Save Me could return for series 3

Fans of Sky Atlantic’s Save Me have waited two years to see more of the acclaimed London-set thriller created by and starring Lennie James. Six new episodes are almost upon us, with series two due to launch as a Sky boxset on Wednesday the 1^st of April. 

And according to James, that might not the the last of it.

“I don’t feel quite than I’m finished with these characters,” James told assembled press at an online Q&A held for the second series press launch. (The planned London screening event was moved online due to the global spread of COVID-19). 

When asked if a third series, or more stories from the Save Me characters was a possibility, James answered “yes and yes.”

“I’m putting it all together, well trying to, in my head. In all honesty, I’m not quite there yet but yes, I do have thoughts about carrying on the story because as I said, this was always an idea for a returning television series, and I don’t feel quite that I’m finished with these characters.”

Series one saw Nelly, a lost soul loudmouth and a fixture in his local South-East London estate pub, drawn into the search for his estranged teenage daughter. Her disappearance kick-starts a journey for Nelly. Essentially it’s a story, says James, about “a man’s self-discovery and redemption, whether he likes it or not!”

One of Save Me’s greatest assets is its terrific ensemble cast, which includes Stephen Graham, Susan Lynch, Jason Flemyng, Thomas Coombes, Suranne Jones, Remmie Milner and more. If the story were to continue beyond the second series, it would have to involve the whole crowd, James insists.

“It’s got to be an idea that encompasses all the characters, it’s not just about the continuing adventures of Nelly and his search for his child. It is also about what that search or what that journey does to the people around him.”

“I can finalise [an idea] that brings the gang, yeah, absolutely.” 

Series two is set to welcome Oscar-nominated actor Lesley Manville (Mum, Harlots) into the Save Me fold, in the role of Jennifer, a woman who discovers that her 30-year marriage hides some very dark secrets. We’ll bring you more on series two closer to launch.

All six episodes of Save Me Too arrive on Sky and NOW TV on Wednesday 1^st April.