The second series of Rake, starring Richard Roxburgh (Hawke, East of Everything, Blue Murder) as criminal defence barrister Cleaver Greene, will begin shooting in April in Sydney.

The second season synopsis notes, “Having learned nothing from disaster. Cleaver is once again up to his old tricks. He’s in the midst of a wild affair with a woman whose position makes her a very dangerous liaison, and his penchant for defending the indefensible is still in full swing. This time around it includes suicide bombers, psychotic schoolgirls, murderers, a pedantic chameleon, an international pariah, and a serial ‘bobbitter’ – allegedly.”

Reprising their roles are Matt Day (Tangle, My Brother Jack, My Year Without Sex) as David Potter, Russel Dykstra (Wild Boys, Romulus, My Father, Clubland), as Barney, Danielle Cormack (Underbelly: Razor, East West 101,) as his wife Scarlet (Red), Caroline Brazier (Wild Boys, Packed to the Rafters,) as Wendy, and Adrienne Pickering (Sea Patrol, The Reef, Rogue Nation) as Missy.

Guest actors are yet to be announced.

Ian Collie of Essential Media – (Rake, On Trial, Hell Has Harbour Views, Rogue Nation) is producer, along with Richard Roxburgh and creator Peter Duncan.

“It’s great to be back in production on Rake. Once again we have an opportunity to channel our various depravities into Cleaver – rather than exercise them ourselves. This is a considerable relief for our friends and loved ones,” said Duncan.

Directors include Jeffrey Walker (Jack Irish, Angry Boys, Dance Academy, City Homicide), Rowan Woods (The Straits, Spirited, The Boys, Little Fish), Peter Duncan (Rake, Hell Has Harbour Views, Children of the Revolution, Unfinished Sky) with the fourth director soon to be announced.

Writing with Duncan once again is Andrew Knight (SeaChange, After the Deluge, Tripping Over).

ABC TV Head of Drama, Carole Sklan said, “We are thrilled to welcome back the Rake team, so Cleaver Greene can once more cut his chaotic swathe into the murky depths of justice, politics, correct society and incorrect relationships.”