Sally Wainwright’s “Gentleman Jack” is almost back for Season 2 on HBO.
The Suranne Jones-starring show about real-life historical figure Anne Lister — who lived in Yorkshire in the 1800s, and who was known not only for defying societal stereotypes about women and business, style of dress, and all manner of things, and who kept a coded diary of her romances with women — returns next month, HBO confirmed Thursday. The network also dropped a brand new teaser.
In the video clip, someone calls Anne “gentleman Jack” to her back, a nickname she got for her style of dress, prompting a shocked face from Jones.
It also hints at the drama ahead across its eight episode second season as Anne and her wife, the wealthy Ann Walker (they said vows together at home), as they try to carry out their relationship in private, but with society trying to invade their business.
Here’s the logline for Season 2: Yorkshire, 1834. All eyes are on Anne Lister and Ann Walker (Sophie Rundle) as they set up home together at Shibden Hall as wife and wife, determined to combine their estates and become a power couple. Anne Lister’s entrepreneurial spirit frightens the locals as much as her unconventional love life and, with Halifax on the brink of revolution, her refusal to keep a low profile becomes provocative and dangerous.
Season 2 is based on Lister’s real diaries, and historical facts about her.
The series also stars “Game of Thrones” alum Gemma Whelan as Anne’s sister Marian. The Lister family is completed by Gemma Jones as Aunt Anne Lister and Timothy West as Jeremy Lister.
The cast is rounded out by Jodhi May (Lady Vere Cameron), Katherine Kelly (Elizabeth Sutherland), Derek Riddell (Captain George Sutherland), Stephanie Cole (Aunt Ann Walker), Peter Davison (William Priestley), Amelia Bullmore (Eliza Priestley), Vincent Franklin (Christopher Rawson), Shaun Dooley (Jeremiah Rawson), Rosie Cavaliero (Elizabeth Cordingley), Joe Armstrong (Samuel Washington), Anthony Flanagan (Ben Sowden) and George Costigan (James Holt).
Wainwright and Jones are executive producers alongside Faith Penhale, Will Johnston and Ben Irving. Phil Collinson and Stella Merz are producers. Season 2 directors are Edward Hall, Amanda Brotchie and Fergus O’Brien. It is produced by Lookout Point for HBO and BBC One.
