Back in 2012, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel charmed audiences with its tale of a group of ageing Brits who decamp to India. The combined thespian star power of Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup led to an unexpected $136m at the global box office.
And now the characters are back for a sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which once again whisks us away to far-flung, Jasmine-scented India. All the principal characters are back and, as before, happily ensconced in their crumbling retirement home. But if you're struggling to remember who's who within the walls of the Exotic Marigold hotel, let us bring you up to speed...
Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench)
Cast your mind back to the first movie and you'll remember that Evelyn was recently widowed and needed to pay off her husband's debts. A retirement spent in India therefore proved the perfect option and despite being initially intimidated by the noise and traffic, she soon fell in love with the country. This time, philosophical Evelyn has joined the Jaipur workforce along with kindred spirit Douglas (Bill Nighy).
Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith)
Acid-tongued Muriel only came to India in the first movie to have a hip replacement. However, her bitter exterior was soon melted by the country's charms and she eventually decided to take up permanent residence in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. In fact, at the start of the second movie, she's co-manager with soon-to-be-married Sonny (Dev Patel). However, she's not totally lost her acerbic edge, as becomes evident in the trailer when she's talking to Evelyn.
Douglas Ainslie (Bill Nighy)
Cultured, sensitive Douglas was initially married to Jean (Penelope Wilton). However, they split at the end of the first movie when she failed to succumb to the magic of India. Douglas stayed and struck up a platonic relationship with Evelyn. He's now also her co-worker and, as before, continues to be won over by the breathtaking sights of the incredible country.
Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie)
There are many different reasons as to why the characters initially came to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. For Madge, it was simple: she'd had several unsuccessful marriages and was looking for a new man. And indeed, at the end of the first film, she eventually found one in the form of a handsome Indian businessman, although it wasn't clear whether it was going to last. Going by the trailer to the second film, Madge is on the prowl once again.
Jean Ainslie (Penelope Wilton)
Cynical Jean was never popular amidst the Exotic Marigold Hotel ensemble. She didn't want to come to India in the first place, but had to make a try of it when her husband Douglas' failed investment in their daughter's internet business necessitated a move to the other side of the world. She in fact returned to England at the end of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – but makes an unexpected appearance in the sequel.
Norman Cousins (Ronald Pickup)
Like Madge, over-the-hill lothario Norman believed he could rekindle his flagging sex life with a fresh start in India. Amazingly, the tactic paid off – at the start of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, he's in a healthy relationship with Carol (Diana Hardcastle).
And finally...
Guy Chambers (Richard Gere)
A new face in the sequel, suave silver fox Guy is the latest arrival at the hotel. It's not long before he sets hearts aflutter, notably Madge's, who may have finally found the man she's looking for...
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is released on 27th February 2015.
