Ben Batt (In the Dark, Shameless) takes on colonial Virginia as he joins the stellar cast in the third series of Sky original production Jamestown.

Produced by the multi-award-winning producers of Downton Abbey, Carnival Films, an NBCUniversal International Studios company, filming of the third series is underway near Budapest, and sees the arrival of a new character: enigmatic trader Willmus Crabtree, played by Ben Batt. He joins the series’ ensemble cast, which includes Max Beesley (Henry), Sophie Rundle (Alice), Naomi Battrick (Jocelyn), Jason Flemyng (Yeardley) and Niamh Walsh (Verity) as they return for more adventures in 17th-century Virginia.

The third series, again written by Bill Gallagher (Lark Rise to Candleford), who is also executive producer, continues to chart the early days of the first British settlers in America and the birth of the nation. With trade booming and the tobacco farms established, the settlers’ pioneering aspiration soon clashes with reality as they begin to strive for more than new lives – now they crave control and power.

The flourishing community creates new tensions between the English and the Pamunkey, and with politics rife in the air, the idealism of the New World is tested. As Yeardley’s thirst for power grows, can he handle the consequences? And how far will Opechancanough go to protect his native land?

Ben Batt commented: “I am delighted to have joined the Jamestown cast; it’s such an incredible show. I am excited to see how my character, Willmus Crabtree, shakes up the dynamic among the settlers, and I am really enjoying working with such a talented cast and crew.”

Jamestown is one of Sky One’s top returning commissioned dramas, with each episode of series two drawing in an average cumulative audience of 1.1 million. The eight-part third series, which is currently filming in Budapest, Hungary, is scheduled to air in 2019 exclusively on Sky One and TV streaming service NOW TV in the UK and Ireland.

Cameron Roach, executive producer for Sky, commented: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Jamestown for a third series; this is a show Sky One viewers value highly and it’s built a passionate following among our customers. Bill Gallagher’s incredible vision for the series goes from strength to strength, and it’s a privilege to watch the saga unfold.”

Richard Fell, executive producer for Carnival Films, commented: “The settlement has come a long way since the first group of women landed on the shores of Virginia in series one and we're so excited to continue to tell their tales. Ben Batt has been a tremendous addition to an extremely talented cast this year with a brilliant portrayal of the mischievous Willmus Crabtree."

Series three was commissioned for Sky by head of drama Anne Mensah and commissioning editor and executive producer for Sky Cameron Roach. Gareth Neame, Nigel Marchant and Richard Fell will executive produce for Carnival Films and the producer is Lis Steele. The series will be internationally distributed by NBCUniversal International Distribution.