Robson Green pays tribute to Grantchester co-star as he takes on new role 'Big step up'
Robson Green paid a sweet tribute to his Grantchester co-star Tom Brittney during a TV appearance with Lorraine Kelly (Friday 11th March).
Grantchester will be making a return to ITV on Friday night with its seventh season. The drama will see DI George 'Geordie' Keating (played by Robson Green) and Reverend Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) join forces to solve more cases in Cambridgeshire. During an interview with Lorraine, the duo discussed what fans can expect from the upcoming series.
Robson also paid a tribute to Tom after praising him for stepping into a new role on the show.
Tom explained he stepped away from his acting role and directed episode three of the series.
When asked what it was like to direct the programme, Tom explained: “I did, episode three which is out in a couple of weeks.
“It was the first thing I have ever directed. I did films in college, but this was a bit of a step up.”
He continued: “It was amazing, and I can’t thank the executive producers enough for letting me do it and obviously, Robson and the cast for trusting me.”
Lorraine proceeded to show a clip from the series of Tom’s character on a motorbike.
The actor admitted ITV bosses asked him to pass his driving test so he could ride it for the show.
“I love doing it on set, not that much in real life,” he explained. “They are terrifying.”
He also teased there will be romance on the cards for the vicar in series seven.
“Love is in the air,” he said as Robson chipped in: “There are so many themes to play and one of them you saw in the clip, is what is true love.
“In this series, Geordie…the irony being Geordie’s life is falling apart. Kathy’s kicked him out, he’s living with the vicar and giving the vicar relationship advice.”
Friday night’s episode will centre around the summer of 1959, and the body of a dead man is found on the grounds.
He is quickly identified as the sisters’ errant brother Lord Edmund Fitzgerald, who has been living an itinerant life travelling the world since the war.
As Will and Geordie investigate the Fitzgerald family history, they find themselves looking into Edmund’s own romantic past.
Could a story of lost love hold the clue to his killer ?
“How did he do ?” the host asked as Robson praised: “It was like he’d been directing for years.
“The thing about Tom is he’s one of the most confident people I’ve ever met, and he’s got amazing self-belief and belief in his ability.
“He’s got a grasp on visual grammar and the principles of photography, it was like he’d been doing it for years.”
“It is important that when you work along somebody, that they are confident and that they know what they’re doing,” the actor added.
“That then instils confidence on set, and he was a great safety net.”
Robson Green reveals there’s a ‘secret’ under his hat
Grantchester’s Robson Green says there is a secret reason Geordie always carries his hat.
Grantchester star Robson Green has admitted why his character always carries a hat with him while filming for the ITV series.
Robson and his co-star Al Weaver are currently filming for season seven of the hit drama. The duo spoke with hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard about the upcoming series on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain.
Appearing via video link, [https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1502271/Grantchester-Robson-Green-hat-secret-Geordie-Keating] the actors explained they were struggling to film because of the fog. As they discussed the show, Robson, who plays Geordie Keating, spoke about why he always carries his iconic hat with him while filming.
“I have carried this hat with me in every single scene for seven years,” Robson told the hosts as he showed them his hat.
“And for the series that is going out now, season six, you find out why because I carry a secret literally under it. It comes to play towards the end of the series.
“It is incredibly moving and incredibly powerful. Beautiful stories and beautifully acted.”
Ben weighed in: “Robson, you’ve been doing it since 2014 and you’ve always carried the hat. Did you know there was a reason you were carrying the hat, or did you think that the costume department were just sort of winding you up all the time ?”
The actor replied: “Me and Daisy chatted. We were going through the storylines as we all do. It’s very collective and we talk about storylines and where we want the characters to go. And I said, ‘Let’s have a reason of why he carries his hat.’
“And the reason is incredibly moving and what is under this hat has a catastrophic effect on the relationship he has with his wife and with Al’s character, Leonard.
“And of the course, the lovely Tom Brittney who plays Will Davenport.”
Speaking about his heartbreaking storyline, Al Weaver admitted as an actor it was tough for him to film when his character, Leonard Finch faced at the end of season six.
The actor’s character was convicted for homosexuality in season six. Speaking about the storyline, Al admitted as an actor it was tough for him to film.
He said: “To have the system attack you for being who you are and who you want to be.
“One of the most emotional things filming that actually was when we got to prison, I arrived in the courtroom with my lawyer.”
“There was a bunch if placards outside saying ‘Homosexuals are the devil’ and things like that,” he added.
“As an actor it was profound and moving because I’ve never felt that sort of hatred. All these people shouting, ‘Go home, you’re wrong, you’re a sinner.’
“As an actor it was really horrible actually.”
Where do we find Leonard at the beginning of series seven? Does Leonard have a slightly less dramatic story arc this series ?
It couldn’t get any more dramatic than prison could it? Leonard is no longer a priest and he’s out of prison and we find him on a new venture. Jack and Mrs C have kindly lent him some money to open up a kind of beat, poet cafe in tribute to his heroes of Ginsberg and Kerouac, that serves Moroccan style food with a bit of a Russian theme. Leonard’s really excited as well as nervous because it’s a new adventure for him, he’s anxious about it but Leonard is always anxious isn’t he !
How was the reaction from Grantchester viewers following Leonard’s arrest and imprisonment ?
The reaction from viewers was really touching, they really seemed to get behind Leonard and really felt for him and wanted to show their support. I don’t think viewers ever expected the story to go that way and I’m so glad that it did and that we had the opportunity to explore that and do something really dramatic. These were the consequences of being a gay man in the 1950s, the series showed the punishment for something that shouldn’t even have been a crime.
The reaction was incredible and I’ve never played a character that’s had that resonance over that amount of time with people, thank you to everybody that watched !
How is Leonard’s relationship with Mrs C ?
Mrs C is being a bit of a busy-body, the cafe is Leonard’s but she thinks it’s hers too, in the classic Mrs C. way. She’s putting her nose in and messing with his vision for the cafe, changing the pictures and the interior. Mrs C envisions a classic English tea room whereas Leonard wants to create a haven for poets and to show his love of culture and Mrs C isn't having any of it! She does eventually see the light because she realises it’s Leonard’s dream and she has to support that and let him be himself.
When Mrs C reveals what she’s going through in this series, it’s Leonard that she turns to and they have a real mother, son relationship. Leonard becomes her support system and wants to cheer her up, he gives her some honest truths as well. We filmed some really beautiful scenes between the two of them.
We do see Leonard in crisis this series because he’s lost his purpose but through Mrs C’s illness we witness his passion for caring for people, that’s what he’s good at and what matters to him and this leads him onto a new path by the end of the series.
Bonnie, played by Charlotte Ritchie, joins this season as Cathy’s niece. What was it like having her in the cast ?
Charlotte is so lovely! She brought a really great energy to the set. The scenes we had together were great to do and she's such a great actress. It’s a tribute to the show that we’re able to have someone of Charlotte’s position in the industry to come and be part of Grantchester, it added a new depth. It’s a great storyline that she and Tom have in this series.
There are always some really good guest stars in Grantchester. Who would you most like to have as a guest star ?
Could we get Daniel Day-Lewis out of retirement? That would be unexpected if he came to join Grantchester for a series !
In terms of British actors I think Alison Steadman would be great or Leslie Manville, wonderful character actors who would be great in the world of Grantchester. Or maybe Ray Winstone, I can see him playing a real baddie.
Tom directed an episode in this series, is that something you ever wanted to have a go at on Grantchester ?
It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, it was talked about for series six but I felt the storyline that I had that it would have maybe been too much and I just wanted to concentrate on doing the best job I could with Leonard. I think now that that huge storyline has happened for Leonard I think it’s a good time for me to jump in so watch this space !
Where do we find Mrs C at the beginning of series seven ?
At the beginning of this series, Mrs C is having a go at opening a cafe with her beloved Leonard. Jack has put some money into it so Mrs C feels she is able to, and should have some involvement and say in it.
However she gets a bit bossy and takes over with serving the customers and the general running of the place much to Leonard’s annoyance. It’s quite good fun! She’s feeling happy about everything in her life.
Mrs C makes a shocking personal discovery in this series, can you talk a bit about that ?
She hasn’t been feeling her best and is visited by the doctor and from this point life changes quite radically for Mrs C. She is a very private woman and keeps this personal illness to herself for as long as possible. She will be faced by some demons this series and will be challenged with how she’s going to handle this.
Mrs C becomes testy to those around her because she doesn't want to worry people and suffers in silence which then makes her very grumpy and distracted. Her intentions are good in not telling her loved ones but it makes them question ‘what on earth is the matter with her ?
It’s also a test of her faith, which was of course tested last series when Leonard had to go to court. This made her question how she felt about homosexuality and her how her beliefs related to that. This time it’s a lot more personal and she’s asking God, ‘where are you when I need you ?’
How are things between her and Jack ?
Well their relationship is a bit fractured at the beginning of the series. Jack has no idea what’s going on with Mrs C and he is actually a bit paranoid and suspicious about her behaviour and that she might be seeing someone else or heaven forbid, having an affair.
She’s being a bit shifty and disappearing and Jack doesn’t know what she’s up to and thinks she may have fallen out of love with him. Of course once the audience discovers what’s behind this behaviour they’ll see why she’s behaving this way. Hopefully by the end of the series they’ll be coming together again.
What are the themes that are explored in this series ?
In this series they are exploring how people face challenges whether that’s illness or belief systems. These belief systems don’t always necessarily mean belief in God, it’s more about questioning who they are and what they believe in. I think the theme of what people mean to one another is also explored, how they value friendships, lovers, husbands and wives and all the characters are challenged in that way.
Bonnie, played by Charlotte Ritchie, joins this season as Cathy’s niece. What was it like having her in the cast ?
It was absolutely glorious! She’s a gorgeous young woman and Ghosts is my favourite programme on television at the moment so I was already a huge fan of hers before she stepped onto the set of Grantchester. This programme is known for its friendliness and family feel and everyone just ticks along so brilliantly together both in front of and behind the camera and Charlotte just felt like another member of the family, she’s lovely !
There are always some really good guest stars in Grantchester. Who would you most like to have as a guest star ?
We really have seen a lot of amazing guest stars over the years, it’s been seven years worth and each episode has at least four or five guests. I’m always thrilled with whoever comes to join Grantchester and I’m surprised year on year with who comes in and it's a bonus that all the guests we’ve had have always been so lovely !
How is Mrs C’s relationship with Leonard ?
At the beginning of the series their relationship is under some strain because Leonard really wants to make a go of this cafe and it’s a completely new direction for him and Leonard feels Mrs C is squashing all of his ideas. He finds at one point that she has changed all of the decor and everything Leonard has planned for the cafe is covered in gingham and bunting, completely Mrs C’s style, which she thinks is lovely and exactly how she thinks it should look.
Leonard is trying to create an avant garde poetry and arts centre for creatives and Mrs C doesn’t get that at all.
Having said that, their relationship always recovers because they have such a great friendship, although they get very irritated with each other there is always a real warmth between them. Leonard is the one who eventually Mrs C turns to about her diagnosis and he metaphorically holds her hand all the way through it. Theirs is a very touching relationship with a real mother, son dynamic to it. Both of them know what’s at stake if things go wrong and Leonard turns out to be a fantastic support to her.
Where do we find Cathy at the beginning of series seven ?
At the beginning of the series Cathy has thrown Geordie out, this time for good and they’re trying to co- parent and negotiate the logistics of it all with pick ups and drop offs, the whole diary mess which doesn’t fit well with Geordie’s job. He’s a bit all over the place and he is realising how hard it is to try and combine work and childcare.
Cathy does become increasingly frustrated with Geordie’s attempts at juggling his two responsibilities which sees him taking the children to work and him being a murder detective, that isn’t ideal !
As Cathy and Geordie are separated, is it quite sad to do these scenes ?
Yes it was and we don’t know what’s going to happen, as actors we aren’t given any clue if it’s going to be rectified or not. For Robson and I, we felt it followed a good pattern because we understood where it all came from. We saw their blow-up at the end of series six and found out a lot more about Geordie as a person and it works really well to find Cathy and Geordie in this situation as a result of that. Cathy is adamant that it’s not going to be the ‘same old, same old’ with her and Geordie and I can’t even imagine finding yourself in that situation in the 1950s but Cathy shows such bravery in turning round and saying, ‘I don’t have to put up with this anymore’.
Cathy has never been one for worrying about what anyone else thinks which is in contrast with Mrs C, who is permanently worried about how she comes across and has this very tricky moral line that she is always trying to pedal but finds it increasingly difficult.
Cathy has never had that, she’s the one to say to Mrs C , ‘Don’t worry about that, forget about that person's opinion, do what you want to do’.
I think Cathy’s career has enabled her to find that strength within herself as well.
There’s a lot going on at Swinnertons in this series and Cathy is at the forefront of it all, can you tell us a bit about that ?
Cathy does like to bang a drum for a cause but because she is fighting on lots of fronts, she feels like she has to speak up for those who aren’t in the same position she is. She does like to stir the pot and she wants to make sure everyone is being treated well at work. She’s a proper socialist and wants there to be equality in the workplace and for people to work together harmoniously, and if that isn’t the case then the consequences will be that they’ll walk out or go on strike, which we see occur in this series.
When she sets up the union with Ms Scott, Cathy recognises the fight that she has to go through working at the Police Station, they are both striving for equality which is the same thing that women are still fighting for now ! That’s what Grantchester manages to do so well, it shines a light onto issues that happened then and still occur today and will resonate with the audience.
Do you ever look back at Cathy’s storylines and think how much her life’s changed/how far she’s come from the first series ?
I do and I think it’s lovely to see. We don’t often see working class women in the 50s who have solid background storylines, they’re usually just seen in a domestic setting so it’s great that Cathy has developed so much as a character.
It’s a situation that’s still very prevalent today, modern women who have children and dedicate that portion of their life to being homemakers and it can often make them feel like they’ve lost their way amongst it all. The prospect of re-entering the world after that time, of performing the difficult role of mother and homemaker, it’s quite daunting and it’s amazing how much things change and how you can feel quite lost as to what move to make next.
It’s easy to forget the skills that you have and that’s why Cathy is quite strong, she’s had to do a lot of parenting on her own and a product of that is that her organisational skills are really good and she’s transferred that over to her career as well as when she advocates for her children that now mirrors how she nurtures those younger members of the team at Swinnertons. She doesn’t want to see them taken advantage of, she looks at herself and these women and recognises that they need their financial independence and understands the struggles that go along with that.
I think we really see Cathy evolve from when she’s had to deal with a creep at work in earlier series and thinks it’s something she’s done wrong or something to do with her to her reaction to calling out Clive two years on shows how her character has developed.
What are the themes that are explored in this series ?
I know that the writers have their own story arc but I think there’s a lot to do with what makes a family and who makes a family - it doesn’t have to mean being related by blood, sometimes it’s about friendship and bonds.
We see it in Mrs C and Leonard's relationship. Mrs C is going through a really challenging time. She sees it as a failure on her part and is almost ashamed of it but he helps her get through it.
Bonnie, played by Charlotte Ritchie, joins this season as Cathy’s niece. What was it like having her in the cast ?
It’s great to extend your family ! I’ve seen Charlotte on loads of programmes so we were all really excited to get this amazing actress coming in and becoming part of the Grantchester troup as it were! We do all genuinely get on really well and it’s lovely, similarly as when Melissa Johns joined as Ms Scott and Bradley Hall joined as Larry, it’s lovely to expand the family base.
For Cathy it’s lovely to have her niece helping out and having someone else to bat things around with. Bonnie is a massive support to Cathy to come and help with the kids and her and Cathy lean on each other because Bonnie has been widowed and she has a little boy and they’ve found a way to make the situation work for both of them.
Tom directed an episode in this series, is that something you ever wanted to have a go at on Grantchester ?
I would never want to direct! I do enjoy writing and it is something I do now and enjoy doing but at the moment because I work as an actress all the time it’s actually quite difficult to get space in your schedule. You’d just have to make the time and make it happen.
I’ve worked on continuing drama for such a long time and it’s enabled me to understand how dialogue is written and as you’re playing it you get a feel for what works and what doesn’t the more you do it. I think I can recognise what constitutes really good dialogue and what is great and when it needs to be edited and I understand the medium, it’s an understanding of what can be done visually or what you can do with just an image of something, how you can tell the story without words. We forget how much we absorb and pick up that doesn’t need to be explained and knowing that the audience will catch you out if you haven’t thought something through properly.
Where do we find Will Davenport at the beginning of series seven ?
Will is very happy in his work and his life in Grantchester but he realises that something is missing and he wants some excitement. He introduces Geordie to the underground world of Jazz clubs and whilst they’re there Will meets someone that changes his life in a lot of ways, for good and for bad.
What does your character have in store for him in this series ?
This series really tests Will’s romantic life and relationships. A person comes into his life and causes a lot of problems because when Will falls in love, he falls hard. Then someone else comes along, who Will wasn’t expecting and they throw a spanner into the works and he has a real dilemma on his hands of what to do. He needs to choose between following his head or his heart.
What was it like directing an episode for series seven ?
It was amazing! It was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had on a set, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was young, I finally got a chance to do it. I couldn’t have asked for a better cast and crew to work with, they’re all my best friends and my family and we all really helped each other through the experience. The Executive Producers were always on hand if I needed help with anything. I was worried beforehand that I might not know what I was doing or that I might have been in too deep but I never felt like that but it all went a lot smoother than I’d anticipated.
The script was great and lots of people asked what it was like for me to direct Robson as we’re so close and if it was difficult but it wasn’t at all, Robson takes direction so well. I knew I was always going to get the result that I needed
So now you’ve experienced both acting and directing, do you prefer being behind the camera or in front of it ?
It’s a tough one! I think directing has the edge for me but that doesn’t mean I’m going to switch careers, I’m just going to try and do both! Maybe not directing myself again as it’s quite odd. As an actor I like a strong director and when you’re directing yourself, you’re constantly asking yourself ‘Was that good? Could I have done that better?’ You have to be objective about yourself and I preferred the days when I could just focus on directing as opposed to trying to do two jobs at the same time.
What are the themes that are explored in this series ?
I think family may be the biggest one in this series. Mrs C finds out some news that tests her own faith and the way that she looks at the family around her. With Will, his storyline with his relationships and something that happens later on in the series that could really destroy everyone. There are a lot of secrets that come to the surface that test the Grantchester family unit and their love for one another and the bonds they’ve made with each other.
Bonnie, played by Charlotte Ritchie, joins this season as Cathy’s niece. What was it like having her in the cast ?
She’s great! I’ve seen Charlotte in a lot of projects before and I was so pleased that she came to star in Grantchester, it was a joy! We got along so well and she’s so funny. We’re lucky that everyone that comes to guest star in the show always fits in so well, there’s never any ego. From day one it felt like Charlotte had been there for years. It was also a great experience working with Ellora Torchia who plays Maya.
There are always some really good guest stars in Grantchester. Who would you most like to have as a guest star ?
I worked with Amanda Abbington a couple of years ago, she played my mum and I loved working with her and I’d love her to star in Grantchester. Maybe I could give Tom Hanks a call? It would be great to get him in an episode. We’re always so lucky with the wealth of talent that we get and that it’s a show that people want to do.
Not many shows continue to run for seven series, what do you think the secret is to Grantchester’s popularity ?
It’s a melting pot of loads of key ingredients. I think it starts with the love for the show, the scripts are so well written, the locations are amazing, the producers, the execs and everyone at ITV care so much about what they are making and they really love the show and that filters down to Robson and I making sure it’s a fun set and I get to work with my best mate every day !
All of us, cast and crew, we really are a family and that really comes across on screen. It’s a beautifully made show by people who love to make it.
You and Robson are both pretty musical, have you ever suggested a Grantchester storyline where you could show that off ?
Of course we have, multiple times! And we’ve been rejected multiple times! Who knows? I still hope that it’ll happen !
You had to pass your motorcycle test for Grantchester, do you enjoy riding the bike? Have you considered buying yourself a motorbike ?
I do like it now but it took a while, I failed the test twice and I had a lot of pressure on me to pass quickly for the show. Motorbikes really are terrifying, I had to practice and you see those superbikes going down the motorway, they’re frightening!One day, I sort of got the thrill and I understood why people love them so much. Now that I've got my licence I tell the Producers that they should make it worth my time and to write as many motorbike scenes as possible! Shots of Will on his motorbike aren’t that exciting for the viewers but for me as an actor, I love it !
I did get offered a motorbike but I don’t have the space for it and I get to ride it in a very safe environment for Grantchester, I feel like there would be a high chance of me crashing if I went out on one on my own !
Where do we find Geordie at the beginning of series seven ?
Geordie is lost at the beginning of this series, he no longer has the safety net of family. He is detached from Cathy and the kids and he’s living with Will at the Vicarage, also feeling lost there and like a fish out of water. There’s a lot of scope for odd couple behaviour, Tom is definitely Jack Lemmon and Geordie is Walter Matthau.
The situation Geordie is in lends itself to lots of levity but he is a shadow of his former self. He’s back to square one and almost a bachelor again and realises he has to try and get Cathy back. It’s a very simple tale for Geordie, a long time ago he met the love of his life in Cathy, then he lost her and now he has to try and win her back. The one person Geordie seeks advice from, who he shouldn’t seek advice from is Will, there’s a funny irony being played out throughout the series. Geordie is also giving Will relationship advice when his own marriage is falling apart. There’s a lovely line that sums it up for Geordie when he says.
‘It’s not the notches on your bed Will but the miles on your clock and you’ve never got out of the driveway.’
That sets up the dynamic between the two of them. Will is pursuing Maya, which turns out to be problematic. As well as Will putting himself in jeopardy, this could jeopardise Geordie’s life and career.
How is Geordie’s relationship with Cathy ?
Although they’re separated, Geordie is the eternal optimist! He calls this a ‘blip’ in the relationship which happens to a lot of couples, they go through their ups and downs and they have to be worked at, which is how he sees it.
Geordie is quite deluded when it comes to his relationship with Cathy, he thinks she’s just going to come back but the more time he spends away from her, the more detached they become and Geordie becomes more of a stranger, not only to Cathy but to their children as well. Everything that anchored Geordie and gave him his sense of worth and belonging and his reasons to carry on is disappearing.
Geordie’s love for Cathy is as strong as it ever was but she has moved on, she’s liberated and found a new life and new freedom. She now has control over her own life which used to be dictated to by Geordie’s work and by Geordie himself, to a certain extent, and Cathy is enjoying all of these changes and this evolution. Geordie not only loses a sense of family and Cathy but also a sense of himself. This is recognised by Will and Bonnie and everyone else around him and they are all trying to get Geordie and Cathy back together but they themselves are the only ones that can do this.
What are the themes that are explored in this series ?
I think the question of ‘what true love is’ is explored in this series. It also looks at secrets and lies, those who not only harbour corrosive secrets that have occurred in their past but secrets about what is currently happening in their life. That situation that occurs with Mrs C which really pulls the rug from everyone’s feet because they’re such a close knit family who depend on one another and if one of them becomes detached, the rest start to fall apart.
The notion that Mrs C keeps her secret from everyone is such a shock but it is what people of that era did, the kind of illness that Mrs C is going through was almost thought of as taboo, the extent of these secrets and lies is varied. It’s unlike today where people are a lot more vocal about their feelings, whether it’s confiding in a friend or talking about it via social media, it’s out there and I think it’s a healthy thing.
Another theme that’s found in this series is that speaking the truth will always set you free. This is true of Mrs C and Geordie also gives this advice to Will. Geordie also takes his own advice and he doesn’t bury the corrosive feelings he’s been having, which also sets Geordie free in the end.
Tom Brittney directed an episode in this series, what was that experience like ?
Tom did a fantastic job and that wasn’t a surprise! Knowing Tom as well as I do, he’s passionate about film making, he understands how to turn something on paper into a very engaging piece of visual grammar, which is one of the big tasks that a director has in front of them. Tom is confident in himself and his ability and that resonates when he is behind the camera as well as in front.
A director has to have confidence and that will bleed onto the set. If a director is insecure or shies away from issues on set that isn’t a nice place to be. Tom is such a likeable person, he understands his abilities as well as his limitations and is very honest about it so that whole package of the person that he is just resonated on the set, it was a very happy place to be as Grantchester always is.
Tom has learnt from some of the best be it Rob Evans, Tim Fywel, Katherine Churcher, Christiana EbohonGreen and he had a great safety net of an incredible team around him including the cast who trust him implicitly. I was mucking about on the first day and he told me ‘Robson, you’re ruining my movie!’ It was a lot of fun !
On Grantchester we strive to push the envelope and try new things and we don’t rest on our laurels as actors, writers or as a team, we’re always making the series better. Tom took the success of series six on board and wanted to make this series even better, more edgy and give it a unique flavour that made the episode that he directed stand out but still in keeping with the DNA of all things Grantchester .
Would you be interested in directing or writing any of the episodes for Grantchester ?
I have directed and written for various projects in the past but I’m more interested in investing in projects now and producing projects. The amount of energy required to direct a TV series is incredible, it’s a 24/seven pursuit and there are other things that I’m now involved in which would sadly get in the way if I was to direct an episode of Grantchester. In my view, it’s a young person’s game. I’d love to direct a movie version of Grantchester but I’m happy being an executive producer and giving people new job opportunities under the tutelage of (executive producer) Emma Kingsman Lloyd. You couldn’t ask for a better teacher in terms of how to make a quality programme that’s going to sell around the world.
My energies are divided into running my film company, producing shows including factual projects, investing in dramas and hopefully soon I’ll be employing other people, cinematographers and directors and giving people a chance to enter this avenue of work and support them going forward in their careers.
Bonnie, played by Charlotte Ritchie, joins this season as Cathy’s niece. What was it like having her in the cast ?
We continue to get great guests on Grantchester and that’s testament to the writing on the show because people want to be part of this very charming and likeable show that has an undercurrent of something very poignant and layered to it and our peers really recognise that. To have actors of the calibre of Charlotte Ritchie in the show is a real acknowledgement of the quality of Grantchester.
Charlotte is a big hitter, she’s A-list and she’s a triple threat because she has that lovely ability not only to play serious issues but she can bring levity to them as well, in a very similar way that Al Weaver does. No matter how serious a situation Charlotte can bring humour where, on paper, there is none. She brings a really likeable aspect to the arc that Tom is pursuing in terms of true love.
There are always some really good guest stars in Grantchester series. Who would you most like to have as a guest star ?
I’d love to have Billy Connolly! I’m also a huge fan of Ben Crompton as well as James Murray, I’m a big fan of his work. There are so many great actors, Rakie Ayola, I think she would be great and Jerome Flynn, he would be great to have in Grantchester, he’s a fantastic actor!
You and Tom are both pretty musical, have you ever suggested a Grantchester storyline where you could show that off ?
Yes! Al Weaver is musical as well, he is a brilliant guitarist and a beautiful singer. Tom is a brilliant guitarist and harmonica player and I play the guitar and I’ve sung a bit! I suggested that there is an off the cuff musical interlude but Emma (Kingsman-Lloyd) didn’t entertain the idea but I’ll continue to pursue it!
Not many shows continue to run for seven series, what do you think the secret is to Grantchester’s popularity ?
It deals with serious subject matter in a very charming and likeable way. It’s the writing and the viewers care about each character and I feel everyone involved in Grantchester, in front of and behind the camera, is at the top of their game.
Do you prefer acting for TV or reality TV – i.e working on your fishing programmes ?
There has been a lot of investment in the North-East, which really excited me. We have a commissioning editor based here for the first time which is revolutionary. It gives small independent companies like mine, hope to get something produced in this area, using people from the area that can be shown nationally and internationally.
I’m in a very privileged position where I like both acting and working on factual programmes, I wouldn’t like to do just one of them all the time. I like that one minute I’m playing a detective and the next I’m doing the fishing show with my mate Jim Murray. I’m in pre-production of a new fishing show for ITV at the moment and I’m really enjoying that!
