‘Sanditon’ cast have reunited as work begins on Season 2
Work on the long-awaited second season of Sanditon is officially underway!
It was announced this spring that ITV’s period drama series had received a surprise two-season renewal, despite being officially cancelled in 2020.
Based on Jane Austen’s unfinished final novel, Sanditon premiered in the UK back in 2019, then aired in the US early last year.
We can now reveal that the show’s returning stars reunited yesterday as the cast and crew gathered for Season 2’s first script readthrough.
The Sanditon Sisterhood campaigned tirelessly for over a year to get the show renewed.
However, fans won’t be getting the resolution to Season 1’s cliffhanger ending that they were hoping for as it’s been confirmed that Theo James won’t be back as Sidney Parker.
The official Sanditon page on Facebook announced in May: “While Sidney Parker will not return, rest assured that an abundance of romance and adventure lies ahead for the Sanditon heroine. We can’t wait for you to see what we have in store…”
As the script pictured above for the opening episode of the second season proves, however, Rose Williams is definitely back as Charlotte Heywood!
The official synopsis for Season 2 reads: “After fans were left hanging in suspense by the first season’s finale and clamoring for more, the drama will continue to follow the high-spirited and independent heroine, Charlotte Heywood as she returns to the picturesque coastal resort of Sanditon.
“Charlotte’s journey is one thread of an intricate tapestry of compelling stories full of intrigue, excitement, and romance.
“Against the backdrop of beautiful vistas, familiar faces return and new inhabitants are introduced — all of whom will be having adventures as joyous and surprising as the seaside town itself.”
Filming is set to begin very soon in and around Bristol, England.
Sanditon creator Andrew Davies (Pride & Prejudice) is taking a step back with Season 2.
Taking over as lead writer and executive producer is Justin Young (Death in Paradise, Ripper Street), who previously wrote four episodes of Sanditon‘s first season.
Davies will still remain an executive produce too, as well as writing “several episodes.”
Belinda Campbell from production company Red Planet Pictures commented: “We’re thrilled to be able to invite viewers back to Sanditon for not just one but two further visits!”
Watch a teaser for the show’s return:
PBS has teamed up with BritBox in the UK for the renewal, with Season 2 likely to arrive on our screens in early 2022.
The new episodes will premiere on BritBox in the UK, before airing on ITV, and they’ll air on PBS Masterpiece in the US.
Season 3 is expected to follow in 2023.
While we wait, fans can listen to the music from the series and read The World of Sanditon: The Official Companion, a stunning book providing an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show.
Sanditon is available on DVD on Amazon.