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There is some sad news for fans of the much-loved historical drama Gentleman Jack.
Sadly, the series all about Anne Lister, often regarded as the first modern lesbian, will not be returning for a third series. For two seasons, fans have watched as Lister fell in love with the wealthy Ann Walker and established herself as a businesswoman in a world of 19th-century misogyny and homophobia.
HBO has announced Season 2 of Gentleman Jack will be the show's last, which may come as a bit of surprise to fans considering there is more of Anne Lister and Ann Walker's (played by Sophie Rundle) life to be told, aside from the fact the show had a strong, loyal following.
Suranne Jones, who played the iconic role of Anne Lister, was the first star of the show to address Gentleman Jack's cancelation.
In a moving Instagram post, Jones described the series as a "beautiful journey," adding the show had a "huge impact" and "touched" her heart in many ways.
Alongside a clip of Season 2 bloopers, Jones said in full: "Good morning. I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on our beautiful journey in making this show.
"While it is sad news Gentleman Jack will not be renewed, this show has brought so many together enabled people to share their stories, brought joy, emotion, and creativity, and gave me a real connection to you as its audience.
"Anne Lister now has a statue in the Piece Hall. There is a Blue plaque in Holy Trinity churchyard celebrating Anne and Ann's union in 1834. There is a college named after Anne Lister on the east campus at the University of York. Shibden now has more visitors than ever before and you will find Anne Lister walks, tours, and trails galore when visiting Halifax and its surrounding areas.
"I have never been involved in a show that has made such a huge impact and touched my heart like this one has. It wasn't always the easiest job I've had... but it was always worth it to see the response it got. THANK YOU for all your support.
"Thank you to Sally Wainwright for bringing us this amazing story and passion. Thank you to @lindaviemakeup and @tompye33 for the stunning work over both seasons and to our design team who blew me away on set every day.
"To our cast and crew who are just so talented and beautiful and finally I love you @sophiesophierundle you are a true friend and a total star.
"Love Suranne."
Jones also shared a post from Lookout Point, the production company behind Gentleman Jack on her Instagram stories.
In a post, Lookout Point said it was an "absolute honor" to bring "Anne Lister marching into the 21st century."
The statement continued: "Here's to never conforming to the way people think a woman should look, or think, or be."
Jones' co-star Sophie Rundle, who played the troubled Ann Walker, has also paid tribute to the show on her Instagram account.
Alongside a series of behind-the-scenes images, Rundle said it was a "privilege" to play Walker for two seasons.
She wrote: "I hope the news that there won't be another series of Gentleman Jack isn't too disappointing for those who were hoping for more. What a privilege it has been to play Ann Walker and bring her and Anne Lister's extraordinary love story back to life.
"I am so proud to have been a part of reclaiming their place in history. And I will be forever grateful to have been allowed to spend time in the eye wateringly talented orbits of Sally and Suranne, and the incredible team of people who brought this story to your screens.
"Thank you for being such a kind, funny, creative and supportive fan base. I am overwhelmed by the love this show inspired. And PROUD. So fiercely proud."
An exact reason for Gentleman Jack's cancelation has not yet been given, but HBO did release a statement regarding the cancelation.
HBO said: "When we began this journey more than five years ago, we knew the series' creator Sally Wainwright had a uniquely compelling vision, and it's been tremendously gratifying to see how Anne Lister's journey has resonated with viewers.
"We are incredibly grateful to Sally, to the impeccable Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle, and to the entire cast and crew for bringing Anne and Ann's story to life.
"We'd also like to thank our partners at BBC and Lookout Point for their collaboration on two remarkable seasons."
The show was based on Lister's real diaries, which contained over 5 million words and over 27 volumes, so there was the potential for Season 3 to go ahead.
Speaking to Newsweek ahead of the Season 2 premiere, creator Sally Wainwright had shared her visions for Season 3, adding she would like to take the show right up to the end of Lister's life in September 1840. Unfortunately, this will not be the case.
Lister sadly died on September 22, 1840, of prolonged fever at the edge of the Russian Empire (in what is now Kutaisi, Georgia). She was 49 years old at the time of her death.
Wainwright shared: "In terms of seasons in Season 1 we covered 18 months and in season two, I think we've also covered 18 months, up to I think, September 1835ish, so Anne Lister is 43. She's got five or six more years before she dies.
"So I'm hoping I mean, I'd love to tell the rest of the story the rest of the life and beyond because it was very interesting the work of Anne Lister."
Season 2 of Gentleman Jack ended with both Anne Lister and Ann Walker finally coming together as a team to take down Captain Sutherland (Derek Riddle), who had been trying to take the Crow Nest estate and portray Lister as a master manipulator over her Walker.
However, things are not looking so good for Lister's relationship with her sister Marian (Gemma Whelan), after Lister seriously disapproved of her engagement to Mr. Abbott (John Hollingworth).
In fact, Lister disapproved so much, that she threatened to cut her sister off and as a result, Marian and their father (Timothy West) decided to leave Shibden Hall and Lister behind.
If you want to find out what happens next in the story of Anne Lister, you can read The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister, written by Helena Whitbread who helped decode the diaries over five years. You can also visit Lister's Shibden Hall Estate in Halifax, England.
Gentleman Jack is streaming on HBO Max and the BBC iPlayer now.
Update 07/08/22, 8:06 a.m. EDT: This article has been updated to include comment from Sophie Rundle.
About the writer
Molli Mitchell is a Senior SEO TV and Film Newsweek Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on ... Read more