The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will be released in late February.

John Madden has returned to helm the follow-up feature to the 2012 international smash hit from an original screenplay by Ol Parker, from a story by Parker and Madden.

The renowned cast has reunited for the film including stars Judi Dench (Evelyn), Maggie Smith (Muriel), Bill Nighy (Douglas), Dev Patel (Sonny), Penelope Wilton (Jean), Celia Imrie (Madge), Ronald Pickup (Norman), Tina Desai (Sunaina), Diana Hardcastle (Carol), Lillete Dubey (Mrs. Kapoor). Additional cast making their debut include Tamsin Greig, with David Strathairn and Richard Gere. Produced by Blueprint Pictures’ Graham Broadbent and Peter Czernin, with Participant's Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King, John Madden, Michael Dryer serving as executive producers.

The film sees the expansionist dreams of Sonny (Dev Patel) making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai).

Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful’, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig).

Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone's secrets.

As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.