User Reviews

Or that's how it appears. Do priests, Catholic or Anglican, seek refuge in the church as a shield from their own pain?

Sidney, a handsome ginger and Anglican priest, lives in the shadow of his past, so severely traumatized by a wartime incident that he seeks refuge not only in the church but from the bottom of a bottle and the burning embers of a cigarette. Neither option offers much.

In the end Sidney only wants to be loved and ventures outside the church with his friend Geordie, a detective, fighting crime and solving murders, which seemingly helps him find purpose.

The problem I have with these small-town detective stories is trying to figure out how so many murders can take place in such a single tiny geographical area.

A wonderful supporting cast from the love of his life, to the confused gay curate, the talented detective and the prudish zealot of a housekeeper.

In the states it's presented as a part of Masterpiece Theater. Check it out and you'll start to feel really good about yourself as a person.

Two extremely hot men (in my opinion), James Norton and Robson Green, star in "Grantchester," a series about a vicar (Norton) and the mysteries he solves with the help of a local police detective (Green).

Norton plays Sidney Chambers and Robson plays Geordie Keating. One of the better supporting roles belongs to Tessa Peake-Jones as Mrs. Maguire, Chambers' mouthy housekeeper.

Chambers is troubled by his war experiences and views his parishioners with great compassion and a sense of forgiveness. As he says, "I'm in a profession where people tell me everything," to which Keating replies, "That's funny, because I'm in a profession where people don't tell me anything." Chambers becomes somewhat of an amateur detective. After a rocky start, he and Keating become friends and bounce ideas off of one another. Keating likes that Chambers is more human than vicar-ish, not above a night on the town. Keating is married with a family; Chambers is pining for his love, Amanda Kendall (Morven Christie) who is marrying someone else.

The setting is a small British village, Grantchester, immediately post-war. It is beautifully photographed, has many light moments and many dramatic moments.

Norton does a great job as a contemplative man grappling with his own thoughts and feelings as he tries to help others. This for me is a different kind of role for Robson Green. There was a time, back in his Reckless days, when he was where Norton is now - young and hunky. Now he's older but just as sexy. In this series he gets to show his talent for humor as well as pathos, playing a tired, sometimes grouchy, jaded man balancing a family of a wife and small children and his caseload. Once he asked Chambers if someone was honest. "Well," Chambers says, "he wants to be an MP." Keating says, "I'll take that as a no." Really good series, entertaining with lots of eye candy. And I like Chambers' sermons.

Maybe Patzak1974 is unaware that this series is based on stories by James Runcie, son of a former Archbishop of Canterbury who had himself served as a tank commander in WW2 before being ordained. Though James wasn't born until 1959, I think we can assume that he based the character of Sidney on conversations he had had with his father about his wartime experiences and how they affected his faith.

Personally, I find the character much more believable than many portrayals of clergy I've seen in TV dramas. At least he is correctly addressed as "Mr Chambers", since the American habit of addressing priests as "Reverend" had not then reached these shores!

I have just finished viewing the sixth episode of Granchester and am pleased to see that the series is being continued for another season. After viewing the sixth show, I detect a dramatic shift in the characters who have now become very close friends. The show has also matured into a somewhat dark, psychological drama where the pain and the character flaws of the two men are as much a part of the show as the murder mysteries they solve together.

At the start of the series, the police officer, Geordie Keating, played by Robson Green, was suspicious of the idealistic vicar, Sidney Chambers, played by James Norton, whose life was so different than his own. After a few months, Sidney wins Geordie's friendship by using his intuitive skills to help him solve the ongoing murders that plague the village. Geordie is a no nonsense police officer with a wife and four children who is made to appear almost as a "Columbo" figure (from the U.S. television show in the 1970's and 80's) with his worn-out raincoat and hunched figure. He is a drinker and a World War II veteran. Chambers also likes to imbibe, a bit too much, and has had a series of ill-fated affairs, going against the grain for an Anglican vicar. Chambers is well aware of his shortcomings but he has a huge heart which not only endears him to women but enables him to see the best in the people of his village.

Chambers also helps Geordie through a serious crisis in his family when one of his children becomes seriously ill and Geordie is unable to be with his family and share the pain that his wife Cathy is feeling; he has been trained in both war and peace to keep emotions in check. Chambers has a great heart but he is no fool and when there is a murder, he jumps right into the action, giving the overworked Geordie the benefit of his insights. We see a number of sub-plots in the series, with some comic relief from the vicar's housekeeper, Mrs. McGuire, who treats her boss like a wayward son, finding the empty whiskey bottles and watching his liaisons with the women in his life. Then there is Sidney's curate, who is unwise to the world and full of false dreams about his idyllic life as a country priest. His naive nature soon takes a beating under the patient and watchful eye of Sidney, who has much more experience to draw upon.

Sidney must also navigate around the impending marriage of his former lover who he stills sees socially from time to time. It is clear that the two still care deeply for one another. The show has some dramatic flashbacks for Sidney that haunt him long after the war. Geordie has also been through the ordeal of war and knows the moral ambiguities that Sidney faces. The personal sides of the two men have become more pronounced as the show moved through subsequent episodes. I am looking forward to seeing the next season.

As another has written, I came to Grantchester after a few seasons of Father Brown. While another "priest+cop" series seemed redundant, Grantchester is brilliantly written and acted.

Sydney Chambers (the Vicar of Grantchester) is conflicted...almost tortured by the choices he faces; the complications of the crimes that drive the main part of the story don't make Sydney's life any easier. (No add'l info on this as that would be a spoiler.)

The last time I was this caught up in a British detective series was with Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes. Yes; it's that good - even better.

Go with it; you won't be sorry.

I very much enjoyed seasons 1 and 2 - another "cozy" mystery series, gorgeously filmed and well-acted. The mysteries themselves are self-contained from episode to episode, while character development story arcs take place in the background to tie things together. As other reviewers have noted, the writers have made hero Sidney Chambers remarkably liberal and modern in his views. Perhaps in 1953 there were small-town vicars with such attitudes, but after a while it feels unrealistic.

For whatever reason, season 3 fell flat for me, to the extent I thought they might have changed writers. Perhaps it's the peaking of a couple of those story arcs in season 2, but I found that I no longer cared very much about the characters, while the mysteries began to feel secondary to the characters' stories. I'm unlikely to come back for season 4.

Grantchester since the very first episode has been particularly good viewing, the concept of a clergyman helping the local detective solve all manner of village crimes initially seemed a wee bit far fetched,and better suited to the Father Brown afternoon slot,but it's totally engaging, intriguing, and sometimes contains a level of grit.

The combination of Robson Green and James Norton as Sidney and Geordie is a good one, they play of each other incredibly well, they frequently see all that is good and bad in one another. Tessa Peake Jones is particularly good as Mrs Maguire.

I can't recall seeing a bad episode, always consistent, some of the standout episodes include the finale of series one, and series three's Christmas special. I'm impressed how they manage to make each episode feel so unique, and the personal lives of the lead duo add to the story.

A perfect way to end the week, Sunday evening Grantchester. 8/10

As the wise Mrs. M. knows, I NEED Sidney Chambers. Even though ALL of the remaining actors do a wonderful job, for me the show WAS Sidney Chambers. I didn't watch it to find out whodunit! I watched it to see Sidney's world, the murder mystery was incidental. Without his character brilliantly portrayed by James Norton, Grantchester is just too sad. I don't want to be reminded constantly of the loss. S4E1 was the end for me, too.

I like Grantchester for the period costumes and the Cambridgeshire setting, the plots are rather tame but what I do dislike about it is that the attitudes that it portrays are so anachronistic. The scriptwriters are becoming more determined to add in 21st century attitudes and to be politically correct, and this is completely out of place for a drama set in the 1950s. I had a rolling eyes moment when Chambers and Keating greeted each other with a hug - for heaven's sake, British men didn't even do that in the 1980s, let alone the 1950s! A handshake would have been a sign of affection but a hug - absolutely not. I really can't see a vicar that I would have known in my youth (in the 1970s) let himself go to that extent, I'm thinking in particular or the 'simulated sex on the dance floor scene' - even non-clergy wouldn't have behaved like that in the 1950s. People just didn't behave like that in public.

Another reviewer felt that Grantchester was better than Jeremy Brett's Sherlock; I think absolutely not. I know my British history in great depth and that version of Sherlock had an authentic feel of Victorian Britain. Grantchester viewers could be left thinking that the 1950s were not much different to today, just different clothes, and that certainly isn't true.

Just happened upon this new mystery series. I have a life long love affair with UK Mystery Series. I adore the new Father Brown Series with Mark Williams of *Harry Potter & more fame* (Adore Alex Price as SID) and... At first glance you may think this a similar series, however this is not the case, quite the opposite. Father Brown is upbeat and moves quickly. Grantchester is moody, brooding and moralistic. Every episode delivers a heavy haunting message. I am fascinated with the ending sermonettes, recounting it's previous tale into a tasteful dose of morality via reality. For this and many more reasons, I think I am mesmerized. I think it will be easy for folkes to become enthralled with the lead character/priest, James Norton, whom may be my new secret love. Handsome, He truly is remarkable in this role. Truly believable and immediately relat'able as a person conflicted with strolling down a safe path vs racing a treacherous country road with lust and gusto. His face is intoxicating. This time piece is peacefully captured with vignettes of rich objects identifying a long gone world of wonderment and scenery serene to dye your soul. I discovered this series, having just re-watched every episode of Wire In The Blood with Robson Greene, I looked Robson up to find he is playing a DI in Grantchester...His character in this is quirky, yet very direct, leaving the conflicts with his soul at Wire In The Blood and to his newfound friend and cohort in crime. I hope this series runs forever, or a least a few more years.

I have not read the books. Therefore I enter as a virgin into the land of Grantchester. So, to me, it is a pleasant, light, somewhat funny, charming show. If we accept the idea that the Director meant to make the show in that way, I think that it is successful. I think the acting is excellent, and the stories are within reason, and interesting,but not hard-hitting because the show is not meant to be "film noir". It is light entertainment. I don't have to really believe that a Vicar, Sidney Chambers (James Norton),is regularly solving murders with his friend, Geordie, the police detective. I need not believe that a seemingly small town would have so many murders--one or more weekly--OK, let's say the time frame is two months apart, still.....you get it. So I give this show a 9 because I do enjoy it. I particularly like the acting of James Norton as the Vicar, but all are good.

We loved this series through three seasons. The fourth is unfaithful to the characters, has absurd plots, and is poorly written. We won't be watching Season Five.

Watching this after having watched all of "Call the Midwife" and slogging through all five seasons of "Poldark". Quite enjoyable so far, if a bit sedate. Had a bit of a hoot at the expense previous reviewer who thought they'd spotted a serious anachronism when "Barefoot Contessa" was mentioned in one scene, thinking the reference was to the pop-culture cooking show of that name from the early 2000's, rather than the 1954 Oscar and Golden Globe-winning Humphrey Bogart movie, which would have been a current reference at the time.

Good writing and acting, we'll see if it holds up throughout.

Disclaimer: I have read the books and am very disappointed in how ITV has brought them to television, but I'll try to avoid criticisms that are merely, "It's not the way it was in the book." (Although I have plenty of them!)

As indicated in my summary, I rate Grantchester as watchable. If you enjoy light-hearted period detective shows then you will probably be quite happy whiling away an hour now and then viewing it. The issue is that it could have been so much better. The biggest problem is with the portrayals of the main character, Sidney, and his long-time lady friend, Amanda. In the television show they are both middle class, plain vanilla, rom-com characters. (Well, I may be overstating that by a little, but not by much!) In contrast, their characters in the book were both rather eccentric, upper class individuals. Amanda, particularly, sparkled in the books with wit, intelligence, and a tendency to do the unexpected. Would that the television Amanda could do the same. This fault becomes all the more apparent if one compares Grantchester to other period detective books that have been brought to television. Whether it be Poirot, Campion, or Peter Wimsey, these other adaptations all had that wit and sparkle that brought the shows to life and would, I suspect, have been approved of by their original authors. Somehow I can not imagine James Runcie being very pleased with ITV's Grantchester.

This review is a little late but better late than never. I was so disappointed and angry with the way James Norton's character, Sidney, left the show. Why didn't the writers just let him leave the clergy to be with Amanda instead of some woman he just met. This was so unfair to the fans of the show. I hated seeing him leave but to imagine him happy with the woman he has loved all these years would have made it a little easier to take. Now I am just mad.

It's a pleasant enough whodunnit but it's not the most historically accurate of things. It's also a bit lazy. I can understand why 21st century realities exist in a show set in the 1950s but you'd think the writers would make an effort to explain why racially diverse characters are apparently so common in rural England. At the time they certainly weren't as ubiquitous in this setting. In fact, they were vanishingly rare outside of the main cities so rather than doing uncommented on token casting they could have written the occasional backstory to explain these historically improbable people. Then there's little things like zero research on very specific things a writer only has contemporary understanding of. For example, in one episode a character refers to lidocaine and that word was never used in Britain during that period since it was universally referred to as lignocaine in the UK for at least 3 decades after the setting of this show. These things aside, it's not an unreasonable way to waste 45 minutes.

An alcoholic skirt-chasing priest, a timid gay curate, a five-foot police inspector who wears a six-foot overcoat in all kinds of weather, and a stern housekeeper with a heart of gold. Who wouldn't love it? This is the stuff of British Soaps invading Masterpiece Theater, albeit cast in the popularly retro 1950's. Or at least what a politically correct screen writer in 2014 imagines the 1950's to have been.

Seriously, I enjoy flawed stereotypes as a rule, and this one takes the cake. No Father Brown sly jokes here. Just all very earnestly sentimental. I guess it's even been renewed for a third season. Great fun! I wonder what twisted deeds will work their way into the next few episodes, making fun of fallen icons...especially those in the Church of England. And making us feel good that those bad old days are behind us.

I have a good idea for a 45-minute plot: have the priest fall for a gorgeous woman who wants desperately to be a priest but can't wait for the 21st Century to make it a reality. He can switch her off with all the other women in town, agonizing as his raging hormones drive him to drink and despair. He is then saved by her eventually deciding to be a deaconess, whilst he takes his dog for a walk before going over to give his cop mate a big hug.

Wait a minute! I think that will sell equally well over at Hollyoaks. Update 2019: Season 4 reveals the more things change, the more they stay the same. Still unintentionally comic.

I appreciate the integration of theology, church, via sermons and parish life in the show-even when the vicars changes their mind later about what they said. It makes the episodes more meaningful.

The Leonard storyline as a gay curate was developed with skill and captured a healthy amount of complexity, especially the relations between Leonard and Mrs C. And loved the incorporation of Cathy's work life.

I didn't want to like the new vicar but I love him, except for the continuation of the tortured souls re women and the drinking and smoking. Really, less is more in this case. It would help to have a wise elder character in the parish as Will feels too young.

Many reviewers mentioned the political theme. It's a draw for me to see how these characters would interact with political issues. Some people must have dealt with such matters as they didn't just pop out of the blue. It's nice to have imagined allies (mostly) in the past as it is to imagine a vicar who is a lead detective in the 1950s solving murders in a very little town every week. :)

Terrific. BBC does it again. LOVE the cast.. great ensemble. Mysteries excellent. Beautiful country. England after WW ll done well. James Norton a big beautiful hunk as the minister rides a bicycle, and the country side he rides thru has me planning to visit Grantchester .... Robson Green the local Irish police inspector is as always terrific to watch. Can't say enough good things about Grantchester. It's got it all. Dashing and sensitive leading man ( and a vicar to boot!) gruff policeman with a heart of gold and a gay curate. There are even a few clever and amusing women thrown in ( What the Dickens!) However, this is not just about solving murders in a small village in England; it explores the effects of the second world war on many people, plus the "class thing" in England and let's not forget love, mostly unrequited! Throughly enjoyable and I can't wait for season 2.