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'Gentleman Jack': Renewal for second season, cast, trailer and everything you need to know about HBO's new queer period drama

HBO's new queer period drama 'Gentleman Jack' is based on a real story, has some incredible actors in the cast and it looks funny as hell!

If period dramas fascinate you but you hate that you don't see women taking center stage in it, HBO's new drama 'Gentleman Jack' may just be the one for you. This story is centered around a woman who is determined to break the wheel, find love, and make a mark in a man's world, all the while trying to keep herself as grounded as possible. 

Release date

'Gentleman Jack' begins its eight-episode season on Monday, April 22 at 10 pm ET/PT on HBO.

Plot

Set in the complex, changing world of 1832 Halifax, West Yorkshire, the cradle of the evolving Industrial Revolution, 'Gentleman Jack' focuses on landowner Anne Lister (Suranne Jones), who is determined to transform the fate of her faded ancestral home, Shibden Hall, by reopening the coal mines and marrying well. She's charismatic, single-minded and daring and dresses head-to-toe in black. She charms her way into high society only to fall in love with one of the ladies.

The story is a journey that looks at romantic love and family as well as the biases of society with a dose of humor as only 'Gentleman Jack' can.  The story is actually based in historical fact, the real-life Anne Lister's story was recorded in the four million words of her diaries, and the most intimate details of her life, once hidden in a secret code, have been decoded and revealed for the series.

Cast

Sophie Rundle as Ann Walker

Sophie Rundle plays Ann Lister's prospective wife, the beautiful, smart and sensitive heiress Ann Walker. Rundle is best known for portraying Ada Shelby in the BBC One historical crime drama television series 'Peaky Blinders', and as Vicky Budd in the BBC television series 'Bodyguard'.

 Gemma Whelan as Marian

Gemma Whelan plays Marian, Ann Lister's sister who is constantly worried about her sister's tricks and decision and tries her best to make her behave normally. Whelan is an English actress and comedian, known for playing the badass warrior Yara Greyjoy in the HBO fantasy-drama series 'Game of Thrones'.

The cast also stars Timothy West as Jeremy Lister, the sisters' father; and Gemma Jones as Aunt Anne Lister, Derek Riddell ('Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald'), Veronica Clifford ('Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'), Sylvia Syms ('The Queen'), Brendan Patricks ('Downton Abbey'), Caspar Phillipson ('Jackie'), Lucy Black ('The Durrells in Corfu'), Stephanie Hyam ('Peaky Blinders'), Dino Fetscher ('Humans'), Rupert Vansittart ('Game of Thrones'), and Michael Xavier ('Northern Rescue'), among others.

Created by

'Gentleman Jack' is created, written and co-directed by Sally Wainwright. Her previous works include 'Happy Valley,' 'Last Tango in Halifax'  and 'Unforgiven'. She is a five-time BAFTA award winner for her work.

Trailers

The trailer shows an incredibly smart Miss Lister going about town minding her own business, trying to run things as she sees fit and running into walls because she's a woman. There's also a glimpse into Lister's love life and how she courts Walker — in the same way she does everything else — as a man would. A very catchy, funny and incredibly well-written trailer gives us a peek into why we should probably make it a point to not give it a miss — it is hilarious, sensitive, touching and brave all at the same time. 

News

HBO just announced that a second season for Gentleman Jack has been ordered. “We’re thrilled that Anne Lister’s story has resonated so powerfully with audiences in the U.S. and abroad, and we’re grateful to Sally Wainwright and the entire “Gentleman Jack” family for bringing her story to life,” says Francesca Orsi, executive vice president, HBO Drama Programming. “Anne’s journey is an important and courageous one and we can’t wait to share this next season with the world.”

Where to watch

The series will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and partners' streaming platforms.

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