Get ready to check back into The Fortune Hotel for another summer of secrets, scandal and case-swapping as ITV1's acclaimed reality competition returns for its second series.
Here's what we know about The Fortune Hotel season 2 so far...
The Fortune Hotel season 2 release date
The Fortune Hotel reopens for business on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 August at 9pm on ITV1. The eight-part series will air every Wednesday and Thursday for four weeks.
How does The Fortune Hotel work?
Best described as a mix of The Traitors and The White Lotus, The Fortune Hotel season 2 will once again see new pairs of holiday makers packing their bags and donning their best game faces as they head to a Caribbean paradise with their sights firmly set on winning the ultimate prize: a briefcase packed with £250,000.
A game of intrigue, strategy and barefaced lying, the aim is to spot which duo is in possession of the coveted case - and not one of the many empty cases - in order to try to bag it for themselves. And nobody wants the case containing the 'Early Checkout'.
With season 1 achieving 6.5m streams and reaching just under 12 million viewers when it aired on ITV1 and ITVX last year, we're told season 2 promises an array of "all-new vital challenges, never before seen twists, high-stakes deception and, of course, plenty more helpings of intense case-swapping drama in The Night Cap".
The Fortune Hotel season 2 host
Back to cast a watchful eye on The Fortune Hotel's guests is host Stephen Mangan. He'll be on hand with new vital Day Trip challenges filled with devious surprises, updated Room Service games that now take place around the hotel, and sneaky surprises that will make keeping hold of that coveted case containing the £250,000 even harder.
‘Spending another month in a beautiful hotel in Grenada in November when it’s dark and gloomy in the UK, I did not need to be asked twice,’ says Stephen, 57. "I am absolutely thrilled to have returned to the sunshine to check in a new set of unsuspecting guests to The Fortune Hotel," says Stephen. "The stakes are higher, the games are bigger, and the twists are even more unexpected. I can't wait for viewers to witness all the drama, the laughter, and jeopardy of the high-stakes competition this time around. It's going to be quite the ride!"
Also, new for this series is a brand-new companion vodcast (and podcast!) The Fortune Hotel: Late Check Out, hosted by comedian Ellie Taylor, which will follow every episode of the main show, airing across ITVX, YouTube & all Global streaming platforms (including Spotify and Apple).
More on Late Check Out
Late Check Out takes viewers and listeners on a deep dive into all things Fortune Hotel, with special guests, behind-the-scenes gossip, exclusive clips, and interviews with the hotel’s freshly checked-out pairs.
We'll also get Stephen's exclusive reaction to the dramatic Night Caps, and there are two special episodes of hilarious outtakes featuring the man himself.
There are also shocks and revelations aplenty in the 'Golden Case Reveal’, where eliminated pairs discover who was holding the money.
"I'm so excited to be unpacking all the delicious drama from The Fortune Hotel on Late Check Out," says Ellie. "I'll be getting all the gossip, dissecting the most jaw-dropping moments, and hearing directly from the contestants reflecting on their unforgettable Fortune Hotel experience.”
What else is new for series two of The Fortune Hotel?
Having watched the first series, this latest bunch of hotel guests could easily think they know how to win the jackpot - but as Stephen reveals, they should expect the unexpected…
"We kick off with much more high drama," he teases. "After seeing series one, the hotel guests will have now come up with a plan; our job is to do things they’re not expecting, so they don’t think they know how the game is going to play out. It keeps them guessing, surprised and shocked - and also makes it much more interesting for the people watching at home."
When Stephen first meets the pairings, does he have an idea of who he thinks might win?
"You always have an idea but it’s not just about being good at the game; in fact, looking like you ARE going to be good is dangerous, as the others will then want to get rid of you," says Stephen.
"You've got to look slightly like you don't know what you're doing, but underneath it, really know what you're doing! You should also be likeable and give off a trustworthy vibe. This show involves physical challenges, mind games, personality reading, working out who’s being honest… and a big chunk of luck!"
And, presumably, a certain amount of risk-taking?
"Absolutely," enthuses Stephen. "In the first series, when we got to The Night Cap at the Lady Luck bar - where the crucial case swap happens at the end of each episode - everyone was very cautious and didn’t want to take risks, so they just clung onto the case they already had. This time, people were swapping cases like crazy - even I couldn’t keep up with what was going on!"
Come on then, spill the tea... What’s the dynamic really like at The Night Cap?
"It's incredibly tense," confirms Stephen. "You can cut the atmosphere in the Lady Luck bar with a knife!
"The players have formed friendships and alliances but they still don't truly know if they can trust the other pairings, so there’s lots of whispering in their teams and they’re literally shaking with nerves.
"When people start arguing, I want to calm them down - but I know viewers want to see the fights and the fallouts!"
How does Stephen think he'd do at actually playing the game?
According to Stephen, not so great. Good job he's hosting then, eh?
"I don't know if I could look someone in the eye and try to sell them a lie, so I reckon I’d be good up to a point, then I’d crack!"
Where exactly is The Fortune Hotel filmed?
The Fortune Hotel is filmed at the Silversands Grenada resort, a luxury hotel located on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Specifically, it's situated on Grand Anse Beach.
While we've established Stephen LOVES filming in the Caribbean, the job isn't without its pitfulls...
"The biggest challenge for me is trying not to sweat too much - it’s very hot in Grenada and no one wants to see a clammy host," he says.
"Filming 12-hour days, six days a week, I don't have a lot of down time. Some crew members hit the rum shacks on a fairly regular basis - but I try to remain professional.
The Fortune Hotel Series 2 trailer
There sure is! Feast your eyes on this:
