‘Sanditon’: Who Should Be Charlotte’s Next Love? (POLL)
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Season 2, Episode 1 of Sanditon, “The Guitar Man.”]
Sanditon is back and setting up potential new romances in its long-awaited second season.
In the premiere episode’s opening moments, though, the fate of Theo James‘ Sidney Parker was revealed, as viewers watched his coffin being lowered into the grounds of Antigua where he succumbed to yellow fever during a business trip there. Needless to say, if Charlotte was heartbroken at the end of Season 1, she was utterly distraught when she learned of her lost love’s death.
Invited to revisit Sanditon with her younger sister Alison (Rosie Graham) in tow, Charlotte reunited with the Parkers and pal Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke) who is in need of some company as her new guardians struggle to control her. But still lovelorn over the deceased Sidney, Charlotte sets her sights on securing a new job, unlike her sister who is more than ready to find a husband among the stationed red coats.
(Credit: Courtesy of Joss Barratt © Red Planet)
Throughout the episode, Charlotte encounters a few possible suitors, even if she’s determined to not let love back in. The biggest question, is who will that love be? One of the first men that Charlotte encounters with Alison and the Parkers is resident artist Charles Lockhart (Alexander Vlahos).
While she certainly seems intrigued by him as an individual, it appears that this new character could be a match made in heaven (or contention) for Georgiana as they try to sum each other up based on first impressions. Instead, it appears that Sidney and Sanditon’s now-absent architect Stringer (Leo Suter) are being replaced by unfriendly widow Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) and red coat, Colonel Lennox (Tom Weston-Jones).
Hired to care for his young daughter and cynical niece, Charlotte shares some heated moments with Colbourne that would bring to mind some of the earlier interactions between her and Sidney, but will the show take that direction again? Colonel Lennox is a little more self-assured and confident on the surface, and although a gentleman to Charlotte, it seems that there could be trouble for him on the horizon.
Towards the end of the episode, it’s revealed that he’s left money bets in the hands of Edward Denham (Jack Fox), one of Sanditon’s least reliable characters. Does that automatically make Alexander Colbourne the top option for Charlotte’s potential romance this season? Or should she hold out hope for something else? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section and reader poll, below.
Sanditon, Sundays, 9/8c, PBS (Check your local listings)
Rose Williams
Anne Reid
Kris Marshall
Kate Ashfield
Jack Fox
Charlotte Spencer
Crystal Clarke
Lily Sacofsky
Turlough Convery
Alexandra Roach
Mark Stanley
Matthew Needham
Elizabeth Berrington
Kayleigh-Paige Rees
Adrian Rawlins
Sarah Belcher
Mollie Holder
Tom Weston-Jones
Frank Blake
Maxim Ays
Eloise Webb
Flora Mitchell
Ben Lloyd-Hughes
Alexander Vlahos
Rosie Graham
⨁Full Cast & Crew
Conversation39 Comments
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In my opinion Alexander Colbourne is the man for Charlotte. Ben Lloyd-Hughes gives great performance, he moves well ,and his face expressions are full of emotions.
96 5
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O
It's going to be Colbourne, when he has got his act together and realised what he's lost. They're a great match but both need to work on themselves a bit more, but especially him.
And a reminder for those at the back, Sidney is dead. And no amount of bile or nastiness will resurrect him.
86 5
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Alexander Colbourne will be Charlotte's beloved husband at the end of season 3.
Sidney Parker is dead and buried but I'm sure he will bless their happiness from Heaven.
83 7
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Let Charlotte make her own choice and that is Colbourne.. watched season 2 and there is no other conclusion ❤️❤️
83 7
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B
ALEXANDER COLBOURNE. Period!!!!
78 6
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G
Definitely Alexander Colbourne! Sidney is dead & was married to someone else.
77 6
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P
Colbourne FTW 🙌🏻
76 6
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G
Alexander Colbourne is Charlotte’s first love.
72 6
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O
Ben Lloyd-Hughes is absolutely wonderful in his performance as Colbourne. It was a great casting decision as he's far more interesting in personality with more depth. He's not reactionary like Sidney, shouting at her repeatedly, demeaning her. This character listens, is respectful, has integrity, doesn't drink, smoke, punch people out, be violent, or visit brothels. He's protective of Charlotte . I'd rather have Colbourne than Sidney any day. If Sidney is your kind of man, go pine over Season One and stay there. Attacking actors who have put their all into a show, caring about the outcome, is frankly stupid when Theo James turned a blind eye and walked away not caring to give you your Sidlotte.
65
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P
Colbourne for sure! Can’t wait to see it unfold!
88 25
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G
I don’t think you know the meaning of love. Charlotte and Alexander have connected on levels S&C never did. Charlotte and Sidney would not have lasted. They had nothing in common.
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I think she will end up with Colbourne.
88 27
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P
A "silly and ignorant" poll: Sid Parker never stood a ghost of a chance, LOL, despite diehard fans. Alexander (landed gentry with 1000 acres) is the only one in Charlotte's Class; Sid earned his fortune using slaves. Sidney is only a name in an unfinished list in Austen's 11chapter manuscript.
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Colbourne!
84 24
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Agree Jane Austen! IMO:Sid was a fling but not marriage material/True Love; beneath her Class as a business man (Genteel Trade) who used slaves for his business; only his name was in JA's 11-chapter manuscript.
52
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I agree, Mariann. Definitely Alexander with his 1000 acres, Hannibal and Luna!
38
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So disappointing Charlotte and Colbourn didn’t get together but the end where Alexander Colbourn reverted back to himself as in the beginning made me sick, I thought they were so good together i was hoping they would be married, and then problems arise but I can’t stand the show now the way it ended for Charlotte . Why all the good stuff, now back to farmer Ralph !!!!
16 3
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R
Charlotte and Alexander must marry. They have both been hurt in the past and need to tell each other how they feel. Ralph must either die of consumption or let her go as he can see she doesnt love him but that she loves alexander. Or her dad needs to tell her to follow her heart tell alexander she loves him Alexander can tell her he was going to ask her to marry him but she stopped in. They can then fall into each others arms. And we can see them marry.
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R
Charlotte must marry alexander colbourne. They both have been hurt in the past and have found love in each other. Sorry Ralph you are going to have to die of consumption so Charlotte and Alexander cannot tell each other they love each other and marry.
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G
Colonel Lennox (Tom Weston-Jones) for sure! There's only been one episode and she already seems to have a better rapport with him than she had with Sidney.
35 39
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I don't believe Sidney is really dead. I think he has been kidnapped & is being held as a slave but will be able to break free & will return to Sanditon for Season 3.
47 62
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I sincerely hope Charlotte stays with Ralph Starling and never returns to Sanditon ever again. Nothing good ever happens to her there!
28
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G
I think Sidney disliked being married to Eliza so much that he faked his death so he would not have to be her escort. Where is he? Parker downs or Lord Babbington's estate?
7 41
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O
Sidney is Charlotte’s one true love
45 85
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SIDNEY ,SIDNEY,SIDNEY SIDLOTTE, SIDLOTTE, SIDLOTTE.
43 87
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Lennox is the only decent option if it can’t be Sidney. He’s exactly what she needs.
9 60
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O
Why would you want Charlotte to be married off to an angry Chicken or a boiled potato! Sidney will always be her only love!
29 82
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Sidney Parker is Charlotte's true love. Hero and heroine. The Sidlotte promised HEA. It was always them
33 89
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G
I fear the writers have misjudged their audience. The desire of Charlotte’s heart is Sidney Parker. No other will suffice.
34 90
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O
We’re there no good looking actors in all of Britain to be in the next season?
26 83
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I think the writers failed horribly in creating a new romantic lead. But at least Tom Weston-Jones is a good actor. This other guy gives Rose Williams NOTHING to work with. ColeBORED.
18 76
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O
Sidney's grave has been opened and he's being nursed back to life, as his death was misdiagnosed. He'll soon be on his way back to Sanditon as a widower to reunite with Charlotte. Because Austen heroines are constant in their love, always get their heart's desire, and do not marry other suitors, even if they have lost all hope. If not, this story hasn't anything to do with Jane Austen anymore and the producers have failed to understand what's most important for the fans. With or without Theo, Sidney and Charlotte must find their way back to each other.
33 91
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G
Sidney Parker is the only true Austen hero. Colbore and Lennot are Young creations. An Austen heroine would wind up with a hero not some nobodies.
36 95
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C
60% voting for the guy who dies within 2 minutes of the new season? Looks like someoen at PBS didn't get the message.
22 82
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R
Charlotte can't end up with a predatory boss who looks like a cheap Elvis impersonator. No, just no.
5 76
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B
Good god, I hope Charlotte has more options in season 3. She has more chemistry with Lennox but it seems the writers have set up Colbourne for end game. What a disappointing character AND actor. They have zero chemistry on screen.
30 102
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R
There is only ONE possible outcome for the #Sanditon story: that #JaneAusten's last leading female character, Charlotte Heywood, and her last heroe, Sidney Parker, find their HEA.
Nothing else will do.
The producers have underestimated the audience's passion for the #Sidlotte love story and the pull that the series' most transformational character has on the viewers.
Andrew Davies, Justin Young and Theo James created such a memorable Sidney Parker that he "stole the show" and the fans' hearts. None of the male characters presented in the so-called continuation are #JaneAusten's and none live up to him.
21 95
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G
As always an eloquent reply💟you take the words right out of my 💔
Thank you ❤️
7 41
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Sidney! He is Charlotte’s true love. This was Sidney and Charlotte love story. The other actors have no chemistry with Charlotte, their stories are so forced. The production failed miserably to understand what the fans truly wanted! This show should have stayed cancelled!!!
7 85