ITV has confirmed that the hit Greater Manchester crime drama After the Flood will not be returning for a third season. The show, which featured stars from Peaky Blinders and Coronation Street, aired its second series in January after a two-year hiatus.
Series Background and Cast
Premiering at the beginning of 2024, After the Flood became one of ITV's best-reviewed programmes in recent years. It starred Sophie Rundle as a police officer investigating the death of an unidentified man after a flash flood hits a small English town. The second season, which aired in January, saw Jill Halfpenny, known for her work on Corrie and EastEnders, join as DS Sam Bradley.
The synopsis for the second series reads: "Jo's race to stop the killer brings her into direct conflict with powerful and influential forces within the town, ultimately drawing her into an investigation that becomes deeply personal. One that will require her to operate in secret if she is to have any hope of rooting out the corruption that has blighted the town's police force - and her own family - for decades."
Filming Locations and Production
The drama, created by Manchester's Quay Street Productions, used locations across the North West, including Wythenshawe, Royton, Saddleworth, Rochdale, Heywood, and in Glossop and Old Glossop in Derbyshire. Executive Producer Nicola Shindler praised the setting: "The location is a beautiful character to the story because it looks so good, it’s pretty, but at the same time, this is a place where a lot of flooding is happening and where other communities are suffering. Locating it in places where real-life events are happening makes it feel more authentic."
Ending and Cancellation
The second season's ending saw the villain Phil Mackie (Nicholas Gleaves) brought to justice after killing Jo's husband Pat (Matt Stokoe). Despite expectations of more mysteries, ITV confirmed the show will not return. An ITV spokesperson said: "We’re very proud of After The Flood and what the drama achieved across two series. Commissioning decisions involve many factors and while there are no plans for a third series, we’re very grateful to everyone who supported the drama. We’d like to extend our thanks to Mick Ford, Azhur Saleem, the actors and the team at Quay Street Productions for producing two brilliant series."
