There’s good news for ‘Sanditon’ fans wanting Season 2

Sanditon may not be returning to ITV, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end!

The new period drama series launched in the UK last autumn and premiered in the US earlier this month.

Based on Jane Austen’s unfinished final novel, the eight-part adaptation was a co-production between ITV and PBS Masterpiece.

Austen’s original 11-chapter manuscript, written only months before her death in 1817, was brought to screen by Emmy and BAFTA-Award winning writer Andrew Davies (Pride & Prejudice, Les Misérables).

Sadly, despite a second season being planned by Davies, it was recently confirmed that Sanditon hasn’t been renewed by ITV.

An ITV spokesperson explained: “We would have loved it to return, but unfortunately we just didn’t get the audience that would make that possible for us, which is heartbreaking for everybody involved in this wonderful adaptation.”

However, speaking before the show’s American broadcast, they also revealed: “Sanditon is yet to air in the US and we hope they may find a way of continuing with this series.”

Sanditon writer Andrew Davies added: “The American co-producers are very keen to do a second series – we’re still living in hope.”

The show’s producers, Red Planet Pictures, also sound positive that a second season could still happen if it’s a big enough hit in the US.

They told Radio Times: “We’re very proud of Sanditon and look forward to seeing how it’s received on [US channel] Masterpiece in January.”

Red Planet Pictures said: “We will obviously explore all opportunities to keep the world of Sanditon alive.”

The first season is currently airing 9/8c on PBS Masterpiece on Sunday nights and is released on DVD next month.

Explaining ITV’s reluctance to commission another season of Sandition, writer Andrew Davies explained: “[Viewer numbers] dipped below three million. They had taken a bit of a hit over Vanity Fair – they’ve sort of gone off doing period drama.”

Let’s hope that ITV’s next period drama series, Belgravia from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, fares better when it airs in the coming months.

Sanditon starred Theo James (Downton Abbey), Kris Marshall (Death in Paradise) and Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax).

Sanditon is available on DVD on Amazon.