The BBC’s ‘most underrated drama’ is set to return for a long-awaited third series – after three years off screen. 

The Capture, first broadcast in 2019, follows DCI Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) getting to the heart of a different mystery in each six-part series. 

The first series of the thriller saw the officer investigate an ex-soldier (Callum Turner) accused of murdering his barrister after being acquitted of war crimes in Afghanistan – but the CCTV apparently capturing his violence is not quite as it seems. 

A H๏τly anticipated follow-up in 2022 saw a rising star politician (Paapa Essiedu) embroiled in a similar deepfake scandal – which the detective must expose. 

Fans doubted whether the surveillance thriller, created by BAFTA-winning Ben Chanan, would return to screens for a third series, after no word on the matter for some time. 

But around three years after the last instalment, it has been confirmed new episodes are in production, with the exact release date still to be determined.

The BBC’s ‘most underrated drama’ is set to return for a long-awaited third series – after three years off screen

The Capture, first broadcast in 2019, follows DCI Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) getting to the heart of a different mystery in each six-part series

The first series of the thriller saw the officer investigate an ex-soldier (Callum Turner, left) accused of murdering his barrister

The new series is set one year on from the events of the previous season, which saw DCI Carey expose the UK intelligence service for using a video manipulation programme to distribute deepfake footage. 

During an inquiry into its unlawful use, she steps into a more senior role, increasingly focused on a dedicated initiative to regain public trust in surveillance technology. 

But after a high-profile terror attack, which has just one witness, the detective is once again tested on who or what she can trust, as she tries to uncover just how deep the conspiracy really runs. 

The BBC synopsis read: ‘How do you protect the truth, in a world where lies are daily currency? And with the proliferation of deepfakes, how can we trust what we see?’  

Some stellar cast members will return for the new instalment, including British actors Indira Varma (Game of Thrones) and Ben Miles (The Crown and Coupling), with long-time Guillermo del Toro collaborator, American actor Ron Perlman. 

Irish actor Killian Scott, known for 2024 Netflix dark comedy Kaos, is one of several set to join the cast – but he will have a particularly ‘pivotal role’, the BBC said. 

Of her return as DCI Carey, Holliday said: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining The Capture team once more for series three. 

‘Ben Chanan’s scripts are as electrifying as ever and I’m excited to be stepping back into ‘Commander’ Rachel Carey’s world. (Spoiler alert!)’ 

A H๏τly anticipated follow-up in 2022 saw a rising star politician (Paapa Essiedu, pictured) embroiled in a similar deepfake scandal – which the detective must expose

Some stellar cast members will return for the new instalment, including British actors Indira Varma (Game of Thrones) and Ben Miles, pictured (The Crown and Coupling)

The new series is set a year on from the events of the previous season, which saw DCI Carey expose the UK intelligence service for using a video manipulation programme 

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Killian commented: ‘I think Ben has created something really special with The Capture, a modern espionage thriller that feels both authentic and immensely captivating. 

‘I feel incredibly lucky to be joining the team for season three.’ 

After The Capture was added to Netflix in January this year, it soon began to steadily climb the charts. 

It boasts a whopping 96 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes – and has developed somewhat of a cult fanbase, with fans expressing their appreciation on X. 

One said: ‘The Capture is such an underrated BBC series. So far-fetched but brilliant.’ 

Another added: ‘BBC dramas are so underrated. The Capture is so good.’ 

Someone else said: ‘I just finished watching season two of The Capture (BBC/Netflix) and the writers were way ahead of their time because look at what AI is doing now.’ 

Similarly, one commented: ‘If you haven’t seen it already, BBC One’s The Capture is now on Netflix. Absolutely brilliant show about deepfake videos and surveillance.’

It boasts a whopping 96 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes (pictured)

The show has developed somewhat of a cult fanbase, with fans expressing their appreciation on X 

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Fears around deepfake technology – clips, pictures or audio that have been manipulated, often very convincingly – have increased in recent years, with rising public awareness of artificial intelligence (AI). 

The programme’s creator Ben told Radio Times in 2023 he felt the series spoke powerfully to those current issues: ‘I think that the world of deep fakes and fake news and AI, it keeps developing. 

‘I think we went quite far with in terms of what the hell could happen next, in terms of the sort of fear of what could happen.’ 

As to the possibility of a third series, he said at the time: ‘I think we went quite far across the two series, and I almost feel sometimes like I need to take a minute and wait for the news to catch up or for predictions, nightmare predictions of what’s next.

‘Because it’s not so much a futuristic thing, it’s kind of a what’s happening now thing, and so part of me feels like I need to take a break and unfortunately wait to see where the news takes us and where the world takes us and then respond.’ 

It comes after it was announced another popular BBC drama is set to return to screens for the ‘most high-stakes series yet’. 

Filming for the hit series Vigil is due to begin later this year in Scotland, with the third instalment of the police show airing in 2026.

The Emmy-winning programme stars Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre.

It comes after it was announced another popular BBC drama Vigil (pictured) is set to return to screens for the ‘most high-stakes series yet’ 

It follows the two detectives as they tackle a case at a remote Arctic research station where a member of a British special forces mission was killed.

Nominated for a BAFTA in 2022, the new series is set to be packed full of action and cast members are buzzing to begin production.

Rose said: ‘I can’t wait to get stuck into another season of Vigil, to work with the wonderful Suranne Jones again and our brilliant crew.

‘And this time, Kirsten will get to pack her bags and join Amy on what’s set to be Vigil’s most high-stakes mission yet!’

Suranne added: ‘I can’t wait to return to Vigil series three, see our brilliant team in Scotland and work with Rose again. I’m sure it will be a thrill of a ride.’

The Capture is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.