Theo James will not return for Sanditon season 2, which is a huge disappointment for fans of PBS Masterpiece series. Based upon Jane Austen’s unfinished novel, Sanditon aired in the UK in 2019 and in the United States in January 2020. Despite developing a devoted following, Sanditon was soon canceled due to low ratings, but the series recently received a surprise renewal for seasons 2 and 3 beginning in 2022.

However, the joy of Sanditon‘s resurrection was undercut by Underwood star Theo James announcing that he would not return for seasons 2 and 3. In Sanditon season 1, James played the brooding hero Sidney Parker opposite Rose Williams’ Charlotte Heywood. When the innocent Charlotte came to the seaside resort town of Sanditon and met its fascinating cast of wealthy gentry, most of whom were hiding secrets, Sidney was the person who challenged and confused Charlotte the most. The pair inevitably fell in love but didn’t declare their feelings until the final episode — after Sidney decided he had to marry a wealthy heiress in order to financially rescue his family.

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Sanditon season 1 ended with Sidney and Charlotte apart and she left the resort town to return home. Suffice to say, it was not the happy ending that Jane Austen fans were used to. Charlotte and Sidney not getting together left the audience frustrated and Sanditon‘s cancelation was salt in the wound. Now, with Sanditon season 2’s release date on the horizon, Theo James’ absence will be all the more noticeable.

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Theo James Isn’t Returning For Sanditon Season 2

Not long after Sanditon seasons 2 and 3 were announced, Theo James released a statement that he would not be part of the series going forward, which was a crushing disappointment to fans. Despite the fact that Sidney Parker was always meant to return in Sanditon season 2 and beyond, plans will now have to shift due to Theo James’ exit. Unfortunately, this will mean definitively ending the romance between Mr. Parker and Miss Heywood.

Why Theo James Isn’t Returning For Sanditon Season 2

While unplanned actor exits are often due to scheduling or creative conflicts, Theo James’ departure from Sanditon season 2 and beyond has more to do with Sidney Parker’s character arc, much like Bridgerton season 2’s Regé-Jean Page exit. Here’s how Theo James framed things in his statement:

“Although I relished playing Sidney, for me, I’ve always maintained that his journey concluded as I wanted it to. The broken fairytale-like ending between Charlotte and Sidney is different, unique and so interesting to me and I wish the cast and crew of Sanditon every success with future series.”

Ironically, the very thing that upset audiences at the end of Sanditon season 1, the failure of Sidney and Charlotte’s romance, is the main reasoning behind Theo James’ departure. James actually lauds the “broken fairytale-like ending” between Sidney and Charlotte, and his desire to preserve this ending is the main reason he won’t return for Sanditon season 2. Although it is a unique and interesting resolution for a Jane Austen tale, however, it also sabotages the emotional investment fans made in Charlotte and Sidney in Sanditon season 1.

What To Expect From Sanditon Season 2

Theo James not returning as Sidney in Sanditon season 2 also curtails the original plan of the show’s producers, who were well-aware of the negative reaction season 1’s break-up elicited and intended to bring Charlotte and Sidney back together in season 2. Producer Belinda Campbell (who’s worked on other British drama shows like Death in Paradise) has revealed that Sidney and Charlotte’s story was always meant to continue if Sanditon was picked up for season 2. Instead, Sanditon was canceled, leaving Miss Heywood and Mr. Parker’s romance unfinished, a permanent problem now that Theo James isn’t joining Sanditon season 2.

When Charlotte returns to Sanditon in season 2, it will ignite new romances and possibilities. While the promise of the new has its intrigue, Sidney and Charlotte’s “broken fairytale” is a bitter pill fans will have to swallow. Sidney Parker could possibly be recast, but fans would likely reject another actor stepping into the role Theo James embodied. Launching a new romance for Charlotte with a different leading man would be the wiser move, but it would also make dramatic sense for Sanditon season 2 to show Miss Heywood still coping with the loss of Sidney so that the character and the fans can commiserate.

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About The Author


John Orquiola
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John Orquiola is a Features staff writer and interviewer who has been with Screen Rant for five years. He began as a director’s assistant on various independent films. As a lover of film and film theory, John wrote humorous movie reviews on his blog, Back of the Head, which got him noticed by Screen Rant. John happily became the Star Trek guy at Screen Rant and he leads Feature coverage of the various Star Trek series, but he also writes about a wide range of subjects from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to Cobra Kai. His other great nerdy love is British TV series like The Crown, Downton Abbey, and Killing Eve. John can be found on Twitter @BackoftheHead if you want to see photos of the food he eats.

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