The Capture Season 2: Is it based on a true story? Plus season one ending recap

Season 2 of The Capture has arrived but fans are already wondering is it based on a true story and how many episodes are in store.

The first instalment saw an ambitious young DCI enter the terrifying world of deepfake technology, where the fabric of reality starts to fray with principals put to the test, and fate pushed to its limit. And if the second series proves just as bingeworthy as the first, you'll be needing our The Capture season 2: Ending explained guide sooner than you think.

If you're looking for a new show to watch whilst awaiting the arrival of the Keeley Hawles-led Crossfire or Inside Man starring David Tennant and Stanley Tucci, then this BBC series sequel is one to get stuck into. As fans prepare to see the cast face a new set of challenges, we look at all you need to know about season two...

Is the Capture based on a true story?

The Capture is partially based on a true story - but the narrative of the series is fictional.  Bustle reports that "the series itself is "based on [Ben Chanan's] own research (and existing knowledge of the subject matter from his years as a documentary maker) but the story of Shaun Emery (Callum Turner) and Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) is a work of fiction."

Ben Chanan hinted that the series is somewhat intertwined with the real world in an interview with The Guardian. "When I first took it to the BBC, they said to me 'this is set in a heightened reality, correct?' And I thought, well, I'm really not sure that that's actually the case."

How many seasons is The Capture?

The Capture is made up of two series so far. Series one of the British mystery crime-drama series, created, written and directed by Ben Chanan, aired back in 2019. It stars Holliday Grainger, Callum Turner, Laura Haddock, Ben Miles, Cavan Clerkin, Paul Ritter, and Ron Perlman.

How many episodes is The Capture?  

The Capture Season 2 features six episodes like season one of the show. The first episode of the new series aired on Sunday, 28th August on BBC One at 9pm. Episodes will continue to be aired weekly at this time.

If you however, can't wait to watch all of the second season - you'll be able to watch the whole boxset on BBC iPlayer now. You'll also find the whole of season one on iPlayer too - just in case you've forgotten what happened or want to relive it again. Similarly you could read our recap below...

How did The Capture season one end?

The Capture season one ended with viewers discovering that soldier Shaun Emery (played by Callum Turner) did kill the man in Afghanistan during his tour. The final episode of season one showed that the soldier fully accepted the truth of what had happened and even though he seemingly got away with the crime, he paid for another one when he went to prison for the death of Hannah Roberts (Laura Haddock). 

He was blackmailed by both American and British intelligence operatives to take the fall for the murder with “diminished responsibility” being cited for the killing. But the storyline took a twist when detective Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) told Shaun’s ex-wife that he wasn’t guilty - nevertheless, he would be spending a chunk of time behind bars.

Viewers will have to tune in to see how season two ends. 

Where to watch The Capture season 2:

The Capture season 2 airs weekly on Sundays at 9pm on BBC One. All episodes in season 1 and 2 are also available to stream on iPlayer now.

Season two kicks off with DCI Rachel Carey being seconded to Counter Terrorism Command's mapping department. When her former colleagues DS Flynn and DI Latif bring to her attention the case of a man murdered by invisible assailants, the stakes quickly become deadly. 

And in the second episode of season two, security minister Isaac Turner's hacked TV interview sends shockwaves through his personal and professional life. With DS Flynn in hospital, Carey and the team investigate a web of politically charged clues that seem to lead to China.

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