Salad. Meanwhile, US actor Sendhil Ramamurthy stars as Charlotte’s ex-boyfriend Leo. He is best known for his roles as geneticist Mohinder Suresh in the NBC sci-fi drama Heroes, and Jai Wilcox in the action spy series Covert Affairs. Other notable roles include Gabe Lowen in the TV series Beauty and the Beast, Ramsey Rosso in The Flash, and Mohan Vishwakumar in Never Have I Ever.
Outnumbered actor Hugh Dennis returns as Alan Richardson, his creepy character from the first series. He’s the only character who returns from series 1.
The cast also includes:
- Van der Valk’s Maimie McCoy as Gemma
- Doctor Foster star Adam James as Ben
- Motherland’s Tanya Moodie as Yvonne
- Jackie Clune as Annette
- Professor T’s Barney White as Brandon
Viewers will know that the first season starred Eleanor Tomlinson, Alfred Enoch, Sam Heughan and Jessica De Gouw.
When’s the start date?
Series 2 of The Couple Next Door starts on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 on Channel 4.
The first three episodes will air on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of that week. The following week will deliver the last three episodes.
Aggy K. Adams as mysterious new neighbour Mia [Credit: Channel 4]
Where was The Couple Next Door series 2 filmed?
Season 2 of The Couple Next Door is set in Leeds, but was actually filmed in Belgium. This follows on from series 1 which was also filmed in the European city, as well as Leeds, Yorkshire, and the Netherlands.
Although the steamy show is set in British suburbia, the choice of Belgium for filming provides the series with its specific “unplaceable picture-perfect suburbia” look.
Appleby Drive is not a real street.
Wakefield-born Annabel Scholey said: “I was a big fan of series one and I am excited to be delving into David Allison’s gripping new script with a hugely talented cast and crew, whilst going back to my West Yorkshire roots.”
Meanwhile, Hugh Dennis tells us: “Filming in Belgium and Holland, pretending to be Leeds, is odd because Belgium doesn’t look much like Leeds. However, it’s great to experience a different country and way of life.”
