Bancroft to return on New Year's Day

\'Bancroft\' will return on New Year\'s Day (01.01.20).

The hotly-anticipated second series of the ITV drama - which sees Sarah Parish reprise the ruthless role as Detective Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Bancroft - is to air three episodes across consecutive nights over the new year, more than two years after the first series aired.

The first episode of the second series will air on Wednesday January 1st at 9pm, and the drama will continue for a further two nights.

Sarah previously admitted she is "thrilled" to be taking on the role again.

She said: "I\'m absolutely thrilled to be returning to the role of Bancroft and inhabiting her complex life which Kate [Brooke] has crafted so well.

"Bancroft is such a contentious anti-heroine and as a character she offers me so much to work with. Manipulative and strategic with her thinking, she knows how to get what she wants.

"The question is, what will this cold-blooded killer do next in order to defend her son?"

The second series will see her investigate a double murder case, which will affect both her personal and professional life as her estranged son Joe (Adam Long) is implicated in the disturbing case.

Bancroft will come under serious pressure due to a dangerous pact with crime boss Daanish Kamara (Ryan McKen), and Adrian Edmondson\'s character Cliff Walker will be keeping a watchful eye on her.

The first series of \'Bancroft\' - created and written by Kate Brooke - aired in December 2017, and also featured Faye Marsay and Art Malik.