The lesbian historical drama Gentleman Jack’s loyal fan following was in disbelief when HBO abruptly cancelled it after only two seasons. Sally Wainwright, the series’ creator, offered some encouragement to disgruntled viewers by saying that Ann and Anne’s love story can still continue if the show can find a new plot.
In an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com, Wainwright, who wrote, directed, and produced the programme, stated that the BBC has expressed interest in continuing with Gentleman Jack, but that the show requires a new streaming partner to continue. It would be necessary to locate a new streaming provider willing to offer the historical drama, which is a co-production between HBO and the BBC and is set in Yorkshire in the nineteenth century form to stream it internationally.
Wainwright said, “If HBO had been up for it, there’d have been no question,” Wainwright said about a third season for Gentleman Jack. “It’s been a very successful show in all areas for them , it’s had fantastic reviews, it’s had a very respectable audience and on top of that it’s had an impact on the community of gay women. We have the most extraordinary fanbase.”
Gentleman Jack follows Suranne Jones as Anne, a character who desires to live her life according to her own terms and is inspired by Anne Lister’s actual diaries. Her connections with women were documented in the code-written journals. She embarks on a quest to renovate her uncle’s estate in 1832, but what begins as a series of adventures and a romance with Ann Walker turns out to be a trailblazing endeavour for the LGBTQ+ community.
In response to the cancellation, Jones posted a clip of season two bloopers on Instagram and then listed the statues and plaques that have been erected in Lister’s honour since the show’s inception in honour of him. She captioned it, “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.”
