Fifty Shades Darker trailer: Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in steamy sequel

The film marks the second of the Fifty Shades trilogy - following last year's blockbuster hit Fifty Shades of Grey

The literary and cinematic phenomenon responsible for catapulting into the stratosphere Google searches for the term "BDSM" has returned in full force.

Following Fifty Shades of Grey's mammoth $571 million taking at the box office last year, making it the fastest-selling 18 certificate film of all time, the franchise returns to screens with Fifty Shades Darker; the first of two sequels filmed back-to-back, under the guidance of director James Foley.

Returning to the works of author E.L. James, Darker continues the misadventures of college student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), caught up in the covert sexual shenanigans of hunky business tycoon Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), a man described both as a romantic hero and an abusive creep - depending on who you're talking to.

Of course, Fifty Shades of Grey abruptly ended with Anastasia leaving Christian after realising the pair are simply incompatible, though it's a separation unlikely to last; the sequel picking up with Christian's attempts to entice Ana back into his life, which she accepts under a new arrangement of her choosing.

However, their temporary bliss is interrupted by the return of shadowy figures from Christian's past; promising plenty of steamy drama, with the final film in the trilogy Fifty Shades Freed pitched for a 2018 release.

Fifty Shades Darker hits UK cinemas 10 February 2017.