Whitechapel Series 3

[Perdita]

Rupert Penry-Jones, Phil Davis and Steve Pemberton have begun filming on the third series of ITV1's hit drama series Whitechapel.

The Carnival Films production will have a six-episode run and has been described by producer David Boulter as "bigger and bolder" than ever.

"Gruesome present day investigations summon the ghosts of the past, screaming and restless," said Boulter. "Chandler's team must decipher their relevance, for history can be unreliable: convincing and confusing in equal measure. These new Whitechapel stories are dark, compelling and full of surprises."

Executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle said: "I am delighted we are getting the chance to tell brand new Whitechapel stories but this time as a series. The East End of London is steeped in history, secrets and gore and we now have the opportunity to take Chandler, Miles and Buchan to places darker still. If you thought the Ripper and Krays were scary, just wait."

"Whitechapel is a striking and distinctive crime drama that has struck a real chord with the ITV1 audience," added ITV director of drama Laura Mackie. "The longer run will allow us to tell an even richer range of stories from the Whitechapel area."

Whitechapel was voted among Digital Spy's Top 25 shows of 2009 and 2010.

[Perdita]

Transmission date tbc


Series overview:

Chandler, Miles and the team investigate a series of bizarre and macabre murders that set them on edge. A darkness pervades their cases; something unsettling, something that lurks in the shadows that makes you not want to turn out the lights. Buchan is challenged to use his extraordinary resource of archive material to find historical precedents. Can he give the team the edge over a series of ruthless and cunning adversaries?

This series touches on historical precedents such as witchcraft, cold war espionage, ghoulish Victorian surgeons, cryptozoology and hidden horrors in the East End’s underground tunnels. The history of Whitechapel as a centre of evil comes to the fore. The world remains a shadowy, gothic place, infused with history, dripping with the blood of the past. In Whitechapel, history isn’t dead, it’s deadly.

Cast:

DI Joseph Chandler - Rupert Penry-Jones
DS Ray Miles - Phil Davis
Edward Buchan - Steve Pemberton
DC Emerson Kent - Sam Stockman
DC Finley Mansell - Ben Bishop
DC Megan Riley - Hannah Walters
Dr Llewellyn - Claire Rushbrook

Episode one:

The series begins at a party for the launch of Buchan’s first book: ‘A History of Murder in Whitechapel’. The team attend for moral support and among the other guests of avid crime fans is a little old lady. She makes pointed comments to the team which sour the evening somewhat, especially when she reminds Chandler that he has yet to make a conviction – a very sore point.

Chandler and Miles are called to investigate a bizarre murder after a vagrant is slowly crushed to death by stones. The killer's macabre methods are investigated by the team, and as things unravel to reveal a more ominous possibility, they consider a sinister 16th century precedent.

Shortly after the first murder a second body is found, again the victim of a grotesque death. Why such horrific executions? Could it be that someone is killing witches in Whitechapel?

As the mania of a witchhunt takes hold, Chandler is determined to catch the murderer. But the team's progress is impeded as links to 20th Century espionage attract attention from the security services. Buchan’s archive research helps shed light on a conspiracy which goes far wider than they first thought. Old scores are settled as dark forces are at play in Whitechapel.

There also seems to be a malign influence at work at the heart of the team. The station itself is pulsing with an unexplained phenomenon. Even hard-bitten Miles begins to ask questions of faith, hearing sounds and following unexplained footsteps. Is nowhere safe....? And who or what is really behind the evil that surfaces in Whitechapel?

[Perdita]

11th September

Episode two:

Someone is killing witches in Whitechapel and Chandler is determined to catch them. As the mania of a witchhunt takes hold is there also a malign influence at work at the heart of the team?

The station itself seems to pulse with unexplained phenomenon and even hard-bitten Miles begins to ask questions. Is nowhere safe....? And who or what is really behind the evil that surfaces in Whitechapel?

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2nd October

Episode five:

Buchan, understandably shaken, struggles to get back to normal after his close call – coming face to face with a killer. Riley also wavers under the weight of her own issues as her infected hand worsens.

The team ventures beneath the streets of Whitechapel searching the sewers after a butchered runner is found with missing vital organs. Is Buchan’s hunch correct - have they got a souvenir killer on their hands? Or are the Black Swine, mutated sewer pigs of urban legend, to blame for these grizzly deaths?

Mansell is on the edge of self destruction thanks to Kent medalling in his relationship. Will it be set right before Mansell’s emotions get the better of him?

As Miles continues to be taunted by an unknown force in the station, he decides to investigate further, certain there must be a ‘normal’ explanation.

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[Perdita]

Whitechapel star Rupert Penry-Jones has revealed that ITV has cancelled the show.

The actor, who played DI Joseph Chandler in the detective drama, broke the news to his followers on Twitter yesterday (November 16).

Jon East, who directed several episodes of the show's last two series, responded: "We went out on a bang! Shame nevertheless, it was on a great roll, a terrific cast & crew firing on all cylinders. So, onwards!!!!!"

Whitechapel, which also starred Phil Davis and Steve Pemberton, has aired four series since its debut in February 2009. Its last episode aired in October.

Penry-Jones also appears alongside Maxine Peake in legal drama Silk.