The Tower season 3 sees the gripping crime thriller return with Game of Thrones star Gemma Whelan again leading the cast.
The first series of The Tower proved a huge hit for ITV, with The Tower II: Death Message also winning a big audience, so it was no surprise a third series was ordered.
The Tower 3: Gallowstree Lane is based on Kate London's third novel, and is adapted by screenwriter Patrick Harbinson, who promises this will be the "best" series yet.
Here’s everything we know and for more great ITV dramas check out our best ITV dramas guide...
The Tower 3 release date
The new four-part drama will begin on Monday, September 2 at 9 pm on ITV1, then it will be shown on subsequent nights in the same slot with the finale on Thursday, September 5. You can also catch it via ITVX.
In the US, The Tower season 3 is likely to head to BritBox, but we don't have a release date.
The Tower 3 cast
As mentioned, Gemma Whelan returns as DS Sarah Collins. She is joined again by Tahirah Sharif as PC Lizzie Adama, a part for which she was BAFTA-nominated for in the first series.
Also back are Emmett J Scanlan (The Fall) as DI Kieran Shaw and Jimmy Akingbola (Bel-Air) as DC Steve Bradshaw.
Karl Davies also returns as DCI Tim Bailie, as well as Ella Smith as DC Elaine Lucas, Calilla Beeput as Julie Woodson, Laurie Delaney as Mary Shaw and Michael Karim as PC Arif Johar.
The Tower 3: Gallowstree Lane plot
The series will follow the police's plans to bring down a South London drugs kingpin, but the operation is thrown into chaos when a teenager is killed on Gallowstree Lane. The book that this season follows is the third and final one in the series and won widespread critical acclaim.
It also appears then that The Tower 3 will be the final series. Screenwriter Patrick Harbinson said: "Gallowstree Lane has a high-stakes drugs and gangs storyline with Jimmy and Emmett’s characters taking major roles. Sarah and Lizzie have gripping and heart-breaking stories too, as the drama of Portland Tower comes full circle. I firmly believe series three will be our best yet."
The Tower season 3 episode guide
Episode 1
Nearly two years since we last saw Sarah Collins, we catch up with her as she is called to the brutal stabbing of a teenager. Her investigation soon finds itself at cross purposes with a covert operation led by Kieran Shaw, who is working with Sarah’s old partner, Steve Bradshaw, now deep undercover. Lizzie Adama meanwhile, is back at Farlow trying to balance her new role as a Detective with a family life. Her path and Kieran’s are about to cross.
Episode 2
The death of working girl Lexi, murdered by Shakiel in revenge for Spencer’s stabbing, sends shock waves through Sarah’s investigation and Operation Perseus. Kieran, already under pressure because wife Mary has thrown him out of their home, faces an angry Lizzie, demanding he share information about Lexi with Sarah. But Kieran is adamant: sharing information would not only alert Shakiel Oliver to the existence of Operation Perseus, it would endanger Steve’s life. The pressure on Kieran is about to get worse: his wife contacts Sarah and says she has information about the Portland Tower case.
Episode 3
Armed with an ID for Spencer’s killer, Lizzie persuades Kieran to open up Operation Perseus to Sarah so she can make the arrest. Even with Lizzie acting as peace-maker it’s clear that Sarah and Kieran loath one another. After testing Steve’s cover at gunpoint, Shakiel invites him to become his number 2. Kieran and Steve realise that Shakiel is about to make the move that will give him control of South London but they will need to be in the right place to stop him. But Shakiel always has a card up his sleeve and this time it’s Ryan Kennedy.
Episode 4
Perseus reaches its climax as Kieran prepares to catch Shakiel with a carload of automatic weapons. However, Spencer’s killer Jermaine King has escaped from custody and kidnapped Ryan’s sister Tia. Sarah has to free Tia and re-arrest King before he disrupts Perseus. The operation succeeds: Shakiel is arrested. Then a completely unexpected disruption occurs: Ryan sees Steve shaking hands with police officers. Suddenly there are two hostage situations: Kieran and Lizzie at Steve’s flat where a furious Ryan holds Steve at gunpoint, and Sarah trying to rescue Tia from the desperate King. The scene is set for a breathtaking finale.
Is there a trailer for The Tower season 3?
Yes, the trailer is just as gripping as you might expect, with plenty of drama to look forward to. As a teenager is murdered on the streets of London, an undercover police operation is put at risk... but will Sarah Collins and her team be able to put the right people behind bars?
