Apple TV+ is kicking off 2026 with one of its most high‑pressure dramas. Hijack returns for a second season on January 14, 2026, dropping the first two episodes at launch before switching to a weekly schedule through February 25. After the nail‑biter aboard flight KA29, the thriller created by George Kay and Jim Field Smith trades the skies for the underground — and keeps its real‑time storytelling intact.
Release date, episode schedule and where to watch “Hijack” season 2
If you’re planning a binge or just want to stay current week to week, here’s how Apple TV+ is rolling out season 2 in the U.S.:
- Premiere date: Tuesday, January 14, 2026 on Apple TV+
- Launch drop: 2 episodes available on day one
- Then: 1 new episode every week until February 25, 2026
As with most Apple TV+ originals, you’ll need an active subscription, but episodes are typically available simultaneously in the U.S. and internationally.
From hijacked plane to trapped subway: what’s different in season 2?
Season 1 built its tension inside a commercial airliner; season 2 moves the danger to a place a lot more familiar to commuters: a Berlin subway train. A packed metro carriage becomes the new pressure cooker when it is seized, locking everyday passengers into a crisis that quickly escalates beyond city limits.
Idris Elba is back as crisis negotiator Sam Nelson, who once again finds himself pulled into negotiations he never asked for. The series leans into a core idea that worked so well the first time: Sam isn’t a superhero, just someone with the wrong (or right) skill set in exactly the worst situation.
Real‑time storytelling, turned up another notch
One of the big reasons Hijack broke through in the streaming crowd was its commitment to real‑time structure — what unfolds on screen roughly matches the timeline of the crisis. Season 2 keeps that device but adapts it to the rhythm of an urban transit system and the complexity of an international city.
Instead of the closed world of a transcontinental flight, the action now pulses through the tunnels of Berlin: platforms, security rooms, control centers, and government offices reacting minute by minute. Every decision, every misstep, is amplified by that ticking‑clock format, which Apple TV+ clearly sees as the show’s signature.
Watch the “Hijack” season 2 trailer
Apple TV+ has released a tense first look at the new episodes, teasing how quickly a routine commute can turn into a geopolitical emergency.
An expanded, more international ensemble around Idris Elba
Season 2 doesn’t just change locations; it broadens the show’s cast to match its international ambitions. Several key faces from the original run are back, including:
- Christine Adams
- Max Beesley
- Archie Panjabi
They’re joined by new European talent that helps root the story in Germany and the broader European landscape:
- Christian Näthe
- Clare-Hope Ashitey
- Lisa Vicari
- Toby Jones
The expanded cast suggests that season 2 will spend more time outside the confined hostage space itself — exploring government responses, security agencies, and the people caught between the political and human stakes of the crisis.
Idris Elba’s dual role: on screen and behind the scenes
Elba isn’t just returning as Sam Nelson; he’s also once again an executive producer on the series. After earning an Emmy nomination for his performance in season 1, his continued behind‑the‑camera involvement signals that this is a long‑term creative project for him, not just another acting gig.
For viewers, that usually means a tighter focus on character, particularly on what it means to live through — and then live after — a traumatic, highly public crisis. Season 2 is positioned to dig deeper into Sam’s psychology: what happens when a person becomes globally associated with a single, high‑risk event, and then is thrust into a similar nightmare all over again?
Why “Hijack” became a breakout hit for Apple TV+
Since its debut, Hijack has quietly become one of Apple TV+’s must‑watch thrillers. Critics and viewers alike praised its grounded approach to emergency situations: the show favors plausible decision‑making and escalating pressure over over‑the‑top spectacle.
The real‑time structure also turned the series into the kind of bingeable, edge‑of‑your‑seat experience that performs well on streaming and in global rankings. For Apple’s growing slate of originals, Hijack helps fill a valuable niche — a tense, premium thriller that feels contemporary and believable rather than purely action‑driven.
A more political, underground season
By moving the action to Berlin’s subway system, season 2 naturally leans into new themes. Mass transit is a soft target in any major city, and the show uses that reality to explore not just the immediate threat inside the train, but also how governments, security services, and international partners respond when a local incident has global implications.
Early details suggest the new episodes will emphasize:
- Constant tension: Sam is once again forced into the role of negotiator, but with fewer options and more eyes on his every move.
- Complex alliances: New characters complicate his ability to control the situation, mirroring the way real‑world crisis management involves conflicting agendas.
- Political undercurrents: Expect more discussion — explicit or not — about security, public perception, and how governments balance transparency with control in a live crisis.
The result should feel both familiar to fans of the first season and larger in scope, with higher‑level stakes layered over the intimate fear of being trapped in a car underground.
Is “Hijack” worth catching up on before season 2?
If you missed the first season, there’s still time to catch up before the January 14 premiere. Season 1 is a contained story centered on a single hijacked flight, so it’s easy to binge — and it lays the emotional groundwork for understanding why Sam Nelson is so reluctant to be dragged back into another life‑or‑death negotiation.
For viewers who enjoy real‑time thrillers like 24 but prefer a more realistic, less bombastic tone, Hijack has quickly become a go‑to recommendation on Apple TV+.
FAQ
When does “Hijack” season 2 premiere on Apple TV+?
Hijack season 2 premieres on January 14, 2026. Apple TV+ will release the first two episodes on that date, followed by one new episode every week through February 25, 2026.
Where is “Hijack” season 2 set?
Instead of another hijacked plane, season 2 takes place primarily in the Berlin subway system. A subway train and its passengers are taken hostage, kicking off a crisis that involves both local authorities and international players.
Is Idris Elba back as Sam Nelson in season 2?
Yes. Idris Elba reprises his role as Sam Nelson and also returns as an executive producer. His performance in season 1 earned him an Emmy nomination, and season 2 continues to center the story around his character’s moral and psychological dilemmas.
Do I need to watch season 1 before starting season 2 of “Hijack”?
While season 2 features a new hostage scenario and a fresh setting, watching season 1 will give you essential context about Sam Nelson’s background, his skill set, and the weight of his previous experience. You can jump into season 2 on its own, but the tension and character beats land harder if you’ve seen the first season.
