Grantchester, Series 2: where it's filmed, James Norton's chest, and three other things you need to know

The Fifties-set crime drama is back – with the hottest name in TV
Ben Travis2 March 2016

James Norton is the hottest name in TV at the moment – and he’s absolutely everywhere. Change the channel, and chances are you’ll see that handsome face staring back at you.

After setting hearts a-flutter in War & Peace, and currently scaring us all witless in Happy Valley, he’s back in heart-throb mode as Grantchester returns to ITV.

Norton plays Sidney Chambers in the mystery series, a vicar-slash-crime-fighter who teams up with Robson Green’s Police Inspector Geordie Keating in 1950s Cambridge.

Here are five things you need to know about the new series.

1) Some of it is filmed in actual Grantchester

Packed with idyllic shots of the Great British countryside, it’s enough to make you want to seek out some of the UK’s beautiful green pastures.

The show often films in the real-life Granchester, just outside Cambridge. For the second series, some scenes were filmed in Cambridge city centre, and in London.

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2) James Norton is back – as is his chest

If his Happy Valley character is a bit too scary to take, Norton’s back in the good books (or is he? See number five) as the emotionally vulnerable and very handsome Sidney.

He’s going all Poldark this series too – Norton strips off for a lakeside scene which is likely to be paused and rewound all across the country.

Bonus: there’s also a clip of him falling in said lake while messing around on set with Robson Green.

3) It’s not as grim as Happy Valley

As brilliant as the BBC’s complex and darkly funny crime thriller is, it’s often a tough watch too.

While Grantchester still deals in death and emotional turmoil, Sidney and Geordie’s mysteries offer a welcome break from the grim exploits of Sarah Lancashire’s Sargeant Cawood.

4) Neil Morrissey has joined the cast

The Men Behaving Badly star plays grieving father Harding Redmond in Series 2, sporting a fetching Fifties tache.

Neil Morrissey joins the cast as Harding Redmond
ITV / Lovely Day

5) Sidney’s in trouble with the law

That doesn’t mean things are going to be rosy though – the death of Harding’s young daughter brings a connection to Sidney, whose name is mentioned in the girl’s diary.

Hence accusations of the pair having an inappropriate relationship, and suspicions that Sidney might have been involved in her death...

Will Sidney be able to prove his innocence? Tune in to find out.

ITV, 9pm

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