‘Gentleman Jack’ finale recap: What happened in Season 2 Episode 8?

The long-awaited second season of Gentleman Jack concluded in the UK tonight!

Adapted from the real life diaries of Anne Lister by Last Tango in Halifax writer Sally Wainwright, the BBC’s hit period drama is set in Halifax, West Yorkshire in 1832.

Suranne Jones (Vigil) and Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders) are back as Anne Lister and Ann Walker.

They’re joined by returning cast members Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones) as Marian Lister, Gemma Jones (Last Tango in Halifax) as Aunt Anne Lister, and Timothy West (EastEnders) as Jeremy Lister.

Newcomers this season include The Larkins star Joanna Scanlan as Anne Lister’s outrageous former lover, Isabella ‘Tib’ Norcliffe.

The eight brand new episodes are airing in the US on HBO and HBO Max.

 

The official synopsis for the new season reads: “All eyes are on Anne Lister and Ann Walker as they set up home together at Shibden Hall as wife and wife, determined to combine their estates and become a power couple.

“Anne Lister’s entrepreneurial spirit frightens the locals as much as her unconventional love life and, with Halifax on the brink of revolution, her refusal to keep a low profile becomes provocative and dangerous.”

Here’s a plot recap for the eighth and final episode of Season 2 – ‘It’s Not Illegal’ – which premiered on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 29th May 2022:

Anne Lister and Ann Walker’s trip to London is blighted by tension.

Anne refuses to introduce Ann to her society friends, and simmering resentments on both sides of the relationship boil over when Miss Walker takes Anne to task over her financial borrowing.

Back in Halifax, in the run-up to the Northgate ceremony, Anne is privately dismayed to realise she cannot count on the support of her family and receives terrible news about a friend.

The ongoing mission to divide the Walker estate puts the couple under even more strain when Captain Sutherland arrives from Scotland determined to destroy Anne Lister’s reputation.

Is the marriage strong enough to survive constant attack?

Gentleman Jack is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.