David Farnor | On 18, Aug 2024

“There is such a thing as a mood or a culture that is hard to see or hard to define, but it can grip a place…” That’s the sound of BBC One returning to Sherwood, and a new trailer gives us a first look at Season 2.

The drama, which debuted in 2022, followed a tense investigation into two shocking and unexpected killings that shatter the already fractured community in Nottinghamshire mining village. Can a community repair itself as more is discovered about those who live there, and whether they really are who they say they are?

Written by James Graham, the series stars David Morissey police inspector Ian St Clair, alongside Lesley Manville as Julie, the wife of a former union activist, Monica Dolan as Ann Branson and David Harewood as Denis Bottomley.

“James Graham’s brooding crime drama about a divided community doesn’t miss its mark,” we wrote in our review of Season 1.

Season 2 will continue the show’s themes of examining the lives and legacy of those governed by Britain’s industrial past with stories from communities of the “red wall” towns, the controversial deployment of so-called “spy cops” and how seismic ripples from the past can come back to haunt the present.

Set in the present day, it introduces two new families that find themselves entangled with the Sparrow family (Perry Fitzpatrick, Lorraine Ashbourne), entering a complex web of local gangs, old rivalries, revenge, and betrayal. Meanwhile, a newly appointed Sheriff of Nottingham is passionately fighting against a proposed new mine for the area, which brings the promise of much needed jobs and prosperity but also unwelcome reminders of the legacy that has mired the community for so long. Amid the tensions, a senseless murder threatens to reignite historic turf wars.

Season 2 begins at 9pm on BBC One on 25th August, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer at once.

 

Sherwood renewed for Season 2

30th June 2022

The BBC has renewed Sherwood for a second season.

The drama, which follows a tense investigation into two shocking and unexpected killings that shatter an already fractured community, is a personal piece for playwright and dramatist James Graham, having been inspired, in part, by real events that occurred in the Nottinghamshire mining village in which he grew up.

“This brooding crime drama about a divided community doesn’t miss its mark,” we wrote in our review.

Sherwood launched to over 6 million viewers on the BBC (seven-day consolidated) and now it has been recommissioned for a second series for which Graham will once again look to take inspiration from the pit villages and surrounding towns of his home county. The new series will continue the themes of examining the lives and legacy of those governed by Britain’s industrial past with stories from communities of the “red wall” towns, the controversial deployment of so-called “spy cops” and how seismic ripples from the past can come back to haunt the present.

James Graham says: “I’ve been so deeply moved by the response to Sherwood. These stories come from my home, and I want to specifically express gratitude to my community for whom I know these subjects can be difficult, but – I hope – important ones to explore.

“The East Midlands and former ‘red wall’ areas like it are never just one thing – politically or culturally – and it’s been the honour of my life to give voice and character to a place I love. It’s a county of great stories and legends, past and present, and I can’t wait to show audiences more. It’s also a joy to see our incredible cast be so celebrated, along with lead director Lewis Arnold, who I owe a great debt, and Ben Williams. None of this would have been possible without House Productions championing and supporting me every step of the way, and without the public-service remit of the BBC.”

 

Trailer: BBC One’s Sherwood begins this June

3rd June 2022

“I know the potential to inflame divisions in the community…” That’s the sound of David Morrissey stepping into Sherwood for BBC One’s new crime drama.

Inspired in part by real events, set in a Nottinghamshire mining village, it follows two shocking and unexpected killings that shatter an already fractured community and spark a massive manhunt. Police inspectors Ian St Clair, from the local constabulary, and Kevin Salisbury from the Met, must reunite and bury a rivalry that stretches back to 1984, in an attempt to heal wounds, and catch a killer. But can a community repair itself as more is discovered about those who live there, and whether they really are who they say they are?

The six-part drama is penned by Quiz writer James Graham and stars Morrissey as Ian St Clair, alongside Robert Glenister as Salisbury, plus Lesley Manville, Adeel Akhtar and Joanne Froggatt.

The series premieres on BBC One at 9pm on 13th June, with Episode 2 following on Tuesday 14th June – and all episodes available at once on BBC iPlayer. Here’s the trailer:

 

Sherwood: Quiz writer James Graham heads to BBC for crime drama

2nd February 2021

Quiz writer James Graham is heading to the BBC for Sherwood, a new crime drama.

The award-winning playwright and dramatist will draw on his experiences of growing up in post-industrial Nottinghamshire for his latest collaboration with House Productions, with whom he made Emmy and Bafta-nominated Brexit: The Uncivil War. Inspired in part by real events, James has created the drama, set in the Nottinghamshire mining village where he grew up.

The contemporary six-part drama for BBC One sees two shocking and unexpected murders shatter an already fractured community leading to one of the largest manhunts in British history. Suspicion is rife and the tragic murders threaten to inflame historic divisions sparked during the Miners’ Strike that tore families apart three decades before.

To solve the murders, police inspectors Ian St Clair, from the local constabulary, and Kevin Salisbury from the Met, must reunite and bury a rivalry that stretches back to 1984, in an attempt to heal wounds, and catch a killer. But can a community repair itself as more is discovered about those who live there, and whether they really are who they say they are?

James Graham says: “It means the world to have this opportunity to bring the voices of a community I grew up in to BBC One. So much is spoken about the divisions and difficulties in these ‘Red Wall’ towns, but they’re not always understood. I feel so honoured to be able to tell a fictionalised story about a very real trauma, but with the humour and heart and resilience of the people I know and love there.”

Juliette Howell and Tessa Ross, executive producers for House Productions, say: “James has written an extraordinarily powerful drama, which has immense heart, wit and humanity – and, as ever with his writing, it’s a pertinent piece for our times.”

Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama says: “In blending real and fictional events, James has created a penetrating, heartfelt and purposeful thriller which exposes the tensions and fault lines at the heart of modern Britain. Sherwood is set to be an exceptional series by one of our greatest dramatists and we are proud to be bringing it to BBC One.”

James Graham has written all six parts and will be an executive producer on the series. Lewis Arnold (Time, Des) is lead director and an executive producer, and the producer is Rebecca Hodgson (The Irregulars, Deep Water).

Sherwood is one of several dramas from House Productions, planned for production in 2021, which also includes the recently announced Life After Life, an adaptation of the Kate Atkinson bestseller also for BBC One and Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle for Netflix; an adaptation of Stuart Turton’s Costa award-winning, bestselling novel.

Filming on Sherwood will begin later in 2021 in Nottinghamshire. Casting details will be announced closer to the start of production.

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