Sarah Parish, Sharon Small, Orla Brady and Shelley Conn are back with a brand new series of Ecosse Films’ hit series, Mistresses, Jay Hunt announced today at the BBC One Autumn launch.

The BBC has commissioned a third and final outing of the popular drama that follows four friends supporting each other through the complexities of life.

Katie (Parish), Trudi (Small), Siobhan (Brady) and Jessica (Conn) have all had their fair share of men troubles over the years, but the new series, which consists of four hour-long episodes, looks more intently at the relationship between the four women.

The final instalment of Mistresses will focus on love, betrayal, loss, forgiveness and, most of all, the enduring power of female friendship.

Ecosse Films’ executive producer, Lucy Bedford, said: “We are delighted to have all four lead actresses back for a third series. The strong bond they have formed over the last couple of years translates brilliantly onto the screen.

“These episodes will see the characters’ friendship tested to the max.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, added: “Mistresses – The Last Act is a final four-part special event that will bring the stories of the four mistresses to a dramatic conclusion on BBC One next year.

“Simply and elegantly bookended by a mysterious glimpse into the future, all the four women will be returning – Katie, Trudi, Siobhan and Jessica – with new and sometimes shocking stories.”