Ellis series 3: Everything we know about Sharon D Clarke's possible return as DCI Ellis
What do we want? A series 3 of Ellis! When do we want it? Now!
Ellis series 2 has already come to an end after an all-too-brief four episodes and fans have been left wanting more – but is a series 3 on the cards?
Season 1 first landed in 2024 and received a very warm welcome from fans of detective dramas. At the time (and still) it was applauded for its groundbreaking use of a black woman in the lead role. Believe it or not, it was the UK’s first black solo female-led detective series. And about time, too.
With Olivier award-winning actress Sharon D Clarke at the helm, we knew we were in safe hands. The series was praised for its “elevated storytelling”, focusing on the “straight-talking” DCI who bought compassion to complex, failed investigations across the north of England.
After the success of series 1, Channel 5 and Acorn TV recommissioned the detective drama for a series 2. So is a series 3 of Ellis incoming? Here’s everything we know.
Is there a series 3 of Ellis?
Channel 5 has not yet confirmed if they’ll be a series 3 of Ellis, but we’ll eat DS Chet Harper’s entire hairspray collection if there isn’t.
Like series 1, the 2026 series has been a big hit with Channel 5 viewers. And there’s no reason why Sharon D Clarke shouldn’t be back as DCI Ellis.
In the series, DCI Ellis is a detective fighting a system rife with flaws. Series 3 would once again follow the tenacious cop who, along with her right-hand man DS Harper, is parachuted into failing investigations across the north of England.
Talking about the legacy of the detective drama, Sharon D Clarke said: “The thing I love the most about Ellis is that she is on our screens! I love playing Ellis because I didn’t grow up seeing anybody like her on my television screen. So that is my joy, that this is a first, and I am getting to lead that brigade and hopefully pass that baton on to people coming behind me. We’ve waited a long time, but we’re here, and we’re here to stay.”
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What’s the plot of series 3?
Although it is a bit too early to speculate about plot details for a possible series 3 of Ellis, we do know that the character changed from series 1 to series 2. So another series would surely see DCI Ellis evolve again.
Talking about Ellis, Sharon D Clarke told us: “She’s astute. She’s compassionate. But don’t mess with her. Ellis in series one was a loner. She was used to coming into failed, stalling investigations and being not wanted. But having DS Harper on board meant it’s not such a lonely place. It’s actually a much more fun place to be because they walk in as a team. So, she no longer walks in by herself, which is already making her feel stronger.”
Sharon added: “I feel they have really grown as a duo. From a personal perspective, when we left her in series one, we’d heard about her daughter Grace. We hadn’t really seen her, or what that relationship was doing to her. But, at the end of series one, Grace has been in contact. So there is a lightness in series two as regards to Ellis and that relationship with Grace, because Grace is in her life.
“What is quite telling about that is that Harper now knows Grace. He knows who she is, and they have their own relationship going on, which you can see as a viewer that behind the scenes, there has been a lot of growth. That’s a lot of fun to watch.”
‘Everybody loves a detective drama’
Explaining the appeal of Channel 5’s popular detective drama Ellis, actor Andrew Gower – who plays DS Chet Harper – said: “Everybody loves a detective drama. If we do one thing right in this country, it’s detective shows. And it’s Sharon D Clarke. Her career, and her mastery both on and off camera, really help.
“The power of the show, and the way we filmed it in series one, means we get 90 minutes with the characters – with Ellis and Harper, and also with the guest characters. And we’ve had some great guest characters join us in both series. We’ve got a lot to be proud of when it comes to our scenery, and Northern Ireland really offers that. It gives each episode a real backdrop and palette to play with.”
Of course, future series could well introduce DCI Ellis’ daughter Grace, who we haven’t met yet. And fans might even hope to see the return of DCI Chalmers… After all, he did give Ellis his number at the end of series 2!
When will it be released?
When and if Channel 5 recommission Ellis, it won’t return until at least 2027. Series 1 dropped in 2024, with series 2 arriving in 2026. So we’d be lucky to see it return before next year.
While series 1 was three feature-length episodes of 90-95 minutes, the most recent episodes came in a package of four one hour episodes.
If a series 3 of Ellis gets the green light, we’d love to see it return with more episodes! Channel 5, are you listening!?
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