“The most compelling show in years”: Inside the "dream" third series of Lesley Manville’s BBC drama Sherwood

If you’re not already familiar with BBC crime drama Sherwood, AKA "the most compelling show in years" (as the critics say), which stars Lesley Manville and David Morrissey, firstly, we highly recommend watching it. Secondly, the BAFTA-winning genius behind the series, James Graham, is giving fans exactly what they want and conjuring up a glorious third instalment - so there's even more to look forward to.

The hit series is set in a village in the Nottinghamshire coalfield where Graham grew up, and takes inspiration from how the community was rocked by two grisly killings in 2004 that led to a huge manhunt involving police officers from all over the country. The events reopen old wounds between residents and the police that were inflicted 30 years ago during the miners’ strikes, while David Morrissey’s DCS Ian St Clair tries to track down the culprits behind the murders. With the tensions only intensifying in series 2, we can only imagine what series 3 has in store.

While we await the arrival of the third series on our screens, here's everything you need to know about Sherwood, including the plot, cast and all the inside details about the third chapter.

What is Sherwood about?

Set in the Nottinghamshire mining village where creator and writer Stephen Graham grew up, the hit crime drama is inspired by real-life events, namely two grisly murders that took place around Ashfield, Nottingham, in 2004, and sparked the biggest manhunt in Nottinghamshire Police history. Starring David Morrissey as DCS Ian St Clair, series 1 focused on the hunt for Robert Boyer, who killed ex-miner Keith Frogson, as well as Terry Rodgers, who killed his daughter Chanel.

With divisions from the 1984-85 miners' strike ongoing, suspicion and antipathy built - both between lifelong neighbours and towards the police forces who descended on the town – and the tragic killings threatened to inflame historic divisions sparked during the strike three decades before. The series delved into the lasting trauma and impact of the strike and divides within the community.

We were also introduced to the likes of Gary Jackson, a National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) stalwart in a village dominated by the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM), played by Alun Armstrong, as well as his wife Julie, played by Lesley Manville, who was estranged from her sister Cathy (Claire Rushbrook). As we mentioned, while the story was fictional, it was loosely based on the actual murders of trade unionist Keith Frogson and hairdresser Chanel Taylor in July 2004.

The second series was set in the present day and introduced two new families who found themselves entangled with the Sparrows - led by patriarch Mickey (Philip Jackson) and his wife Daphne (Lorraine Ashbourne) - who were introduced in the first series as a notorious local crime clan. The families found themselves in a caught up in a web of local gangs, old rivalries, revenge, and betrayal.

Meanwhile, a newly appointed Sheriff of Nottingham passionately fought against a proposed new coal mine for the area, which brought the promise of much needed jobs and prosperity - but also unwelcome reminders of the legacy that has mired the community for so long.

What will happen in Sherwood series 3?

The BBC has confirmed that James Graham will once again be behind the third series. Graham has said it “continues to be the greatest privilege to tell stories set in and inspired by the history of my home county of Nottinghamshire”, describing the return of the series as a “every British writer’s dream”.

“My biggest appreciation goes to our audiences and I’m determined to deliver for them in a series three, which will be a new set of stories, and the continuation – and completion – of some strands I’ve been dreaming of for some time,” he says.

Juliette Howell and Harriet Spencer, Executive Producers for House Productions, added: “The love that the second series of Sherwood has garnered has been incredible to witness and so we are thrilled that the BBC are once again backing this very special drama for a third run and giving us all the opportunity to bring more rich stories from the Nottinghamshire community that has been such an integral part of James’s life.

“We are looking forward to further exploring the brilliantly complex world of Sherwood and unearthing some more of the many secrets which are harboured in and amongst its characters. James has a lot of very exciting storylines planned so fans will need to be prepared for some more heart-wrenching, jaw-dropping and shocking twists.”

Who's starring in Sherwood series 3?

The BBC hasn't yet shared who will be in the cast of Sherwood series 3, but we're hoping the following key cast members from series 2 will return:

• Lesley Manville
• David Morrissey
• Monica Dolan
• David Harewood
• Lorraine Ashbourne
• Robert Lindsay
• Perry Fitzpatrick
• Christine Bottomley
• Michael Balogun
• Oliver Huntingdon
• Bethany Asher

Is Sherwood any good?

Yes – it’s one of the BBC’s standout series and the acting is immaculate. Critics have called it "the most compelling show in years" and described the culmination of series 2 as “more spectacular than anyone could have hoped for”.

How can I watch Sherwood series 3?

The BBC hasn’t yet shared a release date for Sherwood series 3 but, sadly, we’re not expecting it to arrive on our screens until the end of 2025 at the earliest. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here. In the meantime, you can catch up on the first two series of Sherwood, which are available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer.