The Capture, BBC One's hit thriller starring Holliday Grainger, is coming back for a season 3 - and we have all the details on the plot, cast, and start date. Needless to say, we're very excited about the news.

The series is one of the Beeb's best - and it deals with issues that are only too real right now. The central theme is about how to protect the truth, in a world where lies are daily currency... And with the proliferation of deepfakes, how can we trust what we see?

Enter badass Holliday Grainger's DCI Rachel Carey, who is on a mission to get to the truth, however dangerous.

Here's everything we know so far about The Capture season 3, including plot, new cast, start date, and location.

Is there a season 3 of The Capture?

BBC One has announced the return of The Capture for a series 3 - and we couldn't be more thrilled.

The announcement comes three years after it was last on our screens. The first series aired in 2019, with a second coming in 2022.

Creator and writer Ben Chanan told us: "I am delighted to join up with Holliday Grainger, Lia Williams, Ben Miles, Ron Perlman, and all our brilliant cast on The Capture again, and to welcome the fantastic Killian Scott to the fold.

"Previous seasons have seen Holliday's Rachel Carey investigate others as their lives fall apart. Most of all, I am excited that Series 3 puts Carey at the heart of the conspiracy."

How many episodes is it?

The Capture series 3 will be six episodes of one hour long. This followes the format of the first two series.

We don't yet know if the upcoming series will land as a boxset or air week by week, but watch this space for more information.

Who's in the cast of The Capture season 3?

Actress Holliday Grainger will return to lead the cast as Rachel Carey. She's led all three series of the show so far. Of course, Strike fans will know Holliday best as private investigator Robin Ellacott.

Other returning cast members include Rome actress Indira Varma as BBC Newsnight presenter Khadija Khan.

Meanwhile, Ben Miles returns as Danny Hart, opposite Lia Williams as Gemma Garland, Ginny Holder as DI Nadia Latif, Nigel Lindsay as DSI Tom Kendricks, Tessa Wong as DC Chloe Tan, and Daisy Waterstone as Abigail Carey.

Sons of Anarchy legend Ron Perlman will also reprise his role as CIA agent Frank Napier.

Dublin-born Killian Scott - star of Ripper Street and Kaos - joins The Capture series 3 in "a pivotal role". Killian previously appeared on screen with Holliday Grainger in Strike series 1 and 3, where he played DI Eric Wardle.

Other newcomers to the cast include Showtrial star Joe Dempsie, Black Doves' Andrew Buchan, The Marlow Murder Club's Hugh Quarshie, and Ellis' Amanda Drew.

Holliday Grainger said: "I'm thrilled to be joining The Capture team once more for series 3. Ben Chanan's scripts are as electrifying as ever and I'm excited to be stepping back into 'Commander' Rachel Carey's world. (Spoiler alert!)."

Killian Scott added: "I think Ben has created something really special with The Capture, a modern espionage thriller that feels both authentic and immensely captivating. I feel incredibly lucky to be joining the team for season 3."

When's the start date? How can I watch it?

The BBC has not yet confirmed the start date, but it's likely to be late 2025 or early 2026.

Filming is currently taking place in the South East of England, so it'll be a while before it lands on our screens.

What is the plot?

The central concept of The Capture is: "How do you protect the truth, in a world where lies are daily currency? And with the proliferation of deepfakes, how can we trust what we see?"

Series 3 begins 12 months since Rachel Carey broadcast a live deepfake of a government minister to the nation, exposing the UK intelligence service's clandestine video manipulation programme known as Correction.

A synopsis tells us: "Amidst an inquiry into the unlawful use of Correction, Carey has become acting head of SO15, determined to regain the public's trust in surveillance technology through the new Operation Veritas camera system.

"And then it happens: a brutal and exceptionally well-coordinated act of terror aimed right at the heart of the British establishment that leaves behind just one witness."

As the series continues, Carey's investigation draws her deeper into an unfolding "geopolitical crisis" that infects the British political establishment, the security services, and the media. 

The conspiracy reaches deep into the State, but just who is pulling the strings?

The Capture is Ben Chanan's 'gripping zeitgeist thriller'

Rosie Alison, Executive Producer, Heyday Television said: "We're thrilled to return with The Capture, Ben Chanan's gripping zeitgeist thriller. Once again, Ben's prescient and provocative scripts capture the uncertainty of our world, tapping into the shifting nature of truth as deepfakes become ever more pervasive. 

"With Holliday Grainger, Killian Scott, and our brilliant returning ensemble cast, we cannot wait for audiences to step back into a high octane story that continues to feel more real than fiction."

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: "The Capture's irresistible blend of timely, state-of-the-nation commentary with edge-of-your-seat thrills has made it a big hit with millions of viewers, and we're so pleased to announce its return to the BBC. Ben's scripts for series three will dazzle and terrify you in equal measure."

What happened in series 1 and 2? How can I watch them?

Series 1 of The Capture, which aired in 2019, centred around British soldier Shaun Emery, played by Callum Turner. He was charged with a crime he swore he did not commit - was the camera footage incriminating him a deepfake? The tenacious young detective handling his case, DI Rachel Carey, began to uncover a conspiracy...

The Capture season 2 came in 2022. This time, DI Rachel Carey investigated a politically-charged conspiracy involving deepfakes and image manipulation. The target was ambitious rising politician Isaac Turner (Paapa Essiedu), whose career was jeopardised when a hacked TV interview sent shockwaves through his life.

Neither series is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. However, it likely they'll return ahead of The Capture season 3.

However, the first two series are now on Netflix.

Read more: The Feud on Channel 5: New thriller reunites Jill Halfpenny and Rupert Penry-Jones in leading roles

The Capture season 1 and 2 are currently available to watch on Netflix.