Sanditon Will Return for a Third and Final Season
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Masterpiece PBS's series Sanditon finally returned to our screens in 2022, following an extended hiatus and an almost-cancellation. Based on an unfinished novel by Jane Austen, the show struggled to find an audience at first, and was initially not renewed after its first season by its British broadcaster, ITV. But Sanditon found a new lease of life across the pond, gathering such a passionate U.S. fanbase that PBS announced a surprise renewal in May of 2021.
After that long, rocky roady to the small screen, season two wrapped up its run with a finale that left legions of fans shocked. After the loss of Theo James's Sidney Parker, the new season found Charlotte in another love triangle, this time with Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes), and Colonel Lennox (Tom Weston-Jones). But the finale ended on a twist, as Charlotte announced her engagement to an entirely new man, setting up plenty of romantic conflict for the new season.
Here's what we know so far about season three.
Sanditon season 3 has already been filmed.
Yes, you read that correctly. Sanditon fans won't have to spend yet another hiatus agonizing over the show's fate—season 3 is not only confirmed, but filming has already wrapped.
Back when PBS saved Sanditon last year, they renewed it for seasons 2 and 3 at the same time. Per Newsweek, the two seasons were shot back to back between July and December of 2021.
Season 3 won't premiere until 2023.
Though it'll be a much less long and painful wait than last time, Sanditon fans will still have to be a little patient, since the new season won't premiere until March 19, 2023.
It will be the show's final season.
In December 2022, Masterpiece PBS confirmed the news with a statement.
"Masterpiece has announced that the upcoming third season of Sanditon, the show that ignited a passionate fanbase and was described by the press as 'lush and fun' and 'perfect escapist fare' will be its final season."
Executive Producer for Red Planet Pictures Belinda Campbell added, “It’s a thrill to be bringing Sanditon back to audiences for one more trip to the seaside.This third and final season is full of the heart and joyful spirit that viewers will connect with. Our dedicated fans have been absolutely amazing in their support of the show, and we hope they’ll enjoy the conclusion of Charlotte and Georgiana’s stories.”
Charlotte and Colbourne's romance will still be a major part of the show.
Shippers, don't despair! Though showrunner Justin Young admitted in an interview with Salon that Charlotte's engagement is a "huge obstacle," her relationship with Colbourne is very much still in play. "He'll be slightly reset when we meet him again at the top of Season 3," Young said of Colbourne.
In another interview with Decider, Young also confirmed that the two are still deeply in love with each other. "That’s the question going into Season 3: She loves Colbourne. He loves her. We know that. But now she’s engaged to Ralph and how is that going to play out?”
For clues about what's going to happen in season 3, rewatch the season 2 premiere.
During a panel at the Television Critics Association press tour, Young also offered an enigmatic hint about what to expect from Charlotte in season 3. Specifically, he said "there are elements in the Episode 1 of Season 2 that pay off in the final episode of Season 3." And in his Salon interview, Young clarified that he was talking specifically about Charlotte's arc.
"Think about where we find her in that opening moments of Season 2," Young said. "We find a young woman who's trying to move on. She's trying to be who her family needs her to be and then she's pulled back into Sanditon. That is what these these two seasons are about. Everything she says to Colbourne in that scene at the end of that first episode about what she thinks a young woman should be with that independence of spirit, that conversation is absolutely key to Charlotte's journey across these two seasons." He added that in a year's time, fans will be able to look back and see the connective tissue from Charlotte's position in the season 2 premiere, through to the season 3 finale. Intriguing!
Some cast members won't be returning.
Since the seasons were filmed back to back, it's safe to assume that most of your favorites will be back for season 3. But it has been confirmed that a couple of key players won't be returning—including Colonel Lennox, and perhaps more surprisingly Esther Babbington (Charlotte Spencer).
"I think Esther, where we leave her at the end of Season 2, I think she’s got everything she’s ever wanted," Young told Decider. "She’s happy, married, and now she has a child that she adores so I think that’s the end of Esther’s story as far as I’m concerned.”
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