Sky original anarchic drama Britannia set to return for a third series

Critically acclaimed Sky original drama Britannia, starring David Morrissey, Mackenzie Crook, Annabel Scholey and Eleanor Worthington-Cox has been recommissioned for a third series on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV. Created by the multi-award-winning writer Jez Butterworth, Tom Butterworth and James Richardson. Britannia brings a moment of our history to life like never seen before on TV. It’s a tale of clashing faith systems, torn apart families, mystic men, powerful women, all told with humour, heart and violence. 

 

Britannia series two launched in November with The Times calling it “camp, ironic and funny,” adding “…few shows embrace their own preposterousness quite as wonderfully as Jez Butterworth drama about the Roman conquest of Britain. Whilst The Guardian said it was “…one of those shows you just have to imbibe, celebrating that it has the sheer cheek even to exist. Praise the capricious TV gods!”

 

Series one of Britannia told the story of the Roman army lead by General Aulus (David Morrissey) who returned to crush the Celtic heart of Britannia, a mysterious land led by warrior women and powerful Druids.  In series two written by Jez Butterworth, Tom Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth, we joined General Aulus two years on from invading Britannia romanising willing Celt tribes with the help of Celtic Queen Amena (Annabel Scholey), and crushing those who tried to resist. The only form of hope for the Druids and Celts was Cait (Eleanor Worthington-Cox), a young girl being trained by outcast Druid Divis (played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas), to fulfil a prophecy that would save Britannia from the Romans.  But an epic battle of wills divided the druids in the form of two Druid brothers – Veran and Harka (Mackenzie Crook) putting the prophecy in jeopardy.

 

Series three will bring fans straight back into the genre-bending, psychedelic world of Britannia and the characters they have grown to know and love. Fans can expect a more action-packed visceral experience than season one and two with even more humour, violence and heart. Every character goes on a new journey none more so than Cait, who goes on radical transformation as ‘The Chosen One’. She will abandon and then reclaim her destiny but only on her terms. Cait’s decision will tie her to the future of her people, beginning with a quest she leads to claim a sacred spear that will unite both the Druids and the divided tribes. Her problem is Aulus wants the spear too and Aulus’ problem is his wife does too. 

 

Cameron Roach, Director of Drama, Sky Studios said: “We are incredibly proud to be able to continue to grow the Britannia franchise bringing Jez ‘s and the team’s bold, unique and distinctive vision to life for a third series”.

 

Jez Butterworth added: We’re very excited to be continuing our mythic journey through Ancient Britain.  This year was a particularly good vintage for magic mushrooms here in the West Country, so we strongly suggest you hold on to your hats.”

 

Britannia series three was commissioned by Zai Bennett, Sky’s Managing Director of Content and Cameron Roach, Sky’s Director of Drama. Gabriel Silver is the executive producer for the series for Sky. Series three is written by Jez, Tom and John-Henry Butterworth. Produced by Rupert Ryle-Hodges and executive produced by Vertigo Films’ James Richardson; and Neal Street Production’s Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown with Jez and Tom Butterworth

 

Sky has recently committed to more than double its investment in original drama, comedy and documentary through Sky Studios, the commissioning and production arm of Sky. Sky Studios brings to screen unique stories from the very best talent in Europe and is the creative home of Sky’s award-winning and much-loved Sky originals.

 

Sky originals current roster includes Catherine The Great starring Helen Mirren; COBRA starring Robert Carlyle and Victoria Hamilton; a second series of Save Me starring Lennie James and Suranne Jones. 2019 was a record year for Sky originals with Chernobyl winning 10 Emmy Awards making it the most awarded British series of the year and  just recently two Golden Globes at the Golden Globes Awards which took place in January 2020. Away from the screen, Sky secured a record BAFTA haul with seven awards. 

 

International distribution is being led by NBCUniversal Global Distribution

 

 

Notes to editors

More for information please contact skypress@sky.uk. 

About Sky

With 24 million customers across seven countries, Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group. Our 31,000 employees help connect our customers with the very best of Sports, News, the arts and to our own local, original content. Following the success of Sky originals like Chernobyl, Patrick Melrose, Das Boot and Gomorrah we launched Sky Studios and now plan to more than double our investment in original drama and comedy over the next five years.

Our technology allows customers to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, and as we connect millions of families to content they love, it is our responsibility to do it safely – that’s why we offer services like Sky Broadband Buddy and the Sky Kids app. And our online streaming service, NOW TV, brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service.

 

We also believe that a company of our scale has a responsibility that goes beyond our business, and into the community. Our Sky Ocean Rescue campaign has reached millions across Europe, we’re on track to be free of single-use plastic by 2020, we’re investing £25million over five years in ocean-saving tech and we’re a proud employer – recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our approach to inclusivity.

 

About NOW TV

 

NOW TV is a pick and mix TV streaming service that lets you choose from a range of passes contract free. Available anytime, anywhere in the UK, you can watch through a NOW TV Box or NOW TV Smart Stick, or on the web. The NOW TV app is also available on over 60 devices. 

Whether you’re into big dramas, blockbuster movies, live sports or even just some extra TV for the kids, NOW TV offers four passes which include the latest and best TV and movies: Entertainment, Sky Cinema, Kids and Sky Sports. This includes Sky Atlantic, over 300 Box Sets on demand, all 10 Sky Sports channels and over 1,000 movies – all available with no contract. 

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