Gentleman Jack starring Suranne Jones commissioned for second series

Gentleman Jack, which follows the “first modern lesbian” Anne Lister, has been commissioned for a second season.

Starring Suranne Jones as the Regency-era landowner, the first episode drew in an average overnight audience of 5.1 million on Sunday, making it the most successful launch for a new BBC drama this year.

Jones described the commission as “amazing and positive news” and praised her “brilliant and talented” co-star Sophie Rundle – of Peaky Blinders fame – who plays Ann Walker.

“I’m so thrilled that I will be joining Sally Wainwright on the second part of Anne’s journey,” she said. “We always dreamed there would be more and now we get to play it all out.

“I love working with the brilliant and talented Sophie Rundle and can’t wait to create some more Lister and Walker moments with her too.”

Written by Sally Wainwright, the series follows Lister’s life through the use of her real life diaries, some of which were written in code.

Wainwright said: “It’s so exciting that so many people have had such a positive response to Suranne’s exuberant performance as the brilliant, life-affirming Anne Lister and to Sophie’s beautiful performance as her courageous partner, Ann Walker.

“I’m utterly delighted that we’ve been recommissioned, because there are so many more big, bold stories to tell about Anne Lister and Ann Walker. A massive thank you to the BBC and HBO and to everyone at Lookout Point.”

The show also stars Gemma Whelan as Marian Lister, Gemma Jones as Aunt Anne Lister and Timothy West as Jeremy Lister.

Gentleman Jack is on BBC One, Sunday at 9pm