Sanditon Season 3: First-look Photos, Cast, Plot Details, Official Trailer, Premiere Date, the Romance, & More…
MASTERPIECE on PBS dropped three revealing first-look photos for Sanditon Season 3. The pictures from the romantic period drama feature Rose Williams as Charlotte Heywood, Cai Brigden as Ralph Starling, Crystal Clarke as Georgiana Lambe, Edward Davis as Lord Montrose (new character alert!), and Ben Lloyd-Hughes as Alexander Colbourne.
Sanditon is based on the unfinished novel by Jane Austen and follows the romances and friendships of the young woman Charlotte when she visits the seaside resort town of Sanditon and stays with the Parker family.
Andrew Davies (the legendary British period drama TV writer of productions like Pride and Prejudice) created the series and was the showrunner for season 1.
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After the unfortunate original cancellation (leading to the loss of numerous cast members – including the lead Theo James as love interest Sidney Parker), Justin Young became the head writer for Seasons 2 and 3 when it received a surprise renewal – thanks to devoted fans.
Unfortunately, despite the reprieve, Season 3 will be the final season of Sanditon.
The Executive Producer of MASTERPIECE, Susanne Simpson, said on news of the final season, “Sanditon has been an incredibly special series for MASTERPIECE, and we know it has found its way into the hearts of countless fans. While we are sad to say goodbye to the series, we know our audience has a lot to look forward to in this new season.”
So, let’s pay tribute to our beloved Sanditon and do just that.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF SEASON 2? (SPOILERS)
Sanditon is a period drama that knows how to end on massive cliffhangers! In the first season, Sidney ended things with Charlotte to help save his brother’s business despite being in love with her. Only for Sidney to then pass away tragically at the beginning of season 2.
And then, at the end of the second season, Charlotte (despite almost finding love again with the brooding Alexander Colbourne after dealing with a tricky love triangle) announces she has a fiancé: Ralph Starling – a local farmer from her hometown. Much to everyone’s – including the audience’s – surprise.
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Meanwhile, her sister Alison Heywood married the dashing Captain Declan Fraser (a Kenneth Branagh lookalike, if ever there was one).
Georgiana Lambe discovered the man she’d been falling for – Charles Lockhart – was after her money; Georgiana also found out her mother was alive, and Clara left her baby to Esther Babbington.
While some characters like Esther received their happy ending, Charlotte and Georgiana still need their much-deserved HEAs.
But could the writers have some more twists and turn in store for their spirited heroines?
For more on Season 2, read our review.
SANDITON SEASON 3 FIRST LOOK PHOTOS
In the first photo, we see Charlotte Heywood looking lovingly up at her fiancé, Ralph Starling. Could Charlotte have real feelings for him? Or is she looking for a comfortable life after too many romantic disappointments and heartbreaks?
Time will tell!
In the second released first-look picture, we meet a new mysterious character – Lord Montrose (played by Edward Davis), as he escorts Georgiana to an event. More details on the new character were recently released.
He’s a charismatic but mysterious young man with a mother intent on finding him a good match. Very interesting…
But is he a new love interest for Georgiana? Another shady character coming after Georgiana’s money? Or someone else? We will have to wait and see.
After two seasons of betrayal, it’s time for Georgiana to meet a good man or proudly choose never to marry! Either way, I’m here for Georgiana Lambe’s happy ending.
Finally, the third photo reveals a melancholic-looking Ben Lloyd-Hughes as Alexander Colbourne.
Is he upset with Charlotte’s betrothal? Will Charlotte end up with Alexander? Ralph? Or someone else like James Stringer (Leo Suter) after a surprise return? Okay, that last one was my own wishful thinking!
But season 3 looks to be promising based on these new photos.
SANDITON SEASON 3 RELEASE DATE
Sanditon season 3 will premiere on Sunday, March 19, 2023, on PBS at 9/8c on MASTERPIECE in the U.S. The series will premiere (date unknown) on Britbox UK in the U.K.
The final season of the show will be available to stream on March 19 on PBS Passport as well.
SANDITON SEASON 3 CAST
These are the official cast details for Season 3 mixed with the new photos and a few announcements from Sanditon showrunner Justin Young.
Returning Cast Members:
- Rose Williams (Charlotte Heybourne)
- Crystal Clarke (Georgiana Lambe)
- Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Alexander Colbourne)
- Alexander Vlahos (Charles Lockhart) – No official announcement on his return yet
- Tom Parker (Kris Marshall)
- Mary Parker (Kate Ashfield)
- Lady Denham (Anne Reid)
- Edward Denham (Jack Fox)
- Arthur Parker (Turlough Convery)
- Lady Susan (Sophie Winkleman)
- Ralph Starling (Cai Brigden)
Yes, Alexander Vlahos may come as a surprise! Justin Young confirmed to Decider that Lockhart will return – “but don’t expect him to make amends to Georgiana.” Yikes! It sounds like the roguish bad boy will remain more of a cad than a redeeming Byronic Hero.
Unfortunately, we also know a couple of cast members will not return for the final season. Tom Weston-Jones, as Colonel Francis Lennox, will not return. Charlotte Spencer, as Esther, will also not be back.
It’s unknown if previous cast members Lily Sacofsky, Rosie Graham, and Frank Blake will appear.
New cast members include Cai Brigden as Ralph Starling and Edward Davis as Lord Montrose. There are also several other new characters to look forward to.
Lady Montrose (Emma Fielding) is a mother intent on finding marital matches for her children, Henry and Lydia. Lord Henry Montrose, a charismatic but secretive young man, as we already know, will be played by Edward Davis. Lydia, Lady Montrose’s independent daughter, will be portrayed by Alice Orr.
Also joining the series are James Bolam as Rowleigh Pryce, a wealthy curmudgeon, and Alexander Colbourne’s brother, Samuel Colbourne, portrayed by Liam Garrigan.
For a sneak peek at photos of the new cast members, go to the official Sanditon News Announcement from PBS.
PLOT DETAILS
According to Crystal Clarke (Georgiana Lambe), Season 3 may be the most exciting. “You’re going to see parties, you’re going to see glam… it’s a highly caffeinated Sanditon.”
Rose Williams (Charlotte Heywood) revealed to MASTERPIECE that Season 3 will also have a lot of characterization. “In Season 3, we see characters meeting with their own unique challenges and really having to dig into deep parts of themselves to find resolve.”
On the other hand, Ben Lloyd-Hughes confirms the story will be full of romance and emotional moments. “I think Season 3 will bring even more excitement, romance, fun, and tears in both forms.”
As for Charlotte and Alexander, their romance will continue to be central to Season 3.
Head writer Justin Young revealed to Decider more details: “The kind of cliffhanger of the season is that Charlotte is now engaged to Ralph…So at the top of Season 3, that’s where we will find her. And that’s the question going into Season 3: She loves Colbourne. He loves her. We know that. But now she’s engaged to Ralph and how is that going to play out?”
It sounds like Season 3 is going to end strong!
OFFICIAL SEASON 3 PLOT DESCRIPTION
In Sanditon Season 3, the story continues with our high-spirited heroine, Charlotte Heywood and her friend Georgiana Lambe. What adventures, scandals, intrigue and above all else — romance — await our favorite characters?
In Season 3, fans will be greeted by returning characters Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams), Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke), Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes), Tom Parker (Kris Marshall), Mary Parker (Kate Ashfield), Lady Denham (Anne Reid), Edward Denham (Jack Fox), Arthur Parker (Turlough Convery), Lady Susan (Sophie Winkleman), Ralph Starling (Cai Brigden) and many other beloved residents of the seaside resort town.
SANDITON SEASON 3 TEASER TRAILER
PBS released an official teaser. The quick sequence reveals a smoldering stare between Charlotte and Alexander – leaving fans’ hearts all aflutter!
SANDITON SEASON 3 OFFICIAL TRAILER
As of December 13, 2022, the official Sanditon Season 3 Trailer has finally been released! It looks epic…
SANDITON, SEASON 3 FEATURETTE
“Drama, romance, gossip, laughter, tears…” The all-new featurette (released 2/22/23) reveals even more clues as to what will happen in the final season!
SANDITON SEASON 3 REVIEW
Update: The final season has aired. Check out our review and discussion of Sanditon, Season 3 for our thoughts on the series.
MASTERPIECE WINTER/SPRING 2023 PREVIEW
Well, that’s everything we know about the show for now. I’ll update this page when PBS releases any new details.
WHERE TO WATCH SANDITON
To watch the romantic period drama series for the first time (or again), you can stream it on PBS Passport, PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, or buy it on Digital and DVD.
Your turn! How excited are you for the third season of Sanditon? Do you want Charlotte to end up with Colbourne? Or do you have another ending you’re hoping for? What do you hope will happen with Georgiana and the rest of the Sanditon characters? Sound off below!
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Charlotte and Colbourne must marry and have lots of babies!❤️
Please correct your statement that Sanditon is “based on Jane Austen’s unfinished novel”. The first season was loosely based on her fragment and explored the themes contained in it. The second and third seasons have absolutely nothing to do with Austen’s work and are a derivative mish-mash of various literary and period drama tropes, in soap opera format. The original characters barely even resemble their Season 1 counterparts, especially Charlotte. She has been turned into a generic, not very bright heroine who has been unnecessarily put through immense pain and angst.
I am hoping that Georgiana finally gets a decent storyline. We’ll see.
But please don’t put this show and Jane Austen in the same sentence – they don’t even use her name in their branding anymore.
While I agree that the show no longer follows Jane Austen’s work – it is still inspired by her unfinished novel – the writers have just taken it in a new direction. Some will like it, and others won’t. I found Season 2 pretty mediocre if you’ve read my review and felt it was more of a derivative mish-mash of Austen. That said, I don’t need to change my statement as it is based on her unfinished novel – even if it no longer resembles what she started. The Vampire Diaries TV show was based on the LJ Smith novels – but barely reached them. I still see it as based on them, however. Everyone will have their own opinion, though. I do hope Georgiana gets a decent storyline, too.
The only charming couple on the show were Lord Babington and Lady Esther. Along with the aunt and rotten nephew. They made the show interesting.
so, it looks like, from the previews, charles lockhart returns; and he
looks piping mad! Is he TRULY inlove with georgiana, or is there some
thing else going on; maybe i am a queen of wishful thinking, but,
maybe sidney’s letter is a fake, charles knows about it; and ain’t saying
anything to Georgiana about it; when arthur put them together
at lady denham’s party, charles seemed thrilled to sit next to her;
I suppose the cat and mouse game, between Georgiana and Charles
could not have gone on alittle longer, what about when he said
to her, isn’t it obvious, I wish to get to know you better. To me it
is as if he WANTS to get- to know her better;
was arthur wrong about Charles? I was rooting for lambe and
lockhart. Gues I’ll stop doing that.