SANDITON has been renewed for two more seasons in a major U-turn after the period drama was cancelled.
Fans of the Jane Austen adaptation were left devastated when it was revealed in December 2019 it had been axed after just one series.
A major fan campaign was immediately launched and now they can celebrate as it has finally been recommissioned for now one but two more seasons.
They will initially air exclusively on BritBox before being broadcast on ITV at a later date.
Belinda Campbell, the joint managing director of production company Red Planet Pictures said: “We’re thrilled to be able to invite viewers back to Sanditon for not just one but two further visits!
“Justin Young and Andrew Davies’ sensational scripts are relevant, timely and captivating and we can’t wait to share all the exciting new developments we have in store for our much loved characters.
“Now, more than ever, I think we could all do with some joy on our TV screens as well as a healthy dose of fresh sea air.”
BritBox UK’s managing director Will Harrison added: “We couldn’t be happier to be involved in bringing the wonderful Sanditon back to screens across the UK, and want to thank the fans for keeping these characters alive while plans came together.”
After ITV announced the show had been cancelled in 2019, almost 90,000 fans signing a #SaveSanditon petition on Change.org.
The show’s chances of renewal were also boosted by its successful run in the US last year, where it aired on the Masterpiece channel.
Sanditon is based on Jane Austen’s unfinished manuscript of the same name and starred Rose Williams and Theo James.
The actors played Charlotte and Sidney, and the first series ended on a major cliffhanger where they tearfully said goodbye to each other, their fates uncertain.
Now fans will be delighted to know the cliffhanger can be explored after all.
Polly Hill, head of drama at ITV, said: “I’m so glad that the success of Sanditon in the US has paved the way for its return, and for ITV to continue on this wonderful journey.
“We know there are many loyal fans of the show in the UK that will be delighted to see its return and that we were able to find a way to bring it back.”
