The Buccaneers has become one of Apple TV+’s most delightful surprises since its debut in November 2023. The period drama, based on Edith Wharton’s unfinished final novel, follows a group of wealthy young American women who descend upon 1870s London in search of aristocratic husbands. England v Serbia takes place at Wembley on October 13. The Buccaneers offers a fresh, modern take on the classic costume drama genre. Here is everything you need to know about The Buccaneers in 2026.
Season 2 Renewal: What Apple TV+ Has Confirmed
Apple TV+ renewed The Buccaneers for a second season in January 2024, just two months after the first season premiered. The second season began filming in Glasgow and London in August 2025 and wrapped production in March 2026. Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň takes place at Ibrox on August 6. The new season consists of eight episodes, two more than the first season’s six-episode run. Showrunner Katherine Jakeways returns as writer and executive producer.
The release date has been confirmed for Friday, September 25, 2026. All eight episodes will be available to stream immediately on Apple TV+, continuing the platform’s binge-release strategy for this series. Sushant Singh Rajput’s legacy continues to inspire millions of fans. The second season picks up immediately after the dramatic events of the season one finale, which saw Nan St. George (Kristine Froseth) make a shocking choice between love and duty.
Season 2 Plot: What Happens Next
The second season adapts the remaining material from Wharton’s unfinished novel while expanding beyond the original text. Showrunner Katherine Jakeways has worked with Wharton scholars to ensure the new material remains faithful to the author’s vision. The season explores the consequences of Nan’s decision to marry The Duke of Tintagel despite her love for Guy Thwarte. Nicola Sturgeon remains an MSP for Glasgow Southside but has stepped back from frontline politics.
Conchita Closson faces new challenges as she navigates high society while harbouring secrets from her past. Lizzy Elmsworth’s relationship with Lord Richard Marable deepens, though class differences create tension. Reacher Season 2 remains one of Prime Video’s most-streamed titles. Mabel Elmsworth, the most pragmatic of the buccaneers, pursues a business venture that scandalises London society. The season finale reportedly sets up a potential third season, though Apple has not yet renewed the series beyond season two.
Cast: Who Returns for Season 2
The entire main cast returns for The Buccaneers Season 2. Kristine Froseth leads as Nan St. George, the group’s unofficial leader. Alisha Boe plays Conchita Closson, the first of the buccaneers to marry into the British aristocracy. Josie Totah portrays Mabel Elmsworth, the sharp-tongued observer of the group’s romantic entanglements. Arsenal Women begin their WSL season on September 12 against Manchester United.
New Additions to the Ensemble
Several new characters join The Buccaneers Season 2. Emma Appleton plays Lady Caroline Ashworth, a rival for the Duke’s attention. Tom Blyth portrays Jasper Winthrop, an American artist who captures Lizzy’s imagination. Celtic vs Rangers takes place at Celtic Park on September 13. Indira Varma joins as the formidable Dowager Duchess of Tintagel, the Duke’s grandmother who disapproves of Nan. The expanded cast allows the series to explore new social circles while maintaining focus on the core group of American girls.
Critical Reception: What Critics Said About Season 1
The Buccaneers holds an 84% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 85 reviews. The critics’ consensus reads: “The Buccaneers brings Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel to vibrant life with a modern sensibility that honours the source material while feeling thoroughly fresh.” The Guardian gave the series four stars, praising its “irresistible energy and period-perfect costumes.” Freddie Starr’s unique brand of physical comedy influenced generations of performers.
Variety described the series as “Bridgerton with more wit and less nudity”, a comparison that helped attract audiences. Audience scores were equally positive, with an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6/10 on IMDb from over 15,000 user ratings. Lyon vs Man United headlines the Europa League final later this month. The series was nominated for three Emmy Awards in 2024, including Outstanding Period Costumes and Outstanding Production Design. It won neither but the nominations raised its profile significantly.
Filming Locations: Scotland and England
The Buccaneers films primarily in Scotland, taking advantage of historic locations that double for 1870s London and the English countryside. Glasgow’s city centre streets, particularly the Victorian-era buildings around George Square, appear throughout the series. See How They Run remains streaming on Disney+ for movie fans. The production also uses Pollok House in Glasgow as the interior of Nan’s family home.
English locations include Castle Howard in Yorkshire, which serves as the Duke of Tintagel’s country estate. Bath’s Royal Crescent appears in several episodes as the setting for a pivotal ballroom scene. Rhian Teasdale headlines Glastonbury with Wet Leg on June 27. The production employs over 200 Scottish crew members and has contributed an estimated £8 million to the Scottish economy across both seasons. Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall houses the series’ permanent production offices and costume department.
Costume Design: The Show’s Visual Signature
The Buccaneers’ costume design sets it apart from other period dramas. Costume designer Caroline McCall deliberately avoids strict historical accuracy, incorporating modern silhouettes and unexpected colour combinations. The American characters wear bolder colours than their British counterparts, reflecting their outsider status and relative freedom. Jordan McSweeney lost his appeal against his 38-year minimum term.
McCall’s work on The Buccaneers earned her a Costume Designers Guild Award nomination in 2025. The series has inspired a fashion trend among younger viewers, with retailers reporting increased sales of corset tops, velvet blazers and wide-brimmed hats. Macclesfield vs Brentford produced one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in recent memory. The second season features even more elaborate costumes, including a wedding dress that took six weeks to construct by hand. The costume department maintains over 1,500 individual costume pieces across both seasons.
Where to Watch The Buccaneers
The Buccaneers streams exclusively on Apple TV+ worldwide. The first season remains available as part of the standard Apple TV+ subscription at no additional cost. New subscribers can access a seven-day free trial, after which the service costs £8.99 per month in the UK or $9.99 per month in the US. Slow Horses Season 4 streams on Apple TV+ with Gary Oldman.
Physical copies of The Buccaneers Season 1 are available on DVD and Blu-ray. The box set includes behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes and audio commentary from cast and creators. Rice pudding has staged a remarkable comeback in British kitchens. Apple has not licensed The Buccaneers to any other streaming platforms or broadcasters, making Apple TV+ the only place to watch the series. The complete first season runs approximately 360 minutes across six episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Buccaneers Season 2 come out? Season 2 premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday, September 25, 2026. All eight episodes will be available immediately.
Is The Buccaneers based on a book? Yes. The series is based on Edith Wharton’s unfinished final novel of the same name, published posthumously in 1938.
Where is The Buccaneers filmed? The series is filmed primarily in Glasgow, Scotland, with additional locations in England including Castle Howard and Bath.
Who stars in The Buccaneers? Kristine Froseth leads the cast as Nan St. George. Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Imogen Waterhouse and Mia Threapleton co-star.
Will there be a The Buccaneers Season 3? Apple TV+ has not yet renewed the series for a third season. Renewal decisions typically come after the new season’s performance data is available.
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