Why ‘Grantchester’ Season 5 Is the ‘Most Uncomfortable’ and ‘Best’ Yet

John Russell June 12, 2020, 3:00 pm

Grantchester Season 5 Preview — Courtesy of Kudos/ITV/Masterpiece

In TV’s typical English village, when the vicar shows up, you can expect tea and a chat about the church bazaar. But on Grantchester, Rev. Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) usually accompanies Det. Insp. Geordie Keating (Robson Green, above left, with Brittney), and foul play is afoot!

Life in 1957 Cambridgeshire certainly gives the appearance of tranquility and contentment. Will is hitting his stride after taking over for departing vicar Sidney Chambers (James Norton, who left the show in 2019), and he’s intrigued by local reporter Ellie Harding (Lauren Carse). Geordie, meanwhile, has come to terms with his wife Cathy’s (Kacey Ainsworth) desire to work at a department store — especially once her mum (Paula Wilcox) visits to help out and bring him his slippers.

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“Initially, you think everybody has found their own Eden,” Green says. (During the coronavirus lockdown, the actor — a self-described “keen angler” — has found a bit of that himself on a nearby river.) “But Geordie knows that sooner or later trouble will find a way. Every Eden has its snake.”

In Sunday’s premiere, a student at an all-female college turns up dead after a night of drinking — and there are many murders to come, along with storylines involving drug abuse, racism, homophobia and mental illness. “[Season] 5 is probably the most uncomfortable to watch,” Green admits of the Masterpiece drama. “I thought one of the episodes was way outside the Grantchester brief. I thought, ‘This is not the show.’ But when it was cut together, it was the best episode yet.” In the hour, two boys make a suicide pact, “and a dark secret is unveiled that has a devastating effect on the main characters.”

Tom Brittany Robson Green Grantchester Season 5 Will Geordie

(Courtesy of Kudos/ITV/Masterpiece)

Let’s take a step back, though, in case you’re reconsidering tuning in to Grantchester at all. “In my view, this is the best [season],” Green says, promising, “It still maintains its humor. It still maintains its life-affirming themes.” And Will and Geordie’s growing bond is a pleasure to watch. With Sidney, the detective could relate as a fellow veteran; they shared the experience of war. With Will, “he’s the son I never had. I’m the father he’s never had,” Green explains. “That lovely relationship is really cemented.”

Grantchester, Season Premiere, Sunday, June 14, 9/8c, PBS (check local listings at pbs.org)

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RedButton
Jun 15, 2020
I feel this first episode was contrived and very disappointing. It was disjointed and actually a bit silly. Just my opinion.

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CyanFries
Jun 21, 2020
Finding it extremely boring.Loved the first 4 seasons

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GoldTrumpet
Jun 16, 2020
Strong start . I’m already loving this season.

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GoldTrumpet
Jun 16, 2020
I really, really miss James!!!

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OrangeLamp
Jun 17, 2020
I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to this season. Although I miss Sydney, I think his story was getting played out. Will has alot of history that sounds interesting and a wide open future. Excited to see what happens next in Granchester.

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Blue8Ball
Oct 5, 2020
Life was like that, the writer was depicting life as it was (and it was worse, we were just door mats)

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Blue8Ball
Oct 5, 2020
I cannot, simply cannot, understand why they would do this series with narrations? Are we dumb? It is sooooo distracting. Annoyingly so. It's like directing a show for kiddies...... 'oh look, he is now walking up the stairs and turning left' Really?? Wow, I simply couldn't see that for myself! Duh!
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GreenQuill
Aug 19, 2020
I could not agree with you more. It is really too bad such beautiful sets, costumes and talented actors but someone is PUSHING a very liberal agenda and obvious hatred for the church. I won't recommend this show to anyone.

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GreenPlane
Jul 16, 2020
Wow misogynistic!!!!

- so far 4 eps in & female protagonist GUILTY (representative of reality... not). What's wrong Daisy Coulson? Are you angry about something?

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OrangeController
Jun 13, 2020
Once the shows start being social activism I stop watching.

They should do re runs of Joan Hickson's as miss Marple. Or Lord Peter Wimsey, Poirot , Sherlock Holmes. They are period pieces and never get dated.

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  OrangeBasketball
  Jun 14, 2020
  Maybe the Hallmark Channel is more your style.
  
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GreenButton
Jun 14, 2020
Here we go again.

Stopped watching Grantchester after it became nothing more then a radical leftist re-education tool.

So sad, the original series was lovely. Just the same as Call the Midwife etc.

When is this divisive false narrative going to stop?

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