Notable stars join cast of ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’

MANILA, Philippines- “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is the continuing story of the film “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

The sequel adds Richard Gere, David Strathairn and Tamsin Greig to its cast, together with the returning actors Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Dev Patel, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle.

In “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” Muriel (Smith) has become co-manager with Sonny Kapoor (Patel) and the two of them will try to nail a deal with potential investors to open another hotel, looking forward to becoming a chain of hotels in India.

Sonny dreams of expanding the hotel into a chain and making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai).  He 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.

“The Second Best Marigold Hotel” opens March 18 in cinemas from 20th Century Fox.