Sky Original Production Commissions Finale Series Of Fortitute

Sky Original Production, Fortitude, has been announced to return to Sky Atlantic for a third and final series.

The commission demonstrates Sky's commitment to offering customers more high-quality original programming and follows the announcement of Catherine the Great and Curfew. All three Sky Original Productions start filming this year.

A four-part mini-series, the third trip to Fortitude will feature returning key cast including Dennis Quaid (Far from Heaven), Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones), Sienna Guillory (Stan Lee's Lucky Man), Luke Treadaway (A Street Cat Named Bob), Alexandra Moen (Strike Back), Mia Jexen (Happiness) and Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson (Jar City), as well as some new faces to be announced at a later date.

This series picks up where the second finished with the death of Governor Munk hanging over the town. Two new police officers are in town from Oslo, sent to Fortitude to investigate the murder, and soon learn the inhabitants of the most staggeringly beautiful place on earth have a lot to overcome…

Star of Fortitude Richard Dormer said: "I can't wait to get back to this place. I love this world. A brilliant cast and crew. Returning to Fortitude always feels like coming home. And my old friend Dan is waiting for me. And he's just got this big grin on his face."
Sky's head of drama Anne Mensah also said: "We know fans of Fortitude all over the world really love this show and we can't wait to welcome it back. Simon Donald's created this four-hour special event, which is the perfect ending to the most enigmatic, surprising, shocking and emotional series we've ever had on Sky Atlantic."

Series creator Simon Donald said: "Fortitude has gripped my imagination like an icy blast to the heart. It's wonderful to be back for a last dance under the blizzard stars in the cold, dark night and find out who lives, who dies and who goes completely, barking arctic crazy..."

1.4 million viewers tuned in to each episode of the second series last year, which was described as "wholly immersive" by The Observer and "stunning and brilliantly acted" by Empire. Not only a huge hit in the UK, Fortitude has also been enjoyed by millions around the world. Series one and two have been sold to more than 200 broadcasters internationally, making it Sky Vision's bestselling programme.

2017 was a record-breaking year for Sky Original Productions and entertainment on Sky, which included Sky's best-performing original series to date in Riviera. This year, Sky will bring customers over 50 Sky Original Productions, including 24 returning series and brand-new commissions, such as the most recommended television show of 2018 in Britannia, which launched last week on Sky Atlantic.

Sky Original Productions feature some of the best names in the UK industry and in 2018 British talent on screen across Sky channels includes Idris Elba, Benedict Cumberbatch, Suranne Jones, Lennie James, James Nesbitt, David Morrissey, Dawn French, Noel Clarke, Ashley Walters and more.

Fortitude is written by Simon Donald (Low Winter Sun) and executive producers for Fifty Fathoms are Patrick Spence (The A Word, Guerrilla), Simon Donald, Dennis Quaid (The Art of More). Sky's head of drama Anne Mensah is executive producer for Sky. The third series will be produced by Andrew Wood (Will), directed by Kieron Hawkes (Strike) with production design by Paul Spriggs (The A Word).

Fortitude is commissioned for Sky by head of drama Anne Mensah and Sky's director of programmes Zai Bennett. Sky Vision will handle distribution rights. Fortitude will be filmed at Bristol production base The Bottle Yard Studios and on location in Svalbard, where Simon Donald found his original inspiration for the series.