Apple TV's #1 Show Is the Triumphant Return of One of the Biggest Hits of the Streaming

In 2023, Hijack became a phenomenon for Apple TV+. The seven-hour real-time drama, starring Idris Elba as negotiator Sam Nelson, garnered a huge following and earned Elba another Emmy nomination.

Now, three years later, the series is returning. The first five episodes of the second season are already available – the creators have not only maintained the high standard, but also found an unexpected way to refresh the formula.

What Is 'Hijack' Season 2 About?

While the first season unfolded aboard a plane flying from Dubai to London, the second season takes place underground. Sam Nelson flies to Berlin, descends into the U-Bahn, and hijacks a train.

Without warning and without an apparent motive, he simply takes control of the train. The passengers, including a British tour group and a casual acquaintance of Sam's, as well as the terrified conductor, Otto, have no idea that they have become hostages.

Meanwhile, panic breaks out at the British embassy and the transport control center. Sam's colleague, Olivia, waits in vain for his morning meeting. Meanwhile, intelligence comes into play, and somewhere in a remote cabin, Nelson's ex-wife, Marsha, appears.

'Hijack' Season 2 Takes the Action From the Sky to the Underground – and the Tension Remains High

The Berlin subway provides creators with new possibilities – unlike an airplane, a train can move and wind through underground labyrinths while encountering obstacles. These features add dynamic and expand the narrative's geography.

At the same time, the physical accessibility of the locations enables the characters to respond more swiftly to events – after all, going underground is easier than taking to the skies.

The creators also skillfully exploit time. The action begins during rush hour, and the subway's suspension instantly paralyzes the city, bringing crowds of disgruntled people into the streets.

The tension never lets up, the suspense is built not on the action but on the constant sense of time pressure and the impossibility of predicting Sam's next move.

Season 2 of 'Hijack' Is a Worthy New Chapter That Will Please Fans of the First Season

The second season's main feature is its dramatic reversal: the savior becomes the captor. This shift not only refreshes the narrative, but also allows creators to explore topics of justice, responsibility, and moral choice from a different perspective.

The writers are keeping their cards close to their chest – in the first episodes, we see the goal but don't know the causes or consequences. The train passengers, each with their own character and story, gradually cease to be mere background characters.

As in the first season, the events take place over the course of a single day and are broken down into hourly episodes, so the best way to enjoy it is to watch the entire season of Hijack when the finale airs.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Hijack' Season 2?

• Hijack Season 2 has 73% from critics and 59% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.