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Ahead of its premiere on PBS, the channel recently dropped a sneak peek of Hotel Portofino season 2. Lasting 1:29 minutes, the clip was exclusively shared with Parade. The short clip gave fans a glimpse into the premiere episode of the upcoming season titled Returns.
The title and the preview hint at the return of a few characters, who are set to cause trouble for Bella Ainsworth and the people associated with her.
Helmed by Adam Wimpenny and penned by creator Matt Baker, Returns will release on PBS on Sunday, October 15 at 8 pm ET and 7 pm CT.
Hotel Portofino season 2 will contain several turbulent love arcs
The sneak peek of Hotel Portofino season 2 episode 1 begins by establishing the endearing nature of Bella Ainsworth (Natascha McElhone), who is loved by everyone around her. As her character enters the hotel, which she and her family own and operate, her assistant manager Constance March informs her about a certain call.
As Bella and Constance discuss the same, the former tells her that Lucian Ainsworth (Oliver Dench) is expected to arrive and that preparations should be made to welcome him. Constance looks taken aback after learning about Bella's son but says that she would be delighted to welcome him and his wife, Rose Drummond-Ward (Claude Scott-Mitchell).
Bella, seemingly unfazed, corrects her and says that he is coming alone, which makes Constance all the more nervous. This is because Lucian was captivated by her ever since she was hired to be a nursemaid to his widowed sister's daughter. However, his father Cecil Ainsworth (Mark Umbers) arranged for him to get married to Rose and the alliance has been rather insipid, given the latter's naivety.
Constance, who is now promoted to assistant manager, will be in a pickle since Lucian will try to woo her in Hotel Portofino season 2. Baker also recently told TV Insider that Rose pays him a surprise visit while he is on his trip.
“Constance has decisions to make about her young son back home in England, and Rose decides to surprise her husband in Italy! The consequences for all three ends in rather dramatic fashion,” he said.
The official synopsis of season 2 episode 1 titled Returns reads:
“Bella’s plans to build a spa in the basement are running over budget while she deals with an unexpected and unwelcome return from someone closer to home. Meanwhile, the hotel is facing an anonymous inspection from an influential travel guide.”
In his conversation with the portal, Baker also stated that in Hotel Portofino season 2, Bella may get herself a "chaste" romantic interest. She is stuck in a loveless marriage with Cecil, who is currently in London after hitting her in the last season. He said that the upcoming season will deal with the "possibility of life and relationships for Bella after Cecil."
Season 2 will also follow Lucian's sister, Alice (Olivia Morris), as she returns from her glitzy San Tropez stay with a new fiancé (Roby Schinasi) in tow. The only problem here is he pretends "to be a Swiss Italian from a very rich family," Baker states. The show will also see Count Albani (Daniele Pecci) nursing his broken heart after this.
Hotel Portofino season 2, which is set to release on PBS on Sunday, October 15 at 8 pm ET and 7 pm CT, promises to be an engaging watch.
