One of the BBC’s most acclaimed crime dramas is preparing to bow out. ‘Sherwood’ will officially end with its upcoming third series, as creator James Graham confirms that the Nottinghamshire-set thriller is heading towards its conclusion when it returns in early 2027.
The news comes directly from Graham himself, who revealed the decision during an appearance on the first episode of Sky’s new interview programme, Backstory with Cathy Newman.
“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.
That means the upcoming third series won’t just be another chapter in the story, but the final outing for a drama which has become one of the BBC’s standout productions of recent years.
First airing in 2022, ‘Sherwood’ drew inspiration from real events in Nottinghamshire, including the bitter divisions left by the miners’ strikes of the 1980s and their lasting impact on local communities. The first series followed a murder investigation which reopened decades-old wounds, with David Morrissey (The Walking Dead) leading the cast as DCS Ian St Clair.
The second series, which aired in 2024, shifted its focus towards organised crime and gang violence in the region, introducing new characters and exploring how criminal rivalries could tear communities apart. It also brought another formidable ensemble cast into the mix, including Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office), David Harewood (Homeland) and Lesley Manville (The Crown).
What Can We Expect From The Final Series?
As previously announced, Series 3 picks up six months after the dramatic conclusion of the second run, introducing the Wood family, who appear to be respectable pillars of their local community.
Rosalie Craig (Riot Women) stars as Zoe Wood, a passionate campaigner for her hometown, alongside Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones) as her husband Alex, who is overseeing construction of a new housing development near Sherwood Forest.
They are joined by Sue Johnston (The Royle Family) and Peter Wight (Another Year) as Zoe’s parents, Irene and Eric Bostall.
Meanwhile, Kirby Howell-Baptiste (The Sandman) joins as DI Zara Gill, who finds herself investigating human remains recovered from a reservoir. The discoveries lead to connections with the criminal activities of the Branson family, before an unexpected link draws the investigation towards the Bostalls and secrets buried for decades.
The final series will also see the return of familiar faces, including Lorraine Ashbourne (Brassic), Claire Rushbrook (Ali & Ava), Robert Lindsay (My Family) and Perry Fitzpatrick (Line of Duty), alongside Morrissey and Manville.
There are also some welcome returns from the original series, with Robert Glenister (Hustle) and Lindsay Duncan (The Leftovers) reprising their roles.
Given the show’s history of digging into the complicated relationships between crime, politics, policing and communities, it will be interesting to see how Graham brings everything together for one final chapter.
What’s Next For James Graham?
While ‘Sherwood’ may be reaching its conclusion, Graham certainly isn’t short of other projects.
The prolific writer, whose credits include ‘Quiz’, ‘Dear England’ and Brexit: The Uncivil War, also revealed that he has ambitions to adapt his acclaimed stage play Punch for television.
Based on the memoir by Jacob Dunne, the play tells the true story of a young man from Nottingham whose life changed forever after he killed another man with a single punch. It explores the consequences of the attack and the extraordinary process of restorative justice which followed.
The production has enjoyed success on both sides of the Atlantic, and a television adaptation would bring another powerful Nottinghamshire story to the screen.
As for ‘Sherwood’, it’s undoubtedly a shame to see such a strong drama coming to an end, but there is something to be said for a series going out on its own terms rather than continuing indefinitely. With Graham himself bringing the story to a close, hopefully we’re in for a suitably gripping finale.
‘Sherwood’ Season 3 is expected to premiere in January or February 2027 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with an exact date still to be confirmed.
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