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Hot for preacher
James Norton’s time in ‘Grantchester’ comes to an end
By Francis Babin
TV Media
R
ecently, investigative journal-
ist Billy Jensen popularized
the term “citizen detective,”
which he describes as an
individual who devotes their
time and expertise to helping
authorities solve crimes, without
compensation or expectation of
reward. Thanks in large part to
technological advancements and
sites like Reddit, amateur sleuths
have been able to funnel their
passion for true crime into solv-
ing unresolved crimes from all
around the world.
While this kind of detective
work is relatively new in the real
world, we have seen numer-
ous amateur detectives on the
small screen over the years.
For instance, Jessica Fletcher
helped solve countless crimes in
“Murder, She Wrote,” and the
Scooby gang has brought down
an endless supply of villains in
“Scooby-Doo.” On Sunday, July
14, “Grantchester” returns to
PBS for its fourth season, and its
citizen detectives continue their
quest for truth.
Based on the successful
1950s-set The Grantchester
Mysteries book series by James
Runcie, the period drama follows
the adventures of a charismatic
Anglican vicar and former World
War II Scots Guards officer Sid-
ney Chambers (James Norton,
“McMafia”) as he develops a
penchant for sleuthing. After
receiving a visit from a deceased
man’s mistress who believes his
death was not a suicide but a
murder, Sidney is implored to in-
vestigate the man’s demise, and
finds he has a knack for it.
Chambers’ sleuthing puts
him on a collision course with
the grumpy, overworked fellow
war veteran Det. Insp. Geordie
Keating (Robson Green, “Strike
Back”), who does not approve
of the vicar’s questioning of
witnesses and suspects. How-
ever, the methodical copper
reluctantly comes around, and
the unlikely pair sets out to
investigate a variety of local
crimes.
2 | Screentime
Tom Brittney in “Grantchester”
his fellow man of the cloth, he is
Like all good fictional partner-
considered a “boat-rocker” who
ships, the duo does not always
embraces the future.
see eye to eye, and their inves-
The young new vicar is car-
tigative methods and personal
ing, confident and self-assured,
lives differ greatly from one an-
other. Yet, with all the differences and he strives for social justice.
According to ITV, the original
that separate these men, they
broadcasters of the drama, Will
somehow manage to look be-
is a man of God but has a bit of
yond them and focus on what is
the devil inside of him. This di-
important: helping others.
chotomy, as well as his troubled
The new season of this adap-
past, is explored over the course
tation marks the beginning of a
of the new season.
new chapter with the introduc-
How will the skeptical DI Keat-
tion of Rev. Will Davenport (Tom
ing draw him into his world of
Brittney, “Outlander”), a former
crime-solving? Only time will tell,
inner-city chaplain and man of
but what is certain is that the re-
the people who embodies the
turn of “Grantchester” marks the
changing post-war world. The
end of era as fan favorite Norton
hip reverend rides a motorcycle
moves on to other projects after
and listens to rock ‘n’ roll. He is
this season.
young and does not possess the
In a PBS news release, “Mas-
post-war emotional baggage
terpiece” executive producer
that many others, including
Rebecca Eaton said, “It’s a bit-
Sidney, struggle with. Much like
July 10, 2019 | East Oregonian and Hermiston Herald
tersweet time for ‘Grantchester’
fans, who will be cheering the
return of the series but crushed
to say goodbye to James.” She
continued by adding that his last
episodes are brilliant, and that
the audience will be captivated
by an interesting new vicar.
This feeling was echoed by
executive producer Diederick
Santer, who said: “While I’m sad
that these will be James Norton’s
final episodes, we will make sure
he goes out with a bang. We’ve
got exciting plans for where the
show is heading and the vicarage
won’t be vacant for long.”
Last time we visited
“Grantchester,” Norton’s Sidney
Chambers wrote his letter of res-
ignation after losing faith in the
church, and he planned to move
to London with Amanda (Morven
Christie, “The Bay”). Believing
that his community needed
him now more than ever, he
ultimately broke Amanda’s heart
and decided to stay put. Will the
crime-fighting vicar find love
again or forever stay adrift?
Sunday evening has always
been important in the history
of television. Even when the
medium was still in its infancy,
the night boasted legendary
series such as “Alfred Hitchcock
Presents” and “The Ed Sullivan
Show.” For decades following
these two classics, the night was
dominated by Disney specials,
but the tide started to change
in the 1990s and truly changed
in 1999 with the debut of “The
Sopranos” on HBO.
Since then, Sunday nights
have been the time-slot for pres-
tige dramas. From AMC’s “Mad
Men” and “Breaking Bad” to
Showtime’s “Homeland” and
HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” a bevy
of award-winning dramas have
claimed Sunday as their home,
ensuring they would be on the tip
of everyone’s tongue throughout
the week. Along with the above,
PBS’s “Masterpiece” has con-
sistently delivered smash hits
such as “Sherlock,” “Downton
Abbey” and now “Grantchester.”
After a two-year absence,
“Grantchester” returns to PBS on
Sunday, July 14, for Norton’s final
season. In the wake of the much-
discussed third season, a lot has
happened in the Cambridgeshire
village. It’s 1956, and change is
in the air. There is a new vicar in
town and he is shaking things up
with his progressive ideas. Will
the changing times leave DI Keat-
ing behind? Tune in to the season
premiere to find out.