Initially envisioned as a standalone miniseries, Sherwood captivated audiences to such an extent that the BBC greenlit a second season. With the full premiere of Season 2 now behind us in the U.K. and its upcoming availability on BritBox globally, anticipation builds for the future of this acclaimed anthology series.
Will There Be a Season 3 of Sherwood?
Indeed, Sherwood is set to return for a third season. In a noteworthy move, the show was renewed prior to the U.S. debut of Season 2, a clear indication that the impressive viewership numbers from both Seasons 1 and 2 bolstered its continuation. This hit crime drama, penned by James Graham, has proven irresistible to fans.
Given that there was a two-year gap between the premieres of the first and second seasons, fans can likely expect Season 3 to launch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer sometime in the summer of 2026. However, this timeline remains speculative and could be influenced by various factors.
Upon the announcement of the third season’s renewal, Graham shared with the BBC:
“It continues to be the greatest privilege to tell stories set in and inspired by the history of my home county of Nottinghamshire. My biggest appreciation though goes to our audiences and I’m determined to deliver for them in a series three, which will be a new set of stories, and the continuation—and completion—of some strands I’ve been dreaming of for some time.”
Season 1 drew inspiration from real-life events surrounding a rogue murderer who terrorized Nottingham in the early 2000s, alongside the coal miners’ strikes of the 1980s. In contrast, Season 2 pivots to a modern narrative, reflecting on the gang violence that afflicted the region around 2014. The question arises—what themes will Season 3 explore?
In light of recent significant political upheaval in the U.K., particularly the landslide victory of Labour over the Conservatives in the 2024 General Election, the tone and direction of the upcoming season may shift. In a recent interview reported by RadioTimes.com, David Morrissey, the show’s lead, expressed interest in exploring the implications of the new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer:
“I think it would be interesting for James [Graham] to explore what is happening under a Labour government. How things are attempting to change as opposed to how things are changing. I think [Prime Minister] Starmer has a tightrope that he needs to walk in the next two or three years so it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out in people’s lives.”
Morrissey also hopes to further develop his character Ian’s relationship with Julie, played by Lesley Manville. Their dynamic delivered emotional depth in Season 2, and fans are eager to see its evolution.
While there remains considerable anticipation for Season 3, it may take some time before viewers can uncover the latest developments in the world of Sherwood.
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