Having entertained millions around the world with its charm, romance, risqué storylines and irreverent humour, audiences will be taken on one last journey to the picturesque coastal resort inhabited by the beloved characters that audiences have come to know and love.
Television audiences devoured the sumptuous drama series inspired by Jane Austen’s final, unfinished novel. On Masterpiece in the US, series three was the #3 programme of the whole season, with 4.8 million viewers tuning in. The fan favourite was streamed over 4.1 million times across March 19 to May 13, 2023, rising 10% from series two. Series one to three have been sold globally to over 190 territories including Japan, Norway, Brazil, Australia, Spain and Israel.
Rose Williams who plays Sanditon’s beloved heroine Charlotte Heywood, says: “I’m thrilled that our third and final chapter has reached UK shores. I’m excited for audiences to meet the brilliant new characters of season 3, and to see how all Sanditon’s original inhabitants’ adventures conclude. It’s been a true gift to play Charlotte Heywood.”
The final series features brand new characters set to bring drama, romance, laughter and scandal. Shaking up the sunny seaside town is Lady Montrose played by Emma Fielding, (Van der Valk), the quintessential Austen mother who arrives in Sanditon with one objective: matches for her children, Lydia and Henry. Lydia (Alice Orr-Ewing, Andor, A Very English Scandal) is an independent young woman who is not as eager for a match as her mother, and Lord Henry Montrose (Edward Davis, Emma) is charismatic and confident, but he holds a secret. Rowleigh Pryce, played by James Bolam (New Tricks) is a wealthy, curmudgeonly investor who teams up with Tom Parker (Kris Marshall) on the town’s expansion, but their plans become complicated when Rowleigh runs into the formidable Lady Denham (Anne Reid). Also new to Sanditon is Alexander’s brother, Samuel Colbourne (Liam Garrigan, Cobra, Small Axe) – a lawyer, and a charming bachelor who makes a lasting impression on the returning Lady Susan (Sophie Winkleman).
Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) returns to Sanditon with her fiancé in tow but is forced to come to terms with her unresolved feelings for Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes). He, devastated, tries to move on and open his heart to another. But as they keep getting drawn together, can they keep on ignoring their feelings? Meanwhile, Georgiana (Crystal Clarke) is horrified to discover a claim on her newfound inheritance. With the help of Samuel Colbourne, she battles in court to keep what is hers. Elsewhere, Edward (Jack Fox) has promised Lady Denham he is truly reformed, but will Augusta Markham’s fortune be too an irresistible a proposition?
With weddings and failed engagements, will the Sanditon residents all find true love and happiness after all?
Inspired by Jane Austen’s original 11-chapter fragment, the show was adapted and created by Emmy award winning screenwriter Andrew Davies and produced by Red Planet Pictures. The series took on its own direction and writer Justin Young took the helm as lead writer and executive producer for series 2 and 3.
Executive Producer for Red Planet Pictures Belinda Campbell says, “I can’t wait for our amazing UK audience to see how Charlotte and Sanditon’s other beloved characters stories end. Packed full of romance, joy, laughter and love, it’s fantastic that audiences will be able to view the entire 3 seasons on ITVX. Whilst Austen only left a fragment of text, Andrew Davies’ inspired adaptation and Justin Young’s wonderful continuation, along with the incredible work of all our cast and crew, have created another iconic love story for the ages.”
Sanditon, Series 3 is a co-production of Red Planet Pictures, MASTERPIECE and ITV in association with PBS Distribution. Sanditon 3 has been commissioned for ITVX by ITV's Head of Drama, Polly Hill. Justin Young (Death in Paradise) is lead writer and executive producer. Joe Ainsworth, Andrea Gibb, Robin French, Colin Bytheway, Jo Spain also wrote on the final series. Andrew Davies, who originally created the drama, executive produced the third series. The series producer is Rebecca Hedderly (Casualty), the producers are Ian Hogan (Black Mirror) and Amy Rodriguez (Harlots) and directed by Jennie Paddon (Death in Paradise) and Steve Brett (Death in Paradise, Holby City). Executive producers are Belinda Campbell and Tim Key for Red Planet Pictures and Susanne Simpson for MASTERPIECE. BBC Studios are the international distributors of all three series. PBS Distribution is the distributor of all three series in the US and Canada.
All episodes of Series 3 and the full boxset Series 1-3 available on ITVX from 17th August 2023.