ON QUITTING SHOW.. AND BOND TALK
of Bodyguard’s Richard Madden, Batman star Tom Hardy, Avengers actor Tom Hiddleston, 50 Shades of Grey’s Jamie Dornan, Poldark star Aidan Turner and Luther’s Idris Elba. Since he was named as a possible replacement for Daniel Craig, who will leave after Bond 25 in 2020, James has tried to temper any hopes. He said: “Bond’s such an icon and means so much to so many, so there’s an inevitable amount of speculation. But that’s as much as it is – speculation. Very flattering, very humbling speculation.” It would be an incredible role for James to land – and he’s quick to acknowledge the part Grantchester has played in propelling him to stardom. He said: “I definitely owe a lot to the show. No one anticipated it would do as well as it has.
“I was fresh and green and like a bouncy Labrador, hoping it was going to catch the public’s attention.
“But I could see that people like Robson Green and executive producer Diederick Santer, who had more experience, also sensed we were on to something quite special.
“It was the general feel on set and the affection people had towards the show and the characters. We also knew we had a gift with Daisy Coulam’s writing. It’s been a very pleasant and exciting journey.”
James felt the writing was on the wall for Sidney when Amanda, played by Scots actress Morven Christie, broke up with the vicar in the last series.
He said: “It felt like a natural conclusion to Sidney’s story.
“Then, when the possibility of a fourth series came along, the decision was whether or not to start a whole new journey for Sidney. Rather than do that, it felt like it would be better to hand over the baton to someone else and give Grantchester a fresh injection of energy.”
James revealed he was hoping for a violent end for his character.
He said: “I wanted Sidney to be the victim of a gruesome murder and then the new vicar would have to investigate the crime.”
The producers ignored his ideas but the first episode is still explosive – a civil rights talk by a US reverend is infiltrated by racists who throw fireworks into the church and stab the speaker’s son to death.
Although set in 1956, the storyline feels very relevant to what is going on today.
James said: “Right now, the world is in slight disarray with lots of very confused and scared people.
“With fear comes, often, hostility, aggression, prejudice and bigotry.
“There’s this sinister side to the populist right which we are, unfortunately, experiencing the world over.”
While it has a warm heart, Grantchester has never shied away from difficult topics – and action sequences.
James said: “I won’t miss the chasing, running and jumping with Sidney, because I have to do it all in these really flimsy period shoes. The wonderful costume department would always try to bolster them and give them rubber soles but the older you get, the more that hurts.”
When we first see Sidney again, he is drinking heavily to forget Amanda and has become reckless, with something of a death wish.
But while hunting the racist killer, Sidney falls for the American activist’s daughter Violet, played by Simona Brown.
James said: “She is this powerful, enigmatic, formidable woman who has a wonderful twinkle in her eye and an incredible sense of humour.”
The actor has nothing but good thoughts for the show and for his replacement Tom.
He said: “I couldn’t be happier to be handing the dog collar on to Tom, who is going to be great.
“He is oozing with charisma and is horribly attractive with the best teeth in the industry.
“And, of course, I will continue to watch Grantchester as a viewer.”
The fourth series of Grantchester starts on STV at 9pm on Friday, January 11.
JAMES NORTON ON STARTING OUT IN GRANTCHESTER