'Sherwood' Renewed for Season 3 Ahead of U.S. Debut

Sherwood’s initial season, originally written as a stand-alone, covered the Northern Red Wall town’s brush with fame during the 2004 manhunt for a killer who killed a resident via a bow and arrow. One of the best shows of 2022, it was renewed as an anthology series shortly after, with the second season (which has concluded in the U.K. but will not air in the States until November 2024) focusing on the more recent “Shottingham” gang wars. Now, the series has been renewed for a third installment, ahead of its U.S. debut.

The BBC admits that it does not have a full picture of Sherwood’s ratings for Season 2, but the premiere has been watched by more than 6.5 million viewers after the first four weeks on streaming. It has also caused a resurgence in Season 1 viewers on iPlayer, with “over 7.2 million streams” since August 1, 2024. That’s not considering the critical response, with The Guardian calling Season 2 “more spellbinding than the original masterpiece.”

Graham has not yet revealed what he plans to do with a third season; however, executive producers Juliette Howell and Harriet Spencer, who were both behind Seasons 1 and 2, have promised writer James Graham “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.”

BritBox has not yet dropped its version of the Sherwood Season 2 trailer. However, the BBC one is out, and the new season looks fantastic.

James Graham said in a statement: 

“It continues to be the greatest privilege to tell stories set in and inspired by the history of my home county of Nottinghamshire. Having a returning series on the BBC is pretty much every British writer’s dream, and I’m incredibly grateful for the continued passion that Lindsay, Charlotte, and Jo have for Sherwood - and to everyone at House Productions, the most supportive producers you can have. My biggest appreciation, though, 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.”

As Sherwood is an anthology series, it is not immediately clear if any of the cast from Season 2 will carry over. However, since a few characters did cross over between the first two seasons, the new story will likely find a way to connect Season 3 with the previous installments.

Graham will write all six episodes of Season 3, which will run for six installments. Graham will also executive produce alongside Juliette Howell, Tessa Ross, and Harriet Spencer for House Productions, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. 

Sherwood Season 3 is expected to announce more come 2025. Season 2 will debut on BritBox on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and stream two episodes a week through the end of the month.