Hijack - Season 2 (2026) TV Series Review: Idris Elba Exchanges the Friendly Skies for the Berlin Underground in Apple TV+'s High-Stakes Thriller

The high-altitude tension of Apple TV+’s breakout hit returns to solid ground, though the stakes remain just as precarious as they were at thirty thousand feet. In its second season, Hijack shifts the focus from the commercial airwaves to the subterranean labyrinth of Berlin’s U-Bahn system. Showrunners George Kay and Jim Field Smith, along with lead writer Guy Bolton, have delivered an eight-episode thriller that aims to recapture the frantic, real-time energy that made the first season such a bingeable success. Released on 14 January 2026, this sophomore outing feels like a necessary evolution in a television landscape that often struggles to justify the "wrong place, wrong time" trope for a recurring protagonist.

The ensemble is once again anchored by Idris Elba as Sam Nelson, the corporate negotiator whose specialized skill set is once again his only currency in a life-or-death scenario. He is joined by returning cast members Christine Adams as his estranged wife Marsha, Max Beesley as DI Daniel O'Farrel, and Archie Panjabi as DCI Zahra Gahfoor. New players entering this pressure cooker include Toby Jones as an enigmatic intelligence official, Lisa Vicari as a fledgling train dispatcher, and Christian Näthe as a driver who seems to be crumbling under the weight of a dark secret. While the first season functioned as a self-contained "plane movie" stretched across seven hours, Season 2 attempts to build a more complex, politically charged world while maintaining its signature claustrophobic dread.

Narrative Arc and Pacing: A Descent Into Darker Tunnels

The central challenge of this season was always going to be the "how" and "why" of Sam Nelson finding himself in the middle of another hijacking. To their credit, the writing team avoids the trap of simple coincidence by introducing a narrative pivot that reframes Sam’s role entirely. Rather than being a bystander who steps up to save the day, Sam is revealed to be the very person initiating the takeover of the Berlin train. This shift from hero to "architect" of a crime creates a fascinating tension throughout the early episodes, even if it eventually becomes clear that his motivations are born of desperation rather than malice.

The episodic structure remains tight, with each installment ending on a significant cliffhanger that practically demands the viewer click through to the next chapter. The first episode, "Signal," is particularly effective at establishing a sense of unease, using Sam’s hyper-vigilance and apparent PTSD to set a grim tone. However, the middle section of the season does occasionally suffer from the "streaming bloat" that plagues modern thrillers. While the season is roughly five-and-a-half to six-and-a-half hours long, there are moments where the subplots—such as the various passenger vignettes—feel like they are merely treading water to reach the required episode count. The narrative momentum is at its strongest when it focuses on the direct psychological battle between Sam and the authorities, but it occasionally loses its way when it branches out into less essential subplots.

Character Evolution and Performances: Frayed Nerves and Moral Ambiguity

Idris Elba continues to be the primary reason to watch Hijack. In this second outing, he portrays a version of Sam Nelson who is significantly more "lived-in" and emotionally compromised than the cool, collected figure we met previously. Still reeling from the off-screen death of his son, Kai, Sam’s actions are fueled by a volatile mix of grief and protective instinct toward his surviving family. This "fresh desperation" makes him a more relatable, if less traditionally heroic, protagonist. Elba’s ability to convey complex thought through a single look or a furrowed brow remains his greatest asset here.

The supporting cast is led by a standout performance from Lisa Vicari as Clara Berger, the rookie dispatcher who becomes the eyes and ears of the crisis from the control room. Her character provides a necessary ground-level perspective that keeps the stakes feeling real rather than just cinematic. Christian Näthe also delivers a compelling, twitchy performance as Otto, the train driver whose internal conflict becomes a pivotal plot point. Toby Jones, as Peter Faber, brings his usual brand of inscrutable gravitas, serving as a reminder that the world above ground is just as dangerous as the one below. While some of the train passengers feel a bit like "ciphers" or "plot devices," the core ensemble manages to ground the often-absurd premise in genuine emotional stakes.

Direction and Production Value: The Labyrinth Beneath Berlin

Director Jim Field Smith makes excellent use of the Berlin setting, transforming the U-Bahn into a character of its own. The visual identity of the season is defined by steel greys, clinical lighting, and sweeping drone shots of the German capital that contrast sharply with the cramped, sweaty interiors of the train cars. The technical challenge of filming in such narrow confines is handled with impressive skill, making the action sequences feel frantic without being incoherent.

The production design does a fantastic job of world-building, portraying the metro system as a complex web of modern technology and abandoned tunnels. This sense of place adds a distinctive flavor to the season, separating it from the generic feel of many international thrillers. While some critics have noted that the U-Bahn is less "showy" than a mid-flight aircraft, the change in venue allows for a different kind of tension—one built on the fear of what is lurking just around the next dark bend in the track.

Trailer Hijack - Season 2 (2026) TV Series

Soundscape and Atmosphere: Echoes of Sam Cooke

The sound design in Season 2 is meticulously crafted to heighten the viewer's anxiety. The score is punctuated by the rhythmic, mechanical sounds of the train, creating a constant percussive backdrop to the dialogue. One of the most inspired choices is the recurring use of Sam Cooke’s music. Following the first season's opening with "Trouble Blues," this season kicks off with "Lost and Lookin’," a soulful, melancholic track that perfectly captures Sam’s headspace as he navigates the snowy Berlin streets.

The atmosphere is further enhanced by the inclusion of a significant amount of German dialogue, which adds to the feeling of Sam being a stranger in a strange land. This linguistic barrier increases the sense of isolation and miscommunication that drives much of the early conflict. The overall mood is one of "steel grey" professionalism masking a brewing international incident, a tone that the series maintains with admirable consistency.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Idris Elba’s Commanding Presence: Elba remains the undeniable core of the series, managing to sell even the most improbable scenarios through sheer charisma and emotional depth.
• The "Twisthanger" Format: The show’s ability to execute shocking episode endings remains unparalleled, ensuring high levels of "binge-ability".
• Effective Use of Location: Berlin’s U-Bahn provides a fresh, claustrophobic setting that distinguishes this season from its predecessor.
• Sam Cooke Soundtrack: The musical connection between the seasons is a sophisticated touch that adds thematic weight.
• Strained Credibility: The logistics of Sam being blackmailed into hijacking a train require a significant suspension of disbelief that may alienate some viewers.
• Underutilized Supporting Cast: While the lead performers excel, many of the train passengers are relegated to the background, serving more as obstacles than fleshed-out characters.
• Repetitive Dialogue: Some viewers may find Sam’s constant begging for people to "just listen" to him slightly monotonous as the hours drag on.
• Pacing Issues in the Home Stretch: The later episodes lose some of the initial momentum, making the final resolution feel less impactful than the buildup suggested.

Final Verdict: A Ride Worth Taking, Despite the Bumps

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Ultimately, Hijack Season 2 justifies its existence by daring to complicate its central hero. While it occasionally struggles with the same logical leaps and pacing issues that touched the first season, it remains a "class act" in the realm of high-octane streaming entertainment. The shift in dynamic—seeing Sam forced to play the villain to save those he loves—adds a layer of moral complexity that keeps the formula from feeling stale. It is a "thinking person's protagonist" in a "gourmet cheeseburger" of a show.

Fans of the first season will find plenty to love here, as the series retains its "house style" of unrelenting tension and sharp cliffhangers. However, those looking for a grounded, realistic exploration of a hostage crisis might find the "unlucky hero" trope increasingly thin. Despite these flaws, the sheer magnetic force of Idris Elba and the clever subversion of the hijacking premise make this a train ride worth catching.

Watch if you enjoyed the first season's frantic energy or if you are a devotee of Idris Elba's brand of weary heroism. This is for viewers who appreciate a thriller that values "the thrill of the chase" over strict adherence to reality.

Pass if you have a low tolerance for "wrong place, wrong time" coincidences or if you found the first season's real-time gimmick to be more exhausting than exciting.