‘Gentleman Jack’: HBO Cancels Period Drama After 2 Seasons
There will be no third season for HBO‘s period drama Gentleman Jack, as the network has canceled the Sally Wainwright series just a month after airing Season 2.
As reported by Deadline, the series, which is a co-production with the BBC, will not be returning to HBO. Based on the collected diaries of industrialist Anne Lister, Gentleman Jack starred Suranne Jones (Vigil) as Lister and Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders) as her love interest, Ann Walker.
The first season followed Lister and Walker as they embarked upon a secret relationship, which Lister records in a cryptic diary. Season 2 saw the couple set up home together at Shibden Hall as wife and wife, with hopes to bring their estates together and become a power couple.
“HBO will not be moving forward with a third season of Gentleman Jack,” HBO told Deadline. “When we began this journey more than five years ago, we knew the series’ creator Sally Wainwright had a uniquely compelling vision, and it’s been tremendously gratifying to see how Anne Lister’s journey has resonated with viewers.”
The statement continued, “We are incredibly grateful to Sally, to the impeccable Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle, and to the entire cast and crew for bringing Anne and Ann’s story to life. We’d also like to thank our partners at BBC and Lookout Point for their collaboration on two remarkable seasons.”
Following news of the cancelation, Jones took to Instagram, where she wrote, “While it is sad news Gentleman Jack will not be renewed, this show has brought so many together, enabled people to share their stories, brought joy, emotion and creativity and gave me a real connection to you as it’s audience.”
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Rundle also commented on her own Instagram, writing, “What a privilege it has been to play Ann Walker and bring her and Anne Lister’s extraordinary love story back to life. I am so proud to have been a part of reclaiming their place in history. I am overwhelmed by the love this show inspired. And PROUD. So fiercely proud.”
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Fans and fellow stars shared their love for the show and disappointment over the cancelation. “The most wonderful show,” wrote It’s A Sin writer Russell T. Davies. “Just loved it so so much! I’m sad it’s not coming back but happy that it was brought to us in the first place,” added another fan.
“[Rundle] and Suranne brought this fan base so much happiness and hope. Thank you for being so remarkable throughout and we’re all very proud of you! Anne and Ann now have a little legacy that will go on forever,” commented another viewer.
Wainwright is also known for creating the shows Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, and Scott & Bailey. She is currently working on The Ballad of Renegade Nell, an upcoming Disney+ series about “swashbuckling highwaywoman’ Nell Jackson, who is forced into a life of robbery when she’s framed for murder.”
Gentleman Jack, Seasons 1 & 2, HBO
