My freshman year, I got hooked on "Downton Abbey." If you have no idea what Downton Abbey is, ask any girl who watches PBS Masterpiece and you'll get the summary. But during one of these watch parties with my chaplain and best friend, I watched a commercial for an upcoming show called "Grantchester." It showed no romance, so of course I was intrigued by what kind of show PBS could be hosting that had virtually no romance in it's preview. And so my curiosity killed me, forcing me to watch the first episode of "Grantchester" within the privacy of my own dorm. The rest is history, and here I am, waiting on the next season. But while I'm waiting, I thought I might share what got me hooked in hopes that you might get hooked too.
1. James Norton as Sidney Chambers.
Sidney Chambers, an optimistic vicar, is the main character of "Grantchester," who is played by James Norton. When I first saw James Norton, he played Oliver Ashford in the movie "Belle," which came out in 2013. When I saw him on the commercial for "Grantchester," I didn't recognize him, but when I looked him up again, I found that I was already familiar with his acting, which is always a plus. He's a phenomenal actor, recently playing Prince Andrei in the BBC One adaptation of "War and Peace" by Tolstoy, and revising his role in "Happy Valley" as Tommy. If you haven't seen him act, you're really missing out.
2. Robson Green as Geordie Keating.
Geordie Keating is the damper to any and all of Sidney's optimism. A realist and father of four kids, he's seen it all in his years of being a detective. Geordie doesn't take any shenanigans and believes people can be easily moved to kill or harm, which causes a lot of friction between him and Sidney. I've never seen Robson Green act before, but when I first watched "Grantchester," I thought he looked a lot like Ralph Fiennes' "M" in the James Bond series. They act quite similar as well and Green's acting as Geordie does the character justice. You'll enjoy his quick wit and sharp criticism as a way to bring Sidney back to reality.
3. The "realistic mystery" theme.
"Grantchester" is based on the series "The Grantchester Mysteries" by James Runcie and the books provide a very solid base for the plot, which follows Sidney Chambers as a vicar turned detective and his endeavors to solve the mysteries in Grantchester, England. Each episode provides a new mystery, and I find myself racing to figure out who the true culprit is (sometimes there are two culprits!) while continuing the plot of his life and his romantic overtures. (Yes, there actually is romance. It's just not advertised.)
4. Realistic romantic plots.
A hidden love? Flings? Extended periods of singleness? Check, check and check! "Grantchester" provides a lot more in the area of realistic love stories. For instance, not everyone is trying to get married off. In fact, Sidney's life and his work as a vicar turned detective is much more important to the story than his love life is. Which, by the way, makes the story much more interesting. I feel like I could run into these characters in my own hometown and not think twice about it.
5. Relatable struggles.
Sure, Sidney is a vicar in a town where murders (or attempted murders or thefts or... you name it) happen more often than I blow my own nose, but that doesn't stop each character from having a very noticeable morality about them. Geordie and Sidney are very different when it comes to how to deal with situations, which makes it even more interesting, but they can come together and solve a crime, ending up being the best of friends in the end. Oh, and the eighth commandment is "Thou Shall Not Steal." In case you were wondering.
6. Still carries that "old-world" charm.
There isn't constant scandal within the town or over-dramatized plot lines. In fact, even with all of the mystery, it can be a ridiculously simple and easy to follow show. Each show has it's own mystery, however, there is always the backstory that keeps moving. Plus, the old fashioned scenery makes you wish for a time when record players were still the norm.
7. Location, location, location!
The scenery is astoundingly beautiful, from the houses to the backyards to the calming train station. There isn't an ugly set in "Grantchester," and that really contributes to the idea that this can be, and is, a utopia for many of its inhabitants. I cannot get enough of this show and the sets; it's just astounding.
8. The music.
BBC has a knack for good music that fits the overall theme. Of course, there is a lot of jazz in this show because it's set in the 1950s and features lots of old music. It's all authentic and beautiful and gives you a deeper insight into Sidney and the people around him.
9. Deals with social and moral issues within the community.
This show isn't surface level stuff. I've only seen a few shows that actually deal with the moral conscious and even mental illness (Sidney has a very bad case of PTSD) in a way that doesn't shame it's victims, but shows vulnerable and hurting characters on the small screen. The social issues are rooted in the treatment of blacks and Africans during that time in England and how Sidney, a white Christian male, responds to these issues. It's a very "aware" show.
So if you're bored this summer - take a look at "Grantchester!" It'll be worth your time, and you may even find some other reasons to love this show!
