Sherwood's future confirmed after season 3 as release window is revealed

There's bad news for Sherwood fans, as the acclaimed British crime drama is expected to end after season 3. Creator James Graham also confirmed when the new episodes are expected to air.

Premiered in 2022, the series is inspired by the real-life 2004 miners' strikes and subsequent murders around Nottingham, with David Morrissey and Lesley Manville fronting a stacked cast that also includes Monica Dolan, David Harewood, Lorraine Ashbourne, Robert Lindsay, Perry Fitzpatrick, Christine Bottomley, Michael Balogun, Oliver Huntingdon and Bethany Asher.

Appearing on Sky's brand-new vodcast, Backstory with Cathy Newman, Graham said that the upcoming season three will be "the last series" of Sherwood, also revealing that the final chapter will return to BBC One early next year.

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"We've finished it, we've edited it, and it will be the last series, and it will be out in January, February time," Graham told Newman on the show, which launches tomorrow (via Deadline).

Graham previously spoke about reuniting with original Sherwood stars, whom he labelled "proper national treasure" in an interview with Radio Times.

"[What's] been really lovely is to get original actors back – people like Lesley Manville, David Morrissey, Lorraine Ashbourne, from the first series bringing back Claire Rushbrook, Robert Glenister. People, just even saying their names, you go, 'Why are you working with me? I feel so lucky,'" he said.

Meanwhile, season 3 sees new stars joining in, with Riot Women star Rosalie Craig and Game of Thrones' Joe Dempsie starring as "a brand new family that I put through a brand new trauma," Graham teased.

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"We really put these guys through the wringer, but it's very exciting," he added, praising the Sherwood newcomers as "great Nottingham actors to tell a Nottinghamshire story".

Graham, a three-time Olivier Award winner, is also behind Dear England, Brian and Maggie, Quiz and the new Danny Boyle movie Ink.

Sherwood season 3 is expected to air in early 2027. An exact release date is to be confirmed.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).