Rock bottom
Sleuthing vicar Sidney is falling apart…
Sidney’s always been restless, and he’s certainly faced his fair share of heartache with Amanda over the years. But the vicar is definitely at his lowest ebb in this week’s Grantchester as he wakes up miserable and alone.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, a beaten-up girl called Sadie takes her final breaths and delivers her dying words to Geordie, which are ‘Sidney Chambers’.
Trying to make sense of these murky events, the detective, played by Robson Green, calls upon Sidney, who can’t remember anything from the night before. Hungover and confused, and a possible suspect, Sidney tries to help Geordie crack the case, but he’s not in the best state of mind...
‘Sidney is being pretty reckless – he’s looking for ways to keep himself distracted from the heartbreak and shock of Amanda’s departure,’ says James Norton, who plays the vicar.
‘He spends most of his time drunk, not paying particular attention to his responsibilities as a vicar. He’s slightly given up caring for himself. He will always care for his parishioners, but his self-respect is definitely waning. He’s lost control.’
Sidney’s still missing Violet, who turned his world upside down when she arrived with the Alabama civilrights protesters in last week’s opener.
Intoxicated
‘Violet was so powerful, enigmatic and formidable, Sidney became intoxicated by her,’ explains James. ‘It’s hardly a surprise that Sidney once again finds himself entangled in a complicated romantic mess!’
It’s no secret that James will be leaving Grantchester at some point during this series, but he’s tight-lipped as to how and when he will eventually depart the show.
‘I had a couple of conversations with the producers, offering my far-fetched versions of his exit, but, inevitably, they weren’t picked up!’ he laughs. ‘I wanted Sidney to be the victim of a gruesome murder, so the new vicar could investigate the case!’