Jemma Moore is returning to ITV as Jess Li in the second series of the high-stakes thriller Red Eye. Following the success of the first series, which reached over 8 million viewers, the new episodes move the action from a Beijing-bound flight to a tense lockdown at the US Embassy in London.
For Moore, returning to Jess means exploring a character who is still finding her feet as an investigative journalist. In this series, Jess is digging into the mysterious disappearance of an RAF engineer. “It’s unresolved, murky and dangerous—exactly the kind of story she loves,” Moore says.
Read more: ‘Red Eye’ Star Jemma Moore Discusses How The ITV Thriller ‘Inspires The Next Generation’
A personal link through neurodiversity
Moore has spoken openly about her own neurodiversity, being both autistic and having ADHD. She sees these traits reflected in how Jess investigates her stories by looking for patterns and details others might miss.
“I connect with her strong sense of justice,” Moore explains. She describes having “justice sensitivity,” a trait where fairness feels deeply personal, sparking an immediate need to speak up. While Jess is impulsive and “charges ahead,” Moore admits she is personally more aware of boundaries and danger. “I think she is a bit braver than me,” she adds.
“Biting” into the action
The second series promises more physical challenges for Jess. Moore teases that her character goes well beyond her typical journalist duties, even participating in intense stunt sequences.
“I’m not going to spoil anything, but she gets to bite someone!” Moore says, recalling a particularly fun day of filming. She describes the production environment as generous and focused, with director Camilla Strøm Henriksen helping the cast shape the “tension and energy” of these fast-paced moments.
Changing the face of UK drama
Beyond the thrills, Moore remains a strong advocate for representation on British television. She describes the series as a “huge step” for the industry, particularly as it features an East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) lead.
“I never saw Jess growing up,” Moore says, reflecting on her own childhood. “Representation matters. I would have been able to then see that that was a place that I could get to, instead of having to continuously tread water through my career”.
She expresses deep pride in being part of a show where Jess is written as a mixed-heritage character, noting that such roles are still rare in the UK.
A “binge-worthy” return
Moore admits she is a fan of the show’s fast-paced writing. She describes reading the scripts as a “just one more page” experience, where the momentum keeps you hooked until the end.
As series two approaches, she encourages viewers to tune in for a story that is “smart, fast, unpredictable and bigger and bolder than series one”.
Red Eye season two premiered in the UK on 1 January 2026.
The series airs weekly on ITV1, but for those who prefer to watch the entire story at once, all episodes are available to stream immediately on ITVX.
