Dalgliesh season 3: Release date speculation, cast, plot and latest news

"We are absolutely elated to return for not one, but two mysterious and compelling seasons."

Read on for everything you need to know about Dalgliesh season 3.

Dalgliesh season 3 release date speculation: When could it air?

Filming on season 3 began in May this year – with Channel 5 releasing a couple of first-look images to mark the occasion.

Season 1 aired in 2021, with season 2 arriving in 2023.

As for season 3, it could premiere at the end of this year, but we wouldn't be surprised if it didn't air until early 2025.

It was also announced that Carvel will make his directorial debut on season 3.

"I’m thrilled to return to Dalgliesh; this time behind, as well as in front of, the camera, directing a bold adaptation of PD James's first ever Dalgliesh novel, Cover Her Face," he said.

Dalgliesh season 3 cast: Who's returning?

Carvel is, of course, returning as Dalgliesh alongside Carlyss Peer as his colleague, Kate Miskin.

Alistair Brammer also returns as DS Daniel Tarrant.

The guest cast for season 3 is as follows:

• Anton Lesser (Endeavour)
• Lloyd Owen (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power)
• Claire Goose (Silverpoint)
• Liz White (The Long Shadow)
• Adam James (Mr Bates vs The Post Office)
• Richard Lintern (Silent Witness)
• Ellora Torchia (The Gold)
• Parth Thakerar (Gangs of London)
• Soni Razdan (War)
• Josie Walker (Belfast)

Dalgliesh season 3 books: What will happen?

The upcoming season will consist of six episodes and explore three of James's novels: Death in Holy Orders, Cover Her Face, his debut book, and Devices and Desires.

The synopsis for Death in Holy Orders is as follows: "Dalgliesh travels to a remote seminary overlooking a windswept lake, where a body has been found gruesomely murdered.

"Nearly everyone in the seminary has reason to resent the victim, and Dalgliesh and DS Tarrant must unpick a complicated set of motives to find their killer."

Cover Her Face sees Dalgliesh "investigate a murder in the Essex home of the Mehtas, a staggeringly wealthy family with connections to the British government".

"With the help of local detective Clive Roscoe, Dalgliesh builds a picture of events in the weeks leading to the crime, confronting a blanket of secrecy among his guarded suspects."

The plot for Devices and Desires reads: "Dalgliesh is sent on an urgent mission to investigate a terrorist plot against a nuclear power station on the Kent coast.

"He is soon drawn into a complex and highly-charged hunt for a serial killer, working once more alongside former colleague Kate Miskin, now an acting DCI."

Dalgliesh airs on Channel 5.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.