HBO, BBC renew Gentleman Jack

US premium cablenet HBO and UK pubcaster the BBC have renewed period drama series Gentleman Jack for a second season, following the first run’s recent debut.

Gentleman Jack stars Suranne Jones (left) and Sophie Rundle

Created, written and co-directed by Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax) and starring Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster, Save Me), season one of Gentleman Jack premiered in April in the US and aired its first episode in the UK last Sunday.

The eight-episode first run concludes on June 10 in the US and on July 7 in the UK.

Gentleman Jack, produced by Lookout Point, follows the real-life story of Anne Lister (Jones), an English landowner living in 19th century Halifax, West Yorkshire, who chronicled her daily life in a series of diaries.

The diaries include details of Lister’s business activities as the Industrial Revolution gathers pace and details of her same-sex relationships. She was often referred to as ‘Gentleman Jack’ due to her sexuality.

Sophie Rundle (Bodyguard, Peaky Blinders) co-stars as Lister’s love interest, Ann Walker. Wainwright, Faith Penhale, Laura Lankester and Ben Irving exec produce.