If you’re anything like me and you raced through Unforgotten because it was so good – even better than you thought it could be – then you’ll be hankering after another seriously good police drama to watch.
Wait no more, because Grace is back and this one is a belter! Based on the best selling novels by Peter James, Episode One is an adaptation of James’ 6th novel, Dead Like Me.
John Simm reprises his role as Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, with Richie Campbell as his friend and sidekick, DS Glenn Branson. Zoë Tapper plays Senior Anatomical Pathology Technician Cleo Morey, and Craig Parkinson (whom you will no doubt remember as Dot Cottan in Line of Duty) is DS Norman Potting. Laura Elphinstone plays DS Bella Moy in this new series which comprises three feature length films, each running for a meaty, satisfying 2 hours.
There’s a new boss for Grace to contend with and he’s still trying to move forward with his life since his wife Sandy left for work on his 40th birthday and hasn’t been seen since. There’s always something to get in the way of a harmonious relationship with his new partner, though, and a new flatmate is cramping his style a bit.
In this first episode in the new series, Grace is taken back to the past as it seems an old serial rapist has returned after a 10 year absence. Grace isn’t making many new friends as he and his team have to question the guests at his boss’s leaving do at a posh Brighton hotel.
With a dual timeline and some interesting personal developments within the team, this one is a new series not to be missed.
I really like John Simm in this role. He is such an understated actor and he goes about his business here with a quiet authority. The throwbacks to Grace as a more junior detective are really well done and you can see how badly he wants to get it right this time.
Not going to say any more about this episode except that it is a must watch. I’m really looking forward to the next two!
My thanks to ITV and Riot Communications for an opportunity to watch and preview the first in this new series of Grace
Live and Deadly 