The acclaimed BBC drama Sherwood, often hailed by fans as a "masterpiece" and "the best of British TV", is set to return for a third season. Creator James Graham has provided an exciting update, confirming that filming has concluded and teasing a brand-new storyline centred around a fresh family.
What to Expect in Season Three
Following the dramatic conclusion of season two, which saw the end of the long-running feud between the Branson and Sparrow families, the upcoming series will introduce viewers to the Wood family. According to Graham, the new season will "put a brand new family through a brand new trauma", promising gripping drama.
The writer shared his enthusiasm for the new cast, including Rosalie Craig and Joe Dempsie, who will lead as Zoe and Alex Wood. Graham noted that the actors come from a tradition of caring about socially and politically minded television drama, emphasising that the show is about understanding community and its pressures.
New Cast and Characters
Joining the series are Rosalie Craig (Riot Women), Joe Dempsie (Skins, Game of Thrones), Kirby Howell-Baptiste (The Sandman), Sue Johnston (The Royle Family), and Peter Wight (Another Year). Craig and Dempsie play Zoe and Alex Wood, while Johnston and Wight portray Zoe's parents, Irene and Eric Bostall. Howell-Baptiste takes on the role of DI Zara Gill, leading an investigation into human remains found in a reservoir.
Plot Details from the BBC
The BBC has revealed that the Wood family are portrayed as "the picture of working-class respectability"—pillars of the community and volunteers at the local church. However, their lives are upended when the body of Arthur Bostall, missing for 40 years, is discovered in Nottingham's ancient caves. This discovery forces the family to confront buried secrets from the past.
DI Zara Gill's operation to identify remains linked to the Bransons' criminal activities leads to the Bostall family, raising unsettling questions about who killed Arthur and why. As the Woods and Bostalls delve into history, present-day events conspire to uncover more hidden truths.
Fan and Critical Reception
Previous seasons of Sherwood have been met with widespread acclaim. Critics have labelled the show a "masterpiece", while fans describe it as "unmissable British drama" and "a British masterclass in drama". The series has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of community tensions, trauma from the 1980s miners' strikes, and gripping family feuds.
Season three promises to continue this tradition, exploring new dynamics while maintaining the socially conscious storytelling that has defined the series. Sherwood is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
