'Grantchester' is returning for a fifth series.

Tom Brittney

Tom Brittney

The ITV drama will see Robson Green and Tom Brittney reprising their respective roles as DI Geordie Keating and his new crime-fighting partner, parish priest Will Davenport, after Tom replaced James Norton as a lead character during series four.

Emma Kingsman-Lloyd, Kudos' executive producer, said: "We are very excited that 'Grantchester' is returning for a fifth series.

"The audience has taken the pairing of Robson Green and Tom Brittney to their hearts and we are delighted to be able to continue the story of Geordie and Will with Masterpiece and ITV."

The fifth series will begin in Cambridge in 1957, the year Prime minister Harold Macmillan told the British public they had "never had it so good".

And while there are certainly positive signs in Grantchester, trouble is never too far away for Geordie.

The latest scenes will start shooting in Cambridgeshire this summer, and further casting news will be announced at a later date.

'McMafia' star James - who played charming clergyman Sidney Chambers - previously admitted he felt the time was right to depart the ITV drama to pursue other opportunities.

He said: "I fancy an adventure - I'd love to spend a bit more time in New York or LA, I'm open to opportunities."

But before his departure during series four, he managed to get some of his family members small cameos in the show.

He said: "Yes, in fact this is a bit embarrassing: we've got a scene where there's a big outdoor fete and not only is my dad coming, but my mum and my two aunts as well!

"They've been begging me the whole time, 'Please can we?' So my Aunt Bridget and Aunt Alison are going to be people visiting the fete."


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