Sky1 strikes back again

UK satcaster Sky1 has commissioned a third season of counter terrorism drama Strike Back for broadcast next year.

The show, produced by Left Bank Pictures, will return to the channel for 10 new episodes. Filming is due to begin in South Africa in early 2012.

The third season will be another coproduction between Sky and Cinemax/HBO, after the two broadcasters came together for the first time on season two, Strike Back: Project Dawn.

Season one was inspired by the novel of the same name by former soldier Chris Ryan.

The series was commissioned by Sky’s head of drama, Anne Mensah, and will be exec-produced for Sky by Huw Kennair-Jones. Left Bank’s Andy Harries will return as executive producer, along with series producer Michael Casey and head of production Marigo Kehoe.

Sky and HBO last year struck an exclusive UK and Ireland output deal for the launch of diginet Sky Atlantic this year.

Forthcoming drama on Sky1 includes Treasure Ireland, produced by RHI Entertainment, and BBC Worldwide-backed Sinbad.