Will there be a second season of ‘Gentleman Jack’?

Here’s some wonderful and unexpectedly early news for Gentleman Jack fans!

Following its hugely successful debut in the UK last month, the BBC has already confirmed that the period drama series has been renewed for a second season.

Set in Halifax, West Yorkshire in 1832, Gentleman Jack is based on the diaries of remarkable Regency landowner Anne Lister, played by Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones.

Episode 1 was the most successful launch for a new BBC drama this year, winning its slot with a peak of 5.6 million.

Gentleman Jack will return next year with another eight episodes.

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, commented: “Gentleman Jack exudes sass and originality, and has been a huge hit with our BBC One audience. We look forward to continuing Anne Lister’s journey with Sally, Suranne and the rest of the team.”

Executive producer Faith Penhale added: “I’m thrilled that viewers have embraced Anne Lister with the passion and positivity that she deserves. Sally and Suranne’s achievement in bringing this remarkable and inspirational figure back to life has been quite incredible and we can’t wait to create the next chapter in Anne’s story.”

Alongside Suranne Jones, the cast also includes Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders) as Ann Walker, Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones) as Anne Lister’s sister Marian, Timothy West (Last Tango In Halifax) as their father Jeremy Lister, and Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones’s Diary) as Aunt Anne Lister, with Stephanie Cole (Still Open All Hours), Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Amelia Bullmore (Scott & Bailey), Vincent Franklin (Happy Valley), Shaun Dooley (Broadchurch), Joe Armstrong (Happy Valley).

Season 1 continues in the UK on Sunday nights on BBC One and in the USA on Monday nights on HBO.

The book The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister is available to buy on Amazon.