Apple TV's girl-squad period drama The Buccaneers returned for its second season in 2025, reuniting die-hard viewers with the American rebels taking over England's old-fashioned social scene. After eight episodes full of coming-of-age drama, heartbreaking scenes, and epic love triangles, the installment ended on August 6, with several huge secrets coming to light at Nan's (Kristine Frøseth) masquerade ball.
Now, fans are clamoring for news on whether the cult-loved series will return for more historical drama. Below, read on for everything we know about The Buccaneers season 3 so far.
Has 'The Buccaneers' been renewed for season 3?
Let's go, girls! Just two months after The Buccaneers season 2 finale, Apple TV announced via a press release that the show has been renewed for a third season. Along with the news, the streamer shared an adorable photo of the cast, all looking glam in their best Gilded Age fits, smiling and holding up number threes.
On social media, Apple TV also shared a teaser to get fans hyped. The steamy clip features Theo (Guy Remmer) and Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag) looking romantically into each other's eyes before smooching and running away together, holding hands. "Tintagel is abuzz. The Buccs will be back," the caption reads.
Series creator Katherine Jakeaways celebrated the return of the show based on Edith Warton's final novel with a statement. "We couldn't be more delighted to be lacing up our corsets, slipping on our ball gowns, and running breathless across the cliffs of Tintagel for the third time to see what passionate adventures our beloved Buccaneers get up to next,” Jakeaways said, according to a press release. "Huge thanks to Apple TV and also to the devoted viewers for loving the show as much as we do."
When will 'The Buccaneers' season 3 come out?
It's unclear when The Buccaneers season 3 will premiere. However, based on casting news announced in late February (more on that below!), the show seems to have entered production in February 2026.
The show tends to debut new episodes on our screens with a pretty consistent schedule. For example, after season 1 concluded in December 2023, season 2 was filmed in the second half of 2024 and premiered in June 2025. It seems possible that, if filming is underway, season 3 premieres either at the very end of the year or in early 2027.
Who in the cast will return for 'The Buccaneers' season 3?
Pending any huge changes, most of the ensemble cast is expected to return for season 3, including Kristine Frøseth (Nan St. George), Alisha Boe (Conchita Closson), Josie Totah (Mabel Elmsworth), Aubri Ibrag (Lizzy Elmsworth), Imogen Waterhouse (Jinny St. George), Christina Hendricks (Mrs. St. George), Guy Remmers (Theo, Duke of Tintagel), Matthew Broome (Guy Thwarte), and Barney Fishwick (Lord James Seadown).
One star whose future with the show is in question is Mia Threapleton, as Honoria Marable is off to pursue a teaching career abroad. We'll also have to wait and see if season 2 newbie Leighton Meester returns for more. And then it seems all but likely that Josh Dylan will not return after the tragic death of Lord Richard Marable.
Who are the new cast members in 'The Buccaneers' season 3?
Is The Buccaneers following starting a trend of casting former stars of teen soaps? It might just be! Of course, last season Leighton Meester came into the fold—and this time around, Vampire Diaries alum Paul Wesley joins the ensemble.
Deadline reported the news in late February 2027, teasing his character details. According to the outlet, the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds actor will play "Frank, who is a mysterious but charming stranger who arrives into Nan and Mrs. St. George’s world, turning it upside down."
Apple TV also teased the news by sharing a video of Wesley in costume and on set on Instagram. In the clip, the star—dressed in a period-accurate coat and with a suave beard—walks through town, and cheekily picks up and tosses fruit from a fruit stand, before pointing to a poster about his casting. "Formally inviting him in. Welcome Paul Wesley to The Buccaneers Season 3," the streamer wrote in the caption.
He's certainly an exciting new addition, and in the coming weeks, we'll have to see if there are any other newcomers this season.
What will 'The Buccaneers' season 3 be about?
Apple TV has unveiled an official logline for season 3: "Our Buccaneers are fighting back. And they’re doing it together. When they arrived in England they were all navigating their first loves. Now, they’re looking for the loves of their lives, and with a new and enigmatic Duke at the helm, Tintagel is also facing an uncertain future. If polite English society thought our American girls rocked the boat, this new bad-boy Duke is about to sink the ship."
It remains to be seen who that bad-boy Duke is. Could it be Wesley's new character? Or, perhaps more likely, Theo's half-brother Kit, who's now to be the Duke of Tintagel?
As fans may recall, the events of The Duchess's Masquerade set up a very dramatic fight for Tintagel to come in season 3. After Theo decides to abdicate and divorce Nan, Blanche (Amelia Bullmore) reveals that his father had a secret son, Kit. He's said to be horrible, so it's likely that he'll become a major player in the next installment.
As for the Nan-Theo-Lizzy love triangle, Nan's pregnancy—of which Theo is still clueless—will continue to provide plenty of drama for the series, as he must choose between his all-consuming love for Lizzy and protecting his child.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Kristine Frøseth admitted that she has no idea where her character is running off to in the finale's last scene. "I am just as curious as you are," she told the outlet. "I'm hoping she just keeps running. She meets a group of women, and they all raise the baby together somewhere, and she leaves all the drama behind."
With season 3 on the way, we'll hopefully get to find out more about Nan's next adventure soon!
