The BBC has taken a major hit as ratings for Sherwood have taken a big dive since 2022.
The detective series, starring David Morrissey and Lesley Manville, has wrapped up its second season. The first series was a major success, drawing 6.19 million viewers when it premiered in June 2022 and quickly becoming one of the UK’s top new dramas that year.
However, the latest season has struggled to maintain the momentum. Monday night’s episode saw a significant drop in viewership, with only 3.7 million viewers tuning in. This is a huge drop from the 5 million who watched the season one finale.
The new episodes focused on the Sparrows, with two families getting caught up in their drama and old rivalries resurfacing. Alongside familiar faces like David Morrissey, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Lesley Manville, the new cast included Monica Dolan, David Harewood, and Sharlene Whyte.
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Despite the drop in viewership, some fans have been satisfied with the show's ending. One person said: “Blimey... #Sherwood has done it again. What an episode. Lorraine Ashbourne deserves all of the awards for her performance this series. Soul destroying stuff. That scene with Daphne & Mickey at the table was perfect. That ending.”
A second person wrote: “So many amazing performances but what a joy to have THREE women over 55 knocking it out of the park on a prime time drama.” A third person added: “Sherwood has to be one of the best TV shows in a long time. I feel like I’ve lived through the drama with them. Extraordinary.”
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Although it's not confirmed whether the show will return for another season, screenwriter James Graham hinted that it’s a strong possibility. He told Radio Times: "Those conversations always happen around about now as a new series comes out and you start asking questions as creatives and the BBC about what the appetite is for another series."
"So, those conversations are happening with absolutely no clarity from me in my head about what that would be if it was. You’re right, what I get really excited about if we were to continue is just the freedom I have as a writer to say goodbye to characters – which would be really sad – or to even bring back characters that I’ve said goodbye to this series but I’ve got a new idea for them.”
