Seven-day TV guide
Grantchester
(STV, tonight 9pm)
IT’S the end of an era – James Norton is leaving Grantchester.
He’ll be a great loss to the gentle crime drama, which is set in the 1950s and inspired by the stories of James Runcie. But, it seems, the show is a victim of its own success.
By winning fans on both sides of the Atlantic, Grantchester has catapulted Norton to stardom to such an extent that he’s been suggested as a possible replacement for Daniel Craig once he gives up on James Bond.
Norton has certainly been in demand lately. He’ll be back soon for a second run of McMafia and has two films in post-production – the true-life thriller Gareth Jones and a new adaptation of Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig.
Thankfully he found the time to hand over the Grantchester baton to Tom Brittney, who will play new clergyman Reverend Will Davenport, by appearing in the opening episodes of the new, six-part fourth series.
“As excited as I am to be filming a new series of Grantchester, it’s also heartbreaking to be saying goodbye to Sidney Chambers,” said Norton, in an on-set interview. “I’ve loved this experience, particularly working with such an extraordinary cast and crew.
“All the best to the fantastic Tom Brittney in his role as the new vicar. He is a wonderful addition to the Grantchester family.”
“I am beyond excited,” adds Brittney himself. “From the moment I heard about the role of Will Davenport, it was something I wanted more than anything. It’s a real honour to be joining such a wonderful series, with such a loyal fan base.”
Executive producer Rebecca Eaton is convinced they have the right man for the job: “A message to fans: as much as I know you’ll miss James Norton, I promise you’ll love Tom Brittney. He’s a hugely likeable and talented actor, and will make both a fine vicar of Grantchester and a great crime-solving partner for Geordie Keating (Robson Green).”
Will Davenport is introduced as an old friend of Leonard when the curate and Sidney arrive in Cambridge to hear civil rights activist Nathaniel Todd speak as part of a fundraising tour. Will is the current chaplain at Corpus Christi, a position previously held by Sidney himself.
With Amanda long gone, the path is clear for Sidney to get on with his life. He begins a flirtation with Todd’s daughter Violet, and it’s clear there’s a spark between them. However, any thoughts of romance are put on hold when, at the event, Todd is interrupted by a racist student. Then, all hell breaks loose as fireworks are thrown inside the venue, causing panic and chaos.
Once everything calms down, Todd’s son Charles is discovered to have been stabbed to death – and it’s up to Geordie and Sidney to find out whodunit.
It soon becomes clear that there’s more to the case than meets the eye as Violet struggles to speak out. But it’s not all doom and gloom – there is at least socially awkward Leonard’s poem written for the village fete to look forward to...