'The Street' returns for third series

Jimmy McGovern's The Street is returning for a third series, the BBC has announced.

Timothy Spall will reprise his role as Eddie, while other cast members include Bob Hoskins, Frances Barber, Anna Friel, Daniel Mays, Jonas Armstrong, Joseph Mawle, Stephen Graham and Ruth Jones.

"The Street has genuinely struck a chord with people," said McGovern. "I think it works because it tells truthful, yet extraordinary stories about ordinary people. All the stories are about heart and humanity."

Co-executive producer Sita Williams added: "There is always hope in Jimmy's work. It baffles me when The Street is sometimes criticised for being grim - it's actually very uplifting. It's all about redemption - in a world full of disasters and wars, we want human beings to redeem themselves."

No official broadcast date for the third series has been announced.