Channel 5’s The Teacher returns with a new story and a new cast for its second season. The season premiere introduces Dani Oxley (Kara Tointon), an art teacher, as she joins a group of students on a trip to the Mallory Adventure Centre. Dani’s passion for teaching is evident as she enthusiastically checks off students’ names and greets fellow teacher Jimmy (Will Mellor) and his son, Matt (Forrest Bothwell). However, tension beneath the surface is hinted at through her detached interaction with her husband, Tim (Emmett J Scanlan).
As the episode unfolds, we see a spark between Dani and Jimmy that quickly ignites into a passionate kiss on the first night of the trip. The following morning, Dani struggles to balance her duties as a teacher and her growing attraction to Jimmy. In a moment of weakness, she leaves her students unattended and sneaks off to meet him in the boathouse, where they give in to their desires.
Upon her return, panic ensues as Dani discovers that one of her students, Zac (Cal O’Driscoll), is missing. With the help of Jimmy and another teacher, Bel (Lila Coleman), she frantically searches for Zac. The situation turns more dire as Detective Inspector Linda Calgetti (Gwynne McElveen) becomes involved, taking statements and forcing Dani to lie about her whereabouts during the team-building exercises.
The episode ends with a distraught Sienna (Joni Morris), a talented but troubled student, and Matt, who challenges Dani’s absence during the crucial moments when Zac disappeared.
The Teacher, Season 2, Episode 1 airs Monday, 9 September 2024, at 9:00 pm on Channel 5.