Denis Lawson, best known the world over for his impressive array of roles, including the iconic X-Wing pilot Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars franchise, and as the mild-mannered Jarndyce in the BBC’s Charles Dickens adaptation Bleak House, has joined the cast of Victoria for series 2. Looking quite a bit different than his most recent role that would be familiar to PBS audiences, DI Steve McAndrew in New Tricks, Lawson was spotted in scenes filmed at historic landmark, Blair Castle, in Perthshire earlier this month.

The BAFTA-nominated Scot will play the Duke of Atholl, who resides in the Scottish Highlands, and will greet Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and Prince Albert (Tom Hughes) when they visit in season two. Lawson’s involvement coincides with the earlier news that Dame Diana Rigg, of Game of Thrones and Mrs. Bradley Mysteries fame, has also joined the regular cast as the Duchess of Bucchleuch, Victoria’s new Mistress of the Robes along with Martin Compston from Line of Duty.

Picking up six weeks after the first series ended, the new season of Victoria establishes the young Queen as a working mother as she faces new challenges both at home and abroad, learning to balance her responsibilities as both parent and Queen. However, Prince Albert is still struggling to find a role for himself alongside his powerful wife as she returns to her duties.

Series 2, which will most likely premiere on ITV this Autumn and on PBS in America in early January 2018, will also continue to feature another familiar face to public television viewers. Peter Bowles, who played nouveau riche millionaire supermarket owner, Richard DeVere, in To the Manor Born, can, once again, be seen in Victoria as the Duke of Wellington.

Victoria S2 returns to ITV in September and to PBS in January 2018.