A third series of the ITV crime-drama The Tower is set to air soon, with Gemma Whelan returning to lead the cast.

The first series aired back in 2021 and was adapted from the first book of Kate London's Metropolitan series Post Mortem.

A follow-up series followed in 2023 based on the second book Death Message, and now a third series is being adapted from the Gallowstree Lane book.

Series 3 will pick up two years after the end of the series two finale, with DS Sarah Collins (Whelan) investigating the stabbing of a teenager.

This brings her face to face with Lizzie (Tahirah Sharif), who is doing her best to manage being a detective and a mother.

The character will also be brought "into conflict with DI Kieran Shaw (Emmett J Scanlan), who is running Operation Perseus, an undercover police task force set up to bring down South London drug kingpin Shakiel Oliver (Daniel Adegboyega)", according to the official synopsis.

It adds: "Kieran is working with DC Steve Bradshaw (Jimmy Akingbola), who has gone undercover to infiltrate Shakiel's empire. The focus of Sarah and Kieran's conflict is 15-year-old Ryan Kennedy (Lamar Waves), who witnessed the fatal stabbing but is also a key part of Shakiel's inner circle.

"As Perseus heads to its shocking climax, Ryan will have a surprising role to play."

Speaking to the Radio Times about the upcoming series, screenwriter Patrick Harbinson shared: "There is a wonderful, dark gangster storyline, if you like, with Jimmy and Emmett.

"Sarah and Lizzie have heartbreaking storylines, and the whole business of Farah Mehenni's phone, the tower, the reason I called it The Tower – what happened there does reverberate right the way through every character's life.

"A lot of these threads are beginning to come together, rather devastatingly. It's a real thriller, season 3. It's an exciting story – many, many good things. So we're delighted. I think everyone will enjoy it."

Meanwhile, Gemma Whelan teased "shocks", "surprises" and a moral compass that's "shaken" at a recent press conference promoting the third season.

She explained: "Of course, as we know, her moral compass is so – although, it's quite possibly a bit shaken this season – but her moral compass is very north-south.

"She's unwavering in her policing by the book, but I think this calls that into question a bit this season.

"It hits her personally, this kid [who's been stabbed] and how she can't... Normally, she can make a difference because she follows the police book, and things work out because you follow the rules – and this time, it's so messy.

"She's shown a mirror this season, and for the first time, Sarah can't fix it."

The Tower series 3 full cast list

  • Gemma Whelan as DS Sarah Collins
  • Tahirah Sharif as PC Lizzie Adama
  • Jimmy Akingbola as DC Steve Bradshaw
  • Emmett J Scanlan as DI Kieran Shaw
  • Ella Smith as DC Elaine Lucas
  • Michael Karim as PC Arif Johar
  • Stuart McQuarrie as DCI Jim Fedden
  • Bobby Lockwood as DC Lee Coutts
  • Camilla Beeput as Julie Woodson
  • Laurie Delaney as Mary Shaw
  • Karl Davies as DCS Tim Bailie
  • Lamar Waves as Ryan Kennedy
  • Emmanuella Cole as Loretta Kennedy
  • Omar Malik as Ujal Jarral
  • Robbie Gee as DS Mark Angel
  • Daniel Adegboyega as Shakiel Oliver
  • David O'Reilly as DS Ash Curren
  • Rawdat Quadri as Tia Kennedy
  • Max Fincham as Spencer Cardoso
  • Kwabena Peprah as Jermaine King
  • Chord Melodic as Owen Pierce
  • Allie Aylott as Lexie Moss
  • John Gully as DC Archie Rivers
  • Ged McKenna as Victor Grimes

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When will The Tower series 3 be on ITV?

The first episode of the third series of The Tower will air at 9pm on Monday, September 2 on ITV1.

After that, the remaining three episodes will air over consecutive weeknights, concluding on Thursday, September 5.

Alternatively, all episodes will be available to stream on ITVX from Monday.