'Sanditon' Returns for a Final Season! Here's What We Know So Far, Including Premiere Date and New Trailer!
Here's everything we know so far about the series based on Jane Austen's unfinished novel, 'Sanditon'.
The Sanditon season 2 finale may have come too quickly for SandiFans, but we've got great news. Sanditon is coming back for season 3. The next season won't premiere until March 2023 but that will just give fans plenty of time to debate whether Charlotte (Rose Williams) will ever find true love—with Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) or someone else. How many more seasons of Sanditon will there be? Here's what we know so far about Sanditon season 3 and beyond.
What is Sanditon?
Sanditon is MASTERPIECE’s bold and lavish adaptation of Jane Austen’s final work.
Austen fans are likely quite familiar with Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Pride and Prejudice, but many may not know Sanditon, which takes place in a seaside town of the same name.
Austen, who was chronically ill when she started her untitled novel in January 1817, wrote her final lines on March 18, 1817. She died exactly four months later.
Is Sanditon based on a book?
Sanditon is based on an unfinished novel from Jane Austen.
How much of Sanditon did Jane Austen write?
Austen wrote 11 chapters of Sanditon before she died in 1817. In those chapters, we find Tom Parker (Kris Marshall) obsessed with turning the sleepy Sanditon into a fashionable health resort. He calls upon Lady Denham (Anne Reid) to back his project. Through a mishap, Tom meets the Heywoods and invites their eldest daughter, Charlotte, for an extended stay at Sanditon.
Once there, Charlotte finds Lady Denham playing matchmaker for her destitute nephew, Sir Edward (Jack Fox), who is determined to seduce Lady Denham’s ward, Clara (Lily Sacofsky). The arrival of wealthy heiress Miss Lambe (Crystal Clarke), under Sidney’s (Theo James) guardianship, adds an interesting complication to the town’s goings-on. Eligible men naturally flock to Miss Lambe while Charlotte is intrigued by Sidney.
Related: 6 Things You Didn't Know About Jane Austen
Screenwriter Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, Middlemarch, House of Cards) has taken Austen’s unfinished work in a cheeky and satisfying direction. Davies serves as an executive producer on the new seasons and has written several episodes. Justin Young, who wrote the first four episodes of the first season, also serves as an executive producer and lead writer.
When will season 3 of Sanditon premiere?
PBS announced that the final season of Sanditon will premiere on Sunday, March 19 at 9 p.m. ET with episodes dropping weekly. Season 3 of Sanditon will also be available to stream on PBS.org, PBS Passport, or the PBS MASTERPIECE Prime Video Channel.
Who created Sanditon?
Andrew Davies created the series based on the writings of Jane Austen and wrote multiple episodes in seasons 1 and 2. Davies also created and produced the PBS series Les Miserables, the original U.K. version of House of Cards and Mr. Selfridge. He's a prolific writer known for adapting novels for TV and film. He has written or collaborated on writing the feature films Bridget Jones’ Diary, Brideshead Revisited and The Tailor of Panama and TV series Bleak House, Sense & Sensibility and Middlemarch.
What happened in season 1 of Sanditon?
A chance accident brings Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) to Sanditon, a seaside resort on the cusp of dramatic change. Charlotte initially wants to experience everything the town has to offer but is then shocked by its scheming and ambitious inhabitants. When Charlotte is tactlessly forthright about the family of enthusiastic entrepreneur Tom Parker (Kris Marshall), she immediately clashes with his handsome but wild younger brother Sidney (Theo James).
Related: A Return to Love and Lust! Everything You Need To Know About Sanditon Season 2!
What happened in season 2 of Sanditon?
SPOILERS AHEAD! If you have not watched season 2, stop reading.
Sanditon season 2 picks up nine months after the season 1 finale, as the town is growing in popularity.
At the behest of Mary Parker (Kate Ashfield), Charlotte returns to the beautiful seaside resort and brings her sister, Alison (Rosie Graham), along. Charlotte soon attracts the attention of not one, but two new men, Colonel Lennox (Tom Weston-Jones) and the reclusive Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes).
In her last summer before turning 21, Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke) begins to fall for the eccentric artist, Charles Lockhart (Alexander Vlahos) only to learn he was the relative of her father who sought to turn her inheritance over to the Antiguan courts. After he lost the case, Lockhart set out to gain access to Georgiana's inheritance another way, by wooing her and marrying into the inheritance he believes should be his.
Charlotte takes on a job as a governess to the daughter and niece of Colbourne. As she spends time with her two charges, Augusta Markham (Eloise Webb) and Leonora Colbourne (Flora Mitchell), she begins to see her boss in a different light and Colbourne starts to come out of his shell around her. Colbourne and Lennox have a years-long rivalry stemming from the death of Colbourne's wife.
After a miscarriage, Esther Denham Babington (Charlotte Spencer) journeys to Sanditon without her husband, Lord Babington (Mark Stanley, who was unavailable for season 2). Looking for a miracle tincture to cure whatever ails her, Esther becomes more depressed when a pregnant Clara shows up at the Denham's doorstep. When Edward learns that the child is his, he concocts a plan that will make Esther appear crazy while he pretends to be courageous and a gentleman to his aunt, Lady Denham.
The Army arrives to make Sanditon their new base and with them bring potential new romances, friendships and challenges for the residents. Alison becomes enamored with Captain William Carter (Maxim Ays), who woos her with fake tales of heroism. When Alison learns of the deceit, she sees Captain Declan Fraser (Frank Blake), the legitimately heroic captain in a new light. The two marry at the end of season 2.
During the wedding celebrations, the Parkers and Georgiana are shocked when Charlotte introduces her fiancé, Ralph Starling (Cai Brigden), a local farmer in her hometown of Willingdon.
What happened to Sidney Parker (Theo James)?
When Theo James decided not to reprise his role as Sidney Parker when PBS and BritBox picked up second and third seasons of Sandition, producers decided to write the character off with some finality. In the opening episode of Sanditon season 2, we quickly learn that Sidney is dead as a coffin with his name on it is lowered into the ground. The mystery surrounding his death and why he was in Antigua when he died unfolds throughout season 2.
James has since gone on to star in several series - The Time Traveler's Wife, The White Lotus, and the upcoming The Gentlemen
What will happen in season 3 of Sanditon?
In an interview with Masterpiece, Rose William teased, "We see characters meeting with their own unique challenges and really having to dig into deep parts of themselves to find resolve. I hope they come together at the end and maybe even they get their happily ever after, like we always wanted them to—an Austen ending, like it’s tied in a bow."
When asked about season 3 of Sanditon, Ben Lloyd-Hughes told Masterpiece, "I think season 3 will bring even more excitement, romance, fun, and tears in both forms. I think one thing for sure is that this is not the end of the story. We know that, 100%, and that is really exciting."
We do know that Georgiana is coming up to her 21st birthday. With it comes her full inheritance and a grand party. Will this be the reason for Charlotte's return to Sanditon? Will she return as an engaged woman or a married one? If she returns unwed, will she be able to reconcile with Alexander Colbourne or will there be another suitor on the horizon?
As Georgina turns 21, will she be able to find a man who loves her more than her money? Will Arthur get to build his royal theatre in Sanditon?
By the time we return to Sanditon, Augusta will be of age. As she attends parties and gatherings so that she can be introduced to possible suitors, August will find herself falling for a questionable admirerer? Will Leonora get a new governess (or perhaps an old one)?
Tom will likely get himself in another sticky situation or have some scheme to bring more money and people to Sanditon. He courts potential investors, including Rowleigh Pryce (James Bolam), a crusty financier who shares an interesting past with Lady Denham!
Lady Denham will be putting the screws to Edward after he lost his commission with the army and had to return with his tail between his legs, begging for another chance. Her special brand of torture will be fun to watch. Will Edward finally find the error of his ways? Or will this leopard never change his spots?
New characters will be introduced including the financially distressed Lady Montrose (Emma Fielding) who arrives in Sanditon with her two grown children, Lydia (Alice Orr-Ewing) and Lord Henry Montrose (Edward Davis), hoping to marry them both off to suitable (and wealthy) men and women.
We'll also get to know Alexander's older brother, Samuel (Liam Garrigan), a London barrister whose legal help is crucial to help a friend in need. An eligible bachelor himself, Samuel gets caught up in the Sanditon marriage market. Intrigued by this former sleepy village which has become a place of hidden passions, he eyes a new female acquaintance and muses, “There are so many interesting things going on in Sanditon that require careful observation.”
Are there any sneak peeks from season 3 of Sanditon?
Check out these teaser images from season 3 of Sanditon and the latest teaser trailer. Also take a look as the cast reveals what viewers can expect in the final season of Sanditon.
How many episodes are there of Sanditon?
Sanditon season 1 consisted of 8 episodes. Season 2 consisted of 6 episodes. We have confirmed with PBS that season 3 will have 6 episodes, not the 8-10 that had been rumored online. The three seasons of Sanditon will total 20 episodes.
Who's in the Sanditon cast?
Rose Williams (Charlotte Heywood)
Crystal Clarke (Georgiana Lambe)
Kris Marshall (Tom Parker)
Kate Ashfield (Mary Parker)
Anne Reid (Lady Denham)
Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Alexander Colbourne)
Turlough Convery (Arthur Parker)
Jack Fox (Edward Denham)
Sophie Winkleman (Lady Susan)
Alexander Vlahos (Charles Lockhart)
Flora Mitchell (Leonora Colbourne)
Eloise Webb (Augusta Markham)
What new characters will we see in season 3 of Sanditon?
Ralph Starling (Cal Brigden)
We were introduced to Ralph Starling at the end of season 2. He is the local farmer from Charlotte's hometown. In the season 2 finale, we learn that Ralph is Charlotte's fiance!
Lady Montrose (Emma Fielding)
The quintessential Austen mother, Lady Montrose comes to Sanditon with one goal in mind - make prosperous matches for her children, Henry and Lydia.
Lord Henry Montrose (Edward Davis)
Lord Montrose is charismatic and confident, but underneath that charm is a secret. He's a likely suitor for Georgiana, but will he be a good and honest match for her or is he only after her fortune? We'll have to tune in to find out!
Lydia Montrose (Alice Orr-Ewing)
Lydia is an independent young woman who is less than enthusiastic about making a match.
Rowleigh Pryce (James Bolam)
Pryce is a wealthy, curmudgeonly investor who is interested in teaming up with Tom Parker on the seaside resort’s expansion. Their plans become complicated when Rowleigh runs into LadyDenham. Is Rowleigh a former paramour of Lady Denham?
Samuel Colbourne (Liam Garrigan)
Samuel is Alexander's brother, a lawyer and charming bachelor. Will he also find love in Sanditon?
What characters will not be returning in season 3 of Sanditon?
With the final season, fans will see new faces arrive in our favorite seaside town. Several fan favorite characters will not be in season 3 as their story arcs wrapped in the previous season. Unfortunately, we won't see any more of Clara Brereton (Lily Sacofsky), Lady Esther Denham Babington (Charlotte Spencer), the newlywed Captain Declan Fraser (Frank Blake) and his bride Alison Heywood (Rosie Graham), Colonel Francis Lennox (Tom Weston-Jones), or Captain William Carter (Maxim Ays).
When was Sanditon season 3 filmed?
Seasons 2 and 3 were filmed in succession and the production has wrapped filming already.
Will there be a season 4 of Sanditon?
Sadly, no. Fans were so desperate for the show to continue after the first season that PBS and Britbox picked up two more seasons. Unfortunately, we learned in June 2022 that season 3 would be the series' last.
What channel is Sanditon on?
Sanditon airs on PBS.
How can I stream Sanditon?
You can catch up on seasons 1 and 2 of Sanditon on PBS.org, PBS Passport (subscriptions start as low as $5/month) or via the PBS MASTERPIECE Prime Video Channel. You can also purchase episodes or entire seasons on Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube and Google Play.
Is there a trailer for season 3 of Sanditon?
Masterpiece dropped a teaser immediately following the season 2 finale of Sanditon as well as a teaser trailer since.
Check them out below.
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