Hit Nottinghamshire drama Sherwood will return for series 3

"It continues to be the greatest privilege to tell stories set in and inspired by the history of my home county of Nottinghamshire." says writer, James Graham


by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

Popular BBC One crime show Sherwood has been commissioned for series 3, following the success of the previous instalments.

With over 6.5 million viewers tuning in to watch episode one of the latest series (inspired by the so-called ‘Shottingham’ gang wars that occurred in the community in which writer James Graham grew up in), the TV drama received high acclaim from viewers and critics alike.

And since the beginning of August alone, the first series of Sherwood has received over 7.2 million streams on BBC iPlayer and has become one of the BBC's most successful shows in recent years.

What will Sherwood series 3 be about?

According to Sherwood writer James Graham, we can expect "the continuation—and completion—of some (story) strands."

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “It continues to be the greatest privilege to tell stories set in and inspired by the history of my home county of Nottinghamshire. Having a returning series on the BBC is pretty much every British writer’s dream, and I’m incredibly grateful for the continued passion that Lindsay, Charlotte and Jo have for Sherwood - and to everyone at House Productions, the most supportive producers you can have. 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.”

Sherwood, Ian St Clair (David Morrissey) and Harry Summers (Michael Balogun) ©BBC/House Productions/Sam Taylor

Cast of Sherwood series 3

The show has attracted a high calibre of actors including Adheel Akhtar (Fool Me Once, Four Lions), Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt, Clair Rushbrook (Ali & Ava, Magpie Murders), Phillip Jackson from Poirot and Boomers, David Harewood (The Night Manager, Robin Hood), Perry Fitzpatrick (This is England, Without Sin), Robert Glenister (Black Cab, Hustle), Stephen Dillane (Kaos, The Tunnel, Game of Thrones) and Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Appropriate Adult star Monica Dolan.

Currently, there have been no casting announcements for Sherwood season 3, but some of the leading characters from previous runs may return, including David Morrisseyas detective turned Violence Intervention Team leader Ian St. Clair; Lorraine Ashbourne as Spy Cop turned crime family matriarch Daphne Sparrow and Lesley Manville as Julie Jackson, a widowed wife whose husband - former trade unionist - Gary Jackson was killed with a crossbow at the beginning of series one.

Sherwood, Daphne Sparrow (Lorraine Ashbourne) and Christine Bottomley (Rachel Crossley) ©BBC/House Productions/Sam Taylor

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and spending time with her pet dogs, tortoise and chickens.

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