WHAT’S HOT TO WATCH TODAY
JAMES NORTON will be back on BBC1 in a few months’ time in a second series of that baffling international crime thriller McMafia.
So if you prefer him in roles where he actually pulls more than one facial expression – and where, almost as important, you can understand what the blinking hell’s going on – I’d make a point of tuning in for series four of GRANTCHESTER, kicking off tonight on ITV (9pm).
This will be Norton’s final stint, you see, as crime-solving 50s vicar Sidney Chambers, a character who, despite having a fair few troubles of his own – plus, of course, quite a lot of villains to deal with – does at least pull the occasional smile.
In fact, Sidney is particularly happy in this opening episode because he meets a young woman he can’t wait to hop into bed with. She’s called Violet, and she’s the daughter of an American civil rights activist who’s over in Britain on a fundraising tour.
Trouble is, he can’t yet devote his full attention to wooing her (and he does prefer a proper woo, does our Sidney), on account of her brother having just been fatally stabbed outside the church. Instead, he must help his copper chum Geordie (Robson Green) nab the culprit. But provided he and Geordie can get that task ticked off – and they do have a pretty good track record – who’s to say he can’t then give Violet his full attention?
Also, by the way, we get to meet the new churchy chap destined to take on Sydney’s role as Geordie’s partner in crime-busting. He’s called Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) and, well, let’s just say he’s got a bit to learn about how things work around these parts.