Cast say goodbye to ‘The Musketeers’.
BBC One drama The Musketeers is to end with the third and final series, it has been confirmed.
The news may not come as too much of a surprise to fans who have been wondering when the third series – which consists of ten episodes and usually airs Dec/Jan – will air following its commission in February 2015.
Executive producer Jessica Pope said, “Season 3 of The Musketeers completes this 30-hour series with ambition and energy. It is packed with action and adventure, fun and drama from the very first opening seconds of episode one to the very end.
“It is a season that will delight its fans and pay off everything they have come to love about the show. Bigger in scale and more serialised than before, it has been real privilege and a joy to produce such a fabulous piece of entertainment for the BBC.”
The series stars Luke Pasqualino, Tom Burke, Santiago Cabrera and Howard Charles as the King’s Musketeers, D’Artagnan, Athos, Aramis and Porthos respectively. The actors gave a statement to Digital Spy on the news:
Pasqualino said: “My Musketeers adventure was truly an incredible experience, which will live with me forever. I had the most amazing time exploring this beautiful world with even more beautiful people.
“I feel very sad to see its end but have every confidence that the fans will love viewing it as much as we enjoyed making it. Huge thanks to all who made the show such a pleasurable journey and of course, thank you to the fans that saw the show for everything that it was.”
Burke said the final series will explore “a universe that is less stable than the first two”.
“I suppose by that I mean that death and decay are casting a far bigger shadow than ever before from the very first episode. And because of that characters come to really examine their motives, and their fears, not only to save France but to find peace within. Time is running out and no-one is getting any younger.”
Cabrera commented: “Three seasons of The Musketeers was a true, action packed adventure, in every sense of the term. I will miss the world of Dumas, these rich characters, and many of the friendships made along the way.
“A big thank you to the fans of the show, you’re the ones that kept us going strong. Hope you enjoy this third and final season as much as the first two. Your support has been wonderful. It’s all yours now.”
Charles added: “The Musketeers has been a truly wonderful experience, an enlightening challenge and a memorable three seasons.
“These characters will never cease to educate us on the notion of Liberty, Fraternity and Equality. They will live forever in our hearts and minds. A huge thank you to our fans of old and new, hope you enjoy the final season. Your loyalty and support is not lost on us. All for one…”
The final series sees the addition of Rupert Everett as the corrupt Governor of Paris. Returning characters include, Alexandra Dowling, Ryan Gage, Tamla Kari, Hugo Speer and Maimie McCoy.
The Musketeers will return to BBC One later this year.
