HBO are not renewing Gentleman Jack for a third series.
Thanks to news broken by Deadline, we’ve learned that the future of Gentlemen Jack is in doubt.
While the popular drama airs on BBC One, it’s a co-production with HBO who have decided not to proceed with a third series.
Set in the 1830s and dramatizing events drawn from her diaries, Gentleman Jack tells the compelling story of Anne Lister; defying gender expectations, Lister was a remarkable landowner and industrialist.
Onscreen, the character is brought to entertaining fourth-wall breaking life by Suranne Jones (Vigil) with her lover Ann Walker played by Sophie Rundle. The pair are surrounded by a cast which includes Peter Davison, Katharine Kelly, Lydia Leonard, Timothy West and Gemma Whelan.
The show has enjoyed two series so far – the first aired in 2019, while the pandemic delayed the second until this year. In the UK the first series garnered plenty of acclaim – winning the RTS Award for Best Drama Series.
However, the American broadcaster said:
“HBO will not be moving forward with a third season of Gentleman Jack. When we began this journey more than five years ago, we knew the series’ creator Sally Wainwright had a uniquely compelling vision, and it’s been tremendously gratifying to see how Anne Lister’s journey has resonated with viewers. We are incredibly grateful to Sally, to the impeccable Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle, and to the entire cast and crew for bringing Anne and Ann’s story to life. We’d also like to thank our partners at BBC and Lookout Point for their collaboration on two remarkable seasons.”
Cast reactions
Since the announcement, both of Gentleman Jack‘s stars have taken to Instagram to share their thoughts about the show. Suranne Jones considers the show’s impact and the fact that its real-life figures are now celebrated.
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Meanwhile Sophie Rundle, who’s currently filming her new show The Diplomat in Barcelona, celebrates the “incredible team” who brought the story to the screen.
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It’s worth pointing out that the BBC and independent producer Lookout Point may find another co-producer. We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for Gentleman Jack and, naturally, we’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, you can relive the story so far on BBC iPlayer.