A number of genre stalwarts are headed to season two of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, teasing the danger and supernatural forces that will be at the heart of the show's next big mystery. Based on the series of novels by Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe), Dirk Gently was one of last year's most highly anticipated new series. Aside from the excitement of the books being adapted, the presence of Max Landis (Chronicle) as the series writer and producer spoke to the quality of the upcoming show. To sweeten the deal, Elijah Wood was cast as Todd, the assistant to Dirk (Samuel Barnett).

Sure enough, when Dirk Gently premiered on BBC America last fall, the series was everything fans could have hoped it would be when the first trailer teased the show. Bringing new life to the best aspects of the books, the show was quickly given a second season order. In the end, it was one of our favorite shows of 2016, and looked ready to have a long future on TV. Now, ahead of the premiere of the next season later this year, we've got word of who some of the guest stars will be for the new mystery.

BBC America have released descriptions for some of the big, new characters Dirk and Todd will encounter in their investigations this coming season, and the list features a number of genre TV and film alums.

  • John Hannah will play THE MAGE; an evil wizard who is a sociopathic nihilist intent on destroying two worlds.
  • Alan Tudyk will play MR. PRIEST; a ruthless, dangerous, and violent bounty hunter working for Blackwing.
  • Aleks Paunovic will play WYGAR OAK; a dominating enforcer for the Dengdamor royal family.
  • Amanda Walsh will play SUZIE BORETON; an unassuming, insecure, depressed soccer mom who slowly transforms herself into a sleek evil sorceress, as beautiful and as seductive as she is vicious and deranged.
John Hannah, Alan Tudyk, Aleks Paunovic, and Amanada Walsh

Hannah has had a long career, but will be well-known to MCU fans as the sympathetic villain Dr. Radcliffe from the past two season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tudyk, meanwhile has been working on genre shows and films for years, from Firefly to last year's Rogue One. He also stars in NBC's Powerless, but with its cancellation, his schedule is a little more open.

Paunovic has been on Supernatural and Continuum and can next be seen in War for the Planet of the Apes, while Walsh has appeared in a number of shows and films, from Smallville to Disturbia. Given the nature of the series, these four will hardly be the only guest stars to pop up this season, though they'll likely be the most recognizable faces and names.

There's no word yet on when Dirk Gently season two will premiere, but it will once again feature 10 episodes and air on BBC America at home and Netflix abroad. With the casting announcement, however, it's safe to assume that more concrete news and a trailer will be on the way.

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency will premiere on BBC America later this year.

Source: BBC America