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- [Narrator] Over the years, there's been
no shortage of murder, mystery,
and mayhem in the seemingly quiet village of Grantchester.
And police detective Geordie Keating,
and resident vicar Sidney Chambers--
or vicar Will Davenport, or vicar Alphy Kottaram--
they are always on the case.
- [Geordie] Body in a hotel, on a Sunday.
- [Will] Is nothing sacred?
- [Narrator] As this much-loved series
approaches its final chapter
join us for a celebration of the characters,
the stories, the stars and the setting
that have made "Grantchester"
on MASTERPIECE Mystery
one of PBS's most enduring hits.
- Does... that sound alright to you?
(birds softly chirping)
- It sounds wonderful.
- [Narrator] There's no mystery as to why
"Grantchester" is so popular.
The colorful characters, gorgeous locations,
nostalgic settings and heartwarming romances--
along with the occasional murder--
make this show irresistible.
So, follow along as we take you behind the scenes
to the English countryside
with the cast and creators of "Grantchester"
to highlight our favorite scenes, characters and cases.
We'll also investigate our absolute favorite episode
from each of the ten seasons,
and we'll take a sneak peek at the upcoming
final season of "Grantchester."
So put on a pot of tea.
- Forget the tea-- get the sherry.
- [Narrator] Prepare your pointed questions.
- I'm not quite sure you're getting this.
We're the ones that ask the questions.
- [Narrator] And see if your list of favorites matches ours.
As we reveal
"Our Favorite Things About Grantchester."
(whooshing sound) (intriguing orchestral theme)
(theme fading)
Vicars may come and go, but the one constant in Grantchester--
and on "Grantchester"-- is Inspector Geordie Keating.
- I hear you've got yourself a rotten apple.
- [Robson] I mean, on paper, come on--
a vicar and a detective?
Solving crimes in...
quintessentially English Grantchester?
Really?
But it works because you care
about that central heart piece...
- [Geordie] I know that must have cost you personally,
and I am grateful, Mr. Davenport.
(tentative piano music)
(chair scuffing floor) - Please.
(hands clasping)
Call me Will.
- [Geordie] Geordie.
Good to meet you, Will.
- He made every day a joy to, to go into
and we, and we made each other better actors.
And that was good to be, you know, opposite
Robson Green and trying to match him.
That was, that was pretty fun.
- [Narrator] Geordie is gruff and stubborn,
but also clever and kind.
- [Geordie] You want me to arrest your husband?
- My babies need food on the table.
They need a father.
(gentle stroking)
- [Geordie] They need a mother, too.
Just nod your head, Ri.
- (voice breaking) Haven't you got lovely hands?
(hands clasping)
- He's not going to stop until he kills you.
- [Narrator] Geordie has a keen understanding
of what motivates people to kill,
and a definitive sense of right and wrong.
- Drop the charges against the Redmonds.
Everything you have done to them,
everything you've put them through.
(dramatic string and piano music)
It's time to do some good.
- [Robson] He's uh, a no-nonsense, plain speaking,
honest man with incredible integrity.
- [Geordie] If you're trying to help someone,
why do you hold them by the throat so hard
you nearly break their collarbone?
(swallowing)
And when they stop breathing, why don't you call a doctor?
(muffled murmuring)
Why do you leave them dead on a floor?
Like a piece of rubbish.
(murmuring) (ominous string music)
- [Robson] The relationship between Sidney and Geordie--
how that is fractured, because it comes from something...
where they are pulled apart in their opinion over a key issue.
- I don't like murder, even for murderers.
- It's not murder-- it's justice, Sidney.
People need it, the Redmonds--
I need it.
This job, the things we see?
It has to mean something.
- [Narrator] Good cop. Family man.
But Geordie isn't perfect.
He has flaws and
demons that are a constant struggle for him.
- They're all living in the shadow of, of death.
They're all living in the shadow of World War II.
And therefore, the scars of that war, the mental scars and the
physical scars and the trauma of that event
and that experience, they manifest themselves in
very strange ways throughout the series.
- [Will] What's this?
- [Geordie] It's a list.
(somber piano music)
- [Geordie] Of the men that died in our time
at the prisoner of war camp.
It was the last man's job to tell the families
what had happened to their boys.
(Geordie tsking)
I was the last man.
(somber music continuing)
- [Narrator] Geordie also struggles
with the cultural shifts around him.
- [Geordie] Bloody kids going too fast.
(car door slamming)
It's a, uh, what do you call it?
- Ah, dunno, boss.
- Metaphor,
everything that's wrong in the world.
- [Narrator] He doesn't do well with change.
(tailor's tape extending) - [Geordie] Oi!
- [Narrator] Whether it be in his marriage, or at work.
- I'm not ready to go.
(background phones ringing)
Not yet.
(typewriters clacking)
I've still got a lot to give.
- [Robson] We have this new boss, Elliot.
Funny enough, he's probably the
first character who's actually gone,
"What on earth is a vicar doing in
(laughing) this police station?
Is it just me?"
(steps crunching on gravel) - Inspector Keating!
Aren't you off duty?
(steps crunching) (bird calling)
- Well, I was already here when the body was found.
- [Elliot] Then what the hell are you doing
giving a civilian access to the crime scene?
- We-, eh... my fault.
I was offering a final prayer.
(birds chirping)
But if it helps, I do think the poor man was here all night.
- [Elliot] (interrupting) Thank you, sir.
You can be on your way.
(upbeat orchestral music)
- [Narrator] But the one change Geordie has dealt with
over and over again
is who serves as the vicar of Grantchester.
- You're the new vicar?
- I'm the new vicar.
- Right.
Well...
(distant clock ticking)
Apologies for the--
- [Kottaram] For the assault.
- Misunderstanding.
(upbeat orchestral music fading in)
- [Narrator] Whatever trouble Geordie faces,
he knows that he can count on the vicar of Grantchester,
whoever it may be at the time.
(energetic music continuing)
Of course, we could not look back
(whooshing sound) at "Grantchester" without
examining our favorite things about Sidney.
(energetic music continuing)
In the beginning, there was Sidney Chambers--
our first vicar, our jazz lover, our conflicted hero.
(energetic music continuing)
- [James Norton] He has this problem with alcohol,
and... his relationships with women,
and this constant feeling
that he's not doing enough by his job.
- [Narrator] Sidney cared deeply--
some might say too deeply-- for his congregation.
His sympathy, where others might judge,
was a hallmark of his character.
- Sidney understands the human heart.
He, himself, has done things he's not proud of.
He doesn't see a murderer and a victim, he sees humans.
And... I think he just...
he can understand them.
He doesn't judge them.
- A man who takes his own life is going straight to hell.
- [Sidney] Life is a glorious gift.
(distant bird calling)
One that should not be discarded lightly.
(birds softly chirping)
But for some... the trials of life can be a terrible burden.
"Verily I say unto you,
all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men."
(birds softly chirping)
"All sins shall be forgiven."
- [James Norton] People always turn to him for help
and he finds himself in the middle of all these
messy situations, partly because people, yeah--
people rely on him.
- [Abigail] Does God forgive anything?
How bad do you have to be before he won't forgive you?
- I'd say... pretty bad.
(sorrowful string music)
- And what, what if you can't forgive yourself?
(sorrowful music continuing)
- [James Runcie] I didn't want Sidney
to be a goody-goody.
I wanted him to be flawed.
I wanted him to be anxious.
And... I wanted to give him depth, and seriousness, and
moral ambiguity, and complexity, and even...
s-, uh, flaws like vanity-- slightly vain.
The key thing about Sidney is
he's curious about other people.
His curiosity is the crucial thing.
And it's curiosity that, of course,
ultimately makes him a detective.
- [Narrator] His relationship with Geordie
started without fanfare.
- [Geordie] Sorry to keep you waiting, uh, Mr... Chambers.
Inspector Keating.
(footsteps)
(to Annie) You behave yourself, Annie.
- [Annie] Piss off, Geordie!
- [James Norton] Geordie and Sidney realize very quickly
that they can use each other.
Sidney can... get the excitement he needs
in life from the detective works,
Geordie can use Sidney to, uh, wheedle his way into places
and people's confidences,
which otherwise, he might not be able to get into.
- We don't confess our sins to
our best friends, or...
or our mums and dads.
Most of us-- sometimes-- confess to the clergy.
And that's a really good tool
to have if you're a detective.
So people say things to Sidney
that they would never say to Geordie.
- I'll only talk to him!
(footsteps and soft chatter)
- Give me a minute?
- See? They fall at your bloody feet.
(footsteps)
- Charm is the crucial thing.
I wanted him to be charming
and I want the series to be charming.
And that's one of the key things.
I wanted to be charming with edge.
(chuckling)
- [Narrator] Sidney struggles to sort out his
feelings for the many women in his life.
- What is it with you and women?
- It's a mess.
That's what it is.
- They fall at your feet.
Even my Cathy thinks you're a catch.
- With Sidney, it's never a crisis of faith.
I think it's always a crisis of self.
I think he never feels good enough.
He doesn't feel good enough for Amanda.
(fireworks exploding) He doesn't feel
good enough for the church.
- [James Norton] He is a flawed individual.
And that's why-- that's what makes him so fantastic to play.
-Are you going to tell me, or do I have to guess?
- I spent the night with Gloria.
(silence)
- Bloody hell.
- I'm supposed to set an example.
(inhaling deeply)
I'm supposed to be above reproach.
- It was no good, then?
- No, that's... That's not what I'm saying.
- So, it was good.
You sly old dog, Sidney.
- [Narrator] One woman in particular haunts
him even after she marries another.
- [Morven] In different circumstances,
I think they would absolutely have
been together and I think they're
both very aware of that.
And that's what creates...
so much difficulty,
and the inability to truly walk away from each other.
- [Sidney] Why do you always have to do that?
Why do you always have to give me hope?
- Sidney! - Go home!
- I'm sorry!
I didn't mean to ups- - [Sidney] Why are you here?
Why do you keep coming back-- what's the point?
- [James Norton] In the 50s, a vicar would not be
allowed to marry a divorced woman.
So however much they're in love, and however perfect it feels in
the moment, they are, in the very traditional sense,
star-crossed, and ultimately can never be together.
- [Narrator] But in the end, his calling takes him
farther from Grantchester than he'd ever imagined.
(bittersweet string music)
- One last game, Sidney?
(bittersweet music continuing)
(sighing with relief)
- One last game.
(bittersweet music continuing)
(music crescendoing)
- [Narrator] If there's one person on "Grantchester"
who keeps everyone else in line, it's the indomitable Mrs. C.
We first met her as Mrs. McGuire.
- What the dickens was that thing on his face?
- [Narrator] An upright, uptight woman who had
strict ideas of acceptable behavior.
- Cover yourself up!
It's not a bordello!
- [Tessa] She doesn't miss a trick.
She keeps him in his place,
a bit like a, a sort of--
it's a bit like a dog with her puppies.
(door closing)
- [Mrs. Chapman] You know what you've never been any good at?
- Please, tell me.
- Differentiating between tasks that
are urgent and those which are not.
Mr. Finch had nothing prepared for
his sermon-- ended up waffling on.
- It wasn't waffle.
- It was utter waffle.
- Oh.
- She's been waiting ever so patiently for you.
(footsteps)
- It's been hell.
- [Mrs. Chapman] Mr. Finch! - Yes!
- [Tessa] She's tough, but she's kind, really, deep down.
- This isn't my room anymore.
But that doesn't mean I won't always love you.
- I love you too.
I've missed you so much.
- [Tessa] She is very accepting, once she gets to know you.
It's more about the personality.
- What's this?
- Something to keep your strength up.
- [Rishi] I mean, Alphy hasn't got a clue why she's there.
She kind of just... (chuckling)
She kind of just turns up.
- [Tessa] For everybody in Grantchester,
the war is still very present.
Her husband Ronnie went to war and hasn't come back.
She hasn't had a telegram saying
he's missing or that he's dead.
- [Mrs. Chapman] I don't dance.
(intriguing orchestral music)
Not since my- - [All] (in unison) Ronnie left.
- [Narrator] But she finally finds love again
and becomes "Mrs. C."
- To Mrs. C and Jack!
- [All] (in unison) Mrs. C and Jack!
- [Sidney] And... to love.
- [All] (in unison) To love! (glasses clinking)
- [Narrator] Her faith was a guiding principle.
- God wants us to be good Christians.
Where on earth in the Bible
does it say he wants us to be happy?
- [Narrator] She held herself and those around her
to a high standard.
- Leathers! Inside a church!
- [Narrator] But her faith is challenged.
- [Tessa] It's a struggle physically.
It's a struggle emotionally.
And it's a struggle with her faith, because she of all people
has always been, very, very, strong on religion.
- [Mrs. Chapman] Death is around every corner,
just waiting, like a punishment from God.
- Oh, good Lord!
- [Narrator] And it is her friends who help her
find her way back.
- [Mrs. Chapman] I was so blinkered thinking about myself,
I lost sight of Him.
When I asked Him to save you, He listened.
Of course He did.
- [Leonard] I'm sure there were easier ways for
you to help her rediscover her faith.
- All part of the service.
- [Narrator] Each vicar learned to appreciate
(door opening) the force that was Mrs. C.
- Come in!
Pull up a chair.
- You're a godsend, Mrs. C.
- I don't think your predecessors
would describe me as a housekeeper.
- No?
- No.
(birds chirping)
- Forgive me, but how might they...
- A friend.
Listening ear.
Someone who cherishes you and you cherish in return.
Mainly someone with a hot meal at the end of a rotten day.
- [Narrator] Whatever comes her way, you can be sure
she'll always be at the vicarage,
helping the vicar of Grantchester do God's work.
(smacking)
(playful orchestral music) (whooshing sound)
(train whistling)
- [Narrator] In our favorite episode of Season One,
Sidney brings Geordie to London
to give him a taste of his favorite jazz club.
- I like it because it's full of intensity
and feeling, and... jazz is a metaphor for life.
(sounds of busy street)
- A lot of chaos, and you're glad when it stops?
(footsteps) (clapping)
- [Narrator] But when the music stops,
they get more than they bargained for,
in the form of a brutal murder of the club owner's daughter.
(suspenseful string music)
(jazzy background music)
- [Narrator] Through the investigation,
Sidney's love life becomes even more complicated.
(jazzy music continuing)
- She broke your heart, didn't she?
(background chatter)
- [Narrator] But it's Sidney's empathy that helps solve
the crime and prevent yet another killing.
- [Geordie] Right.
- [Sidney] Justin-- Justin, this is not you.
I know this is not you.
(suspenseful string music)
This isn't you.
(Justin sobbing)
(metal clanging on floor)
(sobs continuing)
- [Narrator] The finale of Season Two is
a dark, but compelling episode that
explores Sidney's drinking issues.
But even worse, Sidney's friend and fellow vicar, Sam Milburn,
returns to ask for forgiveness for his crimes against children.
- I could face everyone else if I
knew that you'd forgiven me first.
- [Narrator] When Sam turns up missing
after the discovery of a grisly crime scene,
he's presumed murdered, and Geordie is torn between his
understanding of grieving parents,
and the duties of his job.
- I hate this job sometimes.
- Still, justice must be done.
- [Geordie] You think I wanted this?
(car door closing) (engine starting)
They've suffered enough.
- I just meant... you have to do your duty,
however much it costs you.
- [Narrator] Leonard confronts the bishop for protecting Sam,
and reports him to the church and the police.
But meanwhile, he faces loss himself,
when he finds Daniel with another man.
(birds chirping)
- Who is he, Daniel?
(birds chirping) (Leonard breathing heavily)
- [Daniel] Just a minute.
- [Narrator] But do not despair!
Hope is restored when Sidney is approached
by Amanda, who tells him she's left her husband.
(romantic string music) (Amanda sobbing)
- I have nothing.
(sobs continuing)
- You have me.
(romantic music continuing)
You've always had me.
(romantic music continuing)
(music crescendoing)
- [Narrator] In our favorite episode from
Season Three, Sidney goes on the road.
But is it really to recover Mrs. M's money from her
wayward husband, Ronnie, or just to run away
from his commitment to Amanda?
Leonard attempts to cover Sidney's tracks.
- [Amanda] You know, hard as I try, Leonard,
I just can't quite picture that.
- Oh yes, Sidney is never happier
than with a, an ice cream
in one hand, and... the reins of a donkey in another.
(footsteps)
- [Narrator] But Sidney discovers Ronnie has
another family altogether.
And when he turns up dead, with the stolen money missing,
Leonard has to tell Mrs. M the truth of the matter.
- Sidney tells us that they have... two children together.
(plaintive piano music)
- [Jack] Bloody hell!
(plaintive music continuing)
Unbelievable!
- Is it?
I wouldn't say so, it--
One could say it was entirely in character.
(plaintive music continuing)
- [Narrator] Mrs. M travels to confront the situation
with her usual charm. (dog barking)
(dog whining)
(background chatter)
And she gives Sidney some wise, tough love advice before
graciously donating to the medical care
of Ronnie's other wife.
- You're a good woman, Sylvia.
You didn't deserve to be treated like that.
(background chatter) (intriguing orchestral theme)
- [Narrator] When we return, we'll explore our favorite
moments with Will Davenport and Leonard Finch.
And we'll present evidence as to why Geordie plus a vicar
equals our favorite odd couple, when we return with
"Our Favorite Things About Grantchester."
(intriguing orchestral theme)
(theme fading)
- There's no shortage of murder, mystery,
and mayhem in the seemingly quiet
Cambridgeshire village of "Grantchester,"
and Police Detective Geordie Keating
and the resident vicar are always on the case.
- For 10 seasons,
we've loved everything about "Grantchester,"
but as we arrive at the 11th and final season,
we're taking a look back at our favorite things
about "Grantchester."
- Hi, I'm Lee Newton, along with Alice Ferris.
We are thrilled to go behind the scenes
with the cast and creators of "Grantchester"
to celebrate all the things we love most
about this PBS viewer favorite.
- As we celebrate "Grantchester,"
we're encouraging you
to make your investment in the Masterpiece Mysteries
that you love on PBS.
It's your support that makes all the programs possible.
- And now that PBS no longer receives federal funding,
well, your contribution is more important than ever.
Please visit us online,
or use the number on your screen to make your contribution.
- And when you give right now,
we have some very special ways to thank you.
Here's more.
- [Narrator] Featuring a delightful and appealing sleuth,
charming locations, artful writing, and engaging mysteries,
"Grantchester" on Masterpiece Mystery is a PBS Wisconsin
viewer favorite. And thanks to your investment in PBS Wisconsin
we're celebrating our favorite things about "Grantchester."
Become a $10 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the 10th anniversary season
of "Grantchester" on two DVDs.
Set in 1962, season 10 sees DI Geordie Keating
and Reverend Alphy Kottaram deepening their partnership
amidst a changing world.
Murder takes center stage, of course,
and Geordie taps into Alphy's intuition
to probe homicides on church grounds.
There are deeply moving, gratifying storylines
for each character,
exploring themes of parents and children,
identity, and living one's values.
Become a $20 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with our exclusive
Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
that features the whimsical illustrations
of eccentric master of macabre nonsense, Edward Gorey.
This eye-catching umbrella
celebrates the mysteries you love
with wickedly funny and deliciously sinister images
from the series.
Plus, we'll also include the exclusive
Masterpiece logo ceramic mug.
For more than 50 years,
Masterpiece has been delighting audiences
with heartwarming and captivating programs,
including cozy mysteries, police procedurals,
costume dramas, and period pieces.
Celebrate them all with this exclusive umbrella and mug.
Or become a $25 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the season 10 two-DVD set,
the exclusive Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella,
and the exclusive Masterpiece ceramic mug.
Please visit us online
or call 1-800-236-3636
to make your gift to support PBS Wisconsin now.
Thank you!
- The New York Times described "Grantchester"
as following a recipe that we love,
a picturesque setting, a literary source,
those James Runcie mysteries,
a brilliant amateur detective,
and a plotting policeman,
and murders, lots of murders. (chuckles)
It's all in good fun.
"Grantchester," after all, is a series
that's supposed to be easy to watch.
In Britain, they call it a cozy mystery,
and The Times says
it's a perfect distillation of the form.
I love mysteries like "Grantchester."
They make me think, but they rarely shock me.
They're beautiful to watch,
they have a cast I like.
And however cozy they are,
they're brilliantly written and acted.
It's your investment in these programs
that makes them possible,
so please visit us online
or reach out to the number on your screen
with your contribution right now.
- For over 50 years,
Masterpiece has entertained us with memorable dramas
and mysteries that stand the test of time.
And when you look at more recent stories
like "Grantchester," "The Marlow Murder Club,"
"Magpie Murders," and "Miss Scarlet,"
you can see that some of the best stories
of the past 50 plus years have been presented
as part of the past few seasons.
We're in a golden age for Masterpiece mysteries,
but like so many of the productions we love,
we're also in a precarious situation.
Public media no longer receives federal funding,
so your investment in this PBS station
is more important than ever before.
Before we cue the scary thunder and ominous music,
you can do something about it,
and that's to make your contribution.
Just visit us online
or call the number on your screen
to make your contribution today.
- It's always fun to look back
at favorite television programs.
The first 10 seasons of "Grantchester"
have given us so much to enjoy,
and now that we've arrived at the 11th and final season,
it's the perfect time to look
at what we've enjoyed most about the series.
While we have lots of familiar friends in the cast
from one season to the next,
there are always some surprises
with wonderful guest stars, cast changes,
and new ways for someone to unsuccessfully get away
with murder in the village of Grantchester.
And while it appears some peace will finally come
to the villagers of Grantchester, don't worry.
There's always another picturesque British village,
where crime won't pay.
Your contribution right now ensures
that we'll have plenty of mysteries ahead.
It's your investment in this PBS station right now
that makes the future a bright one.
Please visit us online
or use the number on your screen
to make your contribution right now.
- [Narrator] Become a $10 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the 10th anniversary season
of "Grantchester" on two DVDs.
Set in 1962, season 10 sees DI Geordie Keating
and Reverend Alphy Kottaram deepening their partnership
amidst a changing world.
There are deeply moving, gratifying storylines
for each character,
exploring themes of parents and children,
identity, and living one's values.
Become a $20 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with our exclusive
Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
that features the whimsical illustrations
of eccentric master of macabre nonsense, Edward Gorey.
Plus, we'll also include the exclusive
Masterpiece logo ceramic mug.
For more than 50 years,
Masterpiece has been delighting audiences
with heartwarming and captivating programs,
including cozy mysteries, police procedurals,
costume dramas, and period pieces.
Celebrate them all with this exclusive umbrella and mug.
Or become a $25 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the season 10 two-DVD set,
the exclusive Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
and the exclusive Masterpiece ceramic mug.
Please visit us online
or call 1-800-236-3636
to make your gift to support PBS Wisconsin now.
Thank you!
- [Announcer] Let me tell you about PBS Passport,
a member benefit that is-
- Absolutely amazing.
- [Announcer] Agreed!
Make a qualifying donation to this PBS station,
and you can enjoy all that PBS Passport has to offer
with the PBS app or online.
What you'll get?
A new you.
Picture it.
You could be a theater buff and an epicurious wonder,
a science dynamo, a history savant,
or just a well-rounded, interesting delight.
What journey will you take?
Go online or reach out to the number on the screen
to give now and take advantage of PBS Passport today.
- New seasons, new adventures, new faces,
and some beloved familiar ones, too.
Masterpiece has it all.
The dramas and mysteries that you love
have ranged from gritty to cozy and everything in between.
These fresh, beguiling twists on the traditional drama
might be something you take for granted
after all these decades,
but we can't take any detail for granted.
And the one detail that matters most
is that your support makes these programs possible,
so do your part right now.
Visit us online
or reach out to the number on your screen
with your contribution today.
- From stolen kisses to shocking murders,
daring escapes to tender confessions,
"Grantchester" has delivered some
of Masterpiece's most talked about dramatic moments.
It's been an incredible 10 seasons,
all made possible by your investment in this PBS station.
But as we arrive at the 11th
and final season of "Grantchester,"
it's vital that we hear from you with your support.
Please visit us online
or use the number below
to make your vital contribution.
- Set against the backdrop of one
of Britain's most breathtaking locations,
we're celebrating our favorite things about "Grantchester,"
where vicars investigate crimes, friendships are tested,
and the English countryside hides secrets
behind every gate and gravestone.
Please visit us online
or use the number on your screen to make your contribution.
- It's time to celebrate more
of our favorite things about "Grantchester,"
but you can still make your contribution
by visiting us online
or reaching out to the number on your screen.
And thank you.
(contemplative piano and string music)
- [Narrator] Welcome back to
"Our Favorite Things About Grantchester."
Coming up, we'll revisit some of our favorite odd couple
moments with Geordie and the vicars.
And we'll take a look at one of the
series' most beloved characters, Leonard Finch.
But first...
(whooshing sound) It's hard to choose our
favorite thing about Vicar Will Davenport.
Is it the easy charm?
His keen empathy?
Is it the motorcycle?
The good news is that we don't have to choose.
(motorcycle humming)
- [Richard] It was very difficult to find a new vicar.
It was a big search.
And... we started by drawing up lists
of lots of different actors
we were interested in,
lots of different actors
we'd never heard of before.
We really opened the doors
to see who was out there.
And, um, from very early on in the process,
Tom Brittney stood out as having the right kind of...
ahhh... the right kind of magic ingredient to be, uh,
the leading man in the series, to have the, the kinda calmness
and quietness of a, of a vicar, but also the charisma and smile,
and square-jawed leading man-ness.
- I'd love to pick your brains about
following in your footsteps.
- Absolutely.
- You need to speak to her, Will.
- Absolutely.
- I need 12 cakes, Will.
- Absolutely.
- [Emma] And obviously as a vicar,
Will is very embedded in the community,
but through the series,
he begins to understand that
perhaps he... isn't always as
community-focused as he thought he was.
And he's deciding where he wants
to go in terms of his future.
(tense string music)
- What am I doing?
(tense music continuing)
(inhaling deeply)
Tell me what to do.
(music intensifying)
(voice echoing) Tell me what to do.
- [Tom] He's... a little restless
in the sense that he's...
looking to change the formula he's been used to.
- I've known a lot of vicars.
- I'm not like the others.
- Darling, that's what they all say.
(footsteps)
- [Narrator] One thing we really love about Will
is his helpfulness.
- What the dickens!
- Your work is done.
Uh, the beds are made, the place is vacuumed.
(phone ringing)
I'll get that, and, uh, you'll find sandwiches in the kitchen
for you for lunch and for supper so
you can put your feet up and rest.
(cheeky piano music)
- [Narrator] And while Will has had more than his share
of romantic interests, maybe our favorite thing about him is
that he's settled down with someone as wonderful
as Bonnie.
(gentle wedding music) (soft footsteps)
- Fancy seeing you here.
- I know, I just can't get away.
(Bonnie chuckling)
(congregants sitting down)
- [Bishop] Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together
in the sight of God, and in the face of this
congregation to join this man and this woman.
- I've heard this before.
(ethereal orchestral music)
- So have I.
(ethereal music continuing)
- I do.
(ethereal music continuing)
- So do I.
(music soaring and concluding)
- [Robson] "Tom Brittney, Director?"
(spritely string music)
- Now I'm confused.
- Tom Brittney's directing?
Oh, God... well, nobody told me.
It's a bloody outrage.
- Whether I'm an actor, or now being on the other side of it,
is... you always want the set to be fun-- professionally fun.
We sometimes push that boundary a little bit, me and Robson
and, uh, and the rest of us, (chuckling)
but we have fun, and it was really important for me...
to be on the other side of it, and- because I think you're the
most creative when you're, when you're enjoying it.
(bright string music)
- [Tessa] He's fantastic, and all of us,
I think I can say, loved working with him.
(laughing)
- [Mrs. Chapman] You wicked, wicked boy!
- Mrs. C, that's enough!
- [Tessa] What was really nice was working with him
on set as the actor
and then at the same time, him nipping, then,
behind the camera to have a look and then coming back again.
It was really exciting,
and he's very, very good at it.
- [Tom] Cut.
(murmuring and clapping)
- [Robson] Tom Brittney-- you make it fun, Tom!
(laughing and clapping)
- [Tom] Working on "Grantchester" is...
the best job I've ever worked on,
the best thing I've ever done in my life.
(soaring string music) (whooshing sound)
- [Narrator] One of our favorite parts of
"Grantchester" is the romance, or rather the bromance.
- We're using the "B" word at the moment
between me and James,
it's very much a bromance.
- [Narrator] Whether it's Geordie and Sidney,
Geordie and Will, or Geordie and Alphy,
it's always fun to watch our duo solve mysteries,
protect one another, or simply raise a pint together.
- Geordie.
Do you think we have a problem with alcohol?
- Absolutely-- we don't have any.
- [Narrator] Admittedly, Geordie wasn't always sold on the
idea of having a vicar help with his work.
- I could have you arrested.
(phones ringing) (footsteps)
- Really? What for?
- Wasting police time.
- [Narrator] But once he realized that people will
confide in a vicar, well, the rest is history.
- See, I understand how it works, the whole vicar...
- Chaplain.
- Dog collar hoopla.
People feel they can tell you things.
- Of course. - Secrets.
- Absolutely. - Confessions.
- The most intimate things you wouldn't believe.
- That is where you and I differ.
- No one tells you anything?
- Not a bastard thing.
- That's a shame. - It really is.
- [Narrator] Our first pairing was Geordie and Sidney.
They develop a mutual respect, born from their adventures
together and their haunting war experiences.
- Some days I find it harder surviving than others.
(birds chirping)
And truth be told, I- I've been a bit lost without you.
(birds chirping) (tender piano music)
- I'm here now.
(tender music fading)
- [Narrator] Geordie enjoys living vicariously
through Sidney's dating life
and always has time for a playful jape at his friend.
- Sly old dog.
- [Narrator] Next we have the team of Geordie and Will.
As their relationship matures, it takes on a father-son dynamic
with a deep affection between them.
- She needs you.
(nervous piano and string music) (Will breathing heavily)
And Ernie needs you.
(nervous music and heavy breathing continuing)
(voice breaking) And so do I.
- They, they, they swap their positions
and, and just help each other with that
sort of paternal relationship that they have, and...
and they both guide each other through
the tough life that they both lead in, in a way.
And... I think they have a big respect and, and
love for each other at the end of the series.
(birds chirping)
- The only thing better than having Will as my friend...
Is having him as part of my family.
- Ohh.
- And looking at the two of you together, I hope you can make
each other as happy as Cathy makes me.
- [Narrator] Finally, it's Geordie and Alphy.
Theirs is a friendship of equals.
- Anything else that's piqued your curiosity, vicar?
- Not really.
(shifting in chair) (phones ringing)
Well, unless you count Rachel planting a big ol' kiss on me.
(cheeky piano and string music)
- [Narrator] Alphy may have hesitated to be
drawn into Geordie's world,
but eventually he finds that his
curiosity can be channeled for good.
- Then here's me thinking you
weren't interested in all of this.
- I'm no detective.
- I don't need a detective.
A vicar will do.
- [Narrator] Alphy's optimism is a nice balance
to Geordie's cynical nature.
(hand slamming)
- I'm fine as I am.
I've got...
- Dickens!
- Mrs. C.
(footsteps)
And you.
(footsteps) (background chatter)
I'm a glass...
- Half full.
...kinda guy.
(cheeky piano and string music)
- Exactly!
- [Narrator] They may hesitate to use the term,
but there's no doubt that the bromancers at the center of
"Grantchester" keep the audience coming back for more.
One of our favorite characters (whooshing sound)
on "Grantchester" is Leonard Finch.
His journey from self-doubt to bravery riveted audiences.
Looking back, we remember how
Leonard started out as Sidney's curate.
- Polite, and he hoovers.
If only all men were like him.
- (whispering) Well, if they were,
there wouldn't be much chance for the human race.
- What do you mean by that?
(distant vaccuuming)
- Oh, um, nothing.
- [Narrator] Searching for a solitary lifestyle
that would help him hide from himself...
- [Sidney] Funny how a man can be murdered,
and all anyone's worried about is his private life.
- The church has made its position on the subject clear.
It's something from which deliverance should be sought.
- [Al] Leonard being gay, in, in the fifties
is obviously, it's very, very
difficult because there are severe
punishments if you're caught doing anything.
- [Narrator] Leonard tries to live the life
the church expects of him.
- Hilary, I do think about you.
(sedate piano and string music)
Often, as it happens.
- I'm so glad.
- [Al] He kind of gets sort of pushed
in a way, by the new archdeacon
that maybe he should find a wife and start a family and that'd
be good for him because he could get his own parish.
(sedate music fading)
- Perhaps if you put your arm around her.
- Like this?
- Um, around my waist, perhaps.
(clock softly ticking)
(footsteps) (hands gently touching)
(portentuous string music)
(footsteps)
- Now look at each other.
(portentuous music continuing)
That's it. Don't move.
(portentuous music shifting to tense piano music)
- [Narrator] But discovery opens a path
of self-acceptance for Leonard.
- God loves us all.
(tense music continuing)
- Does he love you, Mr. Finch?
- I hope so.
- [Al] He has to decide whether to, to lie
or stand up to his true self.
And it sets in motion journeys for all the other characters,
in terms of their beliefs-- about how
what's morally right, what's legally right.
- [Cathy] Of all the things the police
could be doing, it's barely a crime.
- Except it is, Cathy.
- [Robson] The way Geordie looks at th-
the Leonard case is through
the eyes of someone who is Leonard's friend.
And therefore, in Geordie's eyes
why would Geordie want to put him away?
- [Narrator] As he slowly made peace with himself
and found he had support, he blossomed.
And his relationships blossomed along with him.
- To fresh starts and courage.
- Life is given only once, and one wants to live it boldly.
(cups clinking)
- You do have a way with words.
- [Narrator] Now he is one of the most beloved
characters on the show. (clapping)
And a true fan favorite.
(whooshing sound) (intriguing orchestral theme)
Our favorite episode from Season Four opens
with Will inheriting his father's estate.
But it leads to more trouble than it's worth.
- [Amelia] Well, I don't like it either, darling, but you have
responsibilities now, you're the man of the house.
- I have responsibilities in Grantchester too.
- I'm sure the Parish will survive without you.
- I'm their priest. They need me.
- [Narrator] A local schoolboy turns up dead
with a picture of Geordie's
daughter in his pocket, leading him to go
overboard in his efforts to solve the case.
- I understand that you're upset about Esme,
but to be prejudiced against these-
- Are you questioning my integrity?
- [Will] Of course not, Geordie, I am just saying-
- [Geordie] Maybe you should get your own house in order,
Will, before you start preaching to other people.
(foreboding orchestral music)
- [Narrator] Cathy and Mrs. C conspire to get her
harassing boss fired from his job.
- This is your fault and no one else's, Mr. Hobbs.
(background chatter)
(hurried footsteps)
- [Mrs. Chapman] I rather enjoyed that!
(emphatically embracing) Oh, don't be daft now!
(Cathy sighing) (women embracing)
- [Narrator] And a crisis of faith for Leonard leads to
understanding from Will and tolerance from Mrs. C.
(emotional orchestral music)
- We don't work without you, Mrs. C.
(birds chirping) (clock softly ticking)
- We really don't.
(chirping and ticking clock continuing)
(arm extending)
(clock softly ticking)
(tender piano and string music)
- [Narrator] In Season Five, our favorite episode
revolves around a murder at the local movie theatre,
while Will and local journalist Ellie are enjoying the show.
- [Betsey] (hyperventilating) Help me!
Wyatt's not breathing!
(frantic orchestral music)
- [Ellie] I'll call for an ambulance.
(frantic music continuing)
- I'm afraid it's too late for that.
(Betsey gasping) (frantic music continuing)
- [Narrator] Meanwhile, Will attempts to understand
young Matthew, who has
been finding himself in more and more trouble as of late.
- I don't understand-- why are you doing this?
You like it here. (handcuffs clicking)
Why are you throwing it all away?
- [Vic] Look... If anyone's to blame, it's me.
- Really?
- [Narrator] Meanwhile, Mrs. C's evening gets a rude interruption
- Whatever did I do to deserve you?
(glass breaking) (Mrs. C screaming)
- [Jack] What in heaven's name?
- [Narrator] After a brick is thrown through her home window,
Mrs. C takes the culprit to lunch to try and
understand his motivations.
- I'm sorry for the window...
but your husband refused to talk to me.
- He knew you were here?
(somber orchestral music)
- Guilty conscience.
- I'm so sorry, Mr. Hassan.
- [Narrator] When she finds out that Mr. C's wartime activities
were not all on the up and up, she has it out.
- You lied to her!
You lied to me!
(dramatic piano and string music)
(door opening) (footsteps)
- [Singer] If I ever...
- [Narrator] Finally, Will finds some time for a quiet
evening with Ellie, one that ends in romance.
(footsteps) (Ellie sighing)
- Is this off the record?
- If you want it to be.
(passionate piano and string music)
- [Narrator] Season Six begins our favorite episode
with the church informing
Leonard that he has lost his job
due to being charged with indecency.
(sorrowful string music)
- I can no longer serve as a curate.
- [Will] How is this fair?
- Will...
- [Will] No, how is any of this fair?
- Thank you for... taking the time to tell me in person.
I really do appreciate that.
(sorrowful music continuing)
- [Narrator] At his court hearing, Leonard is treated
very badly, much to the dismay of his supporters.
Before his sentencing, Leonard gets some support from Mrs. C.
- [Leonard] I've never been happier
than I have here with you.
- Even when I've been dreadful?
- Even when you've been cross and surly,
and you've shouted at me
for not cleaning up after myself.
(poignant string music)
What the dickens?
(poignant music continuing)
- What the dickens?
(poignant music continuing)
(sniffling)
(glasses clinking)
- [Narrator] Meanwhile, a botched bank robbery leads
to the death of an innocent bystander.
But as the investigation turns up answers,
they only seem to lead to more questions.
Is the bank guard in on the crime?
Why was the stolen money stashed in the library?
And why is Geordie's friend,
the barrister, representing all of the suspects?
(haunting string music)
As the episode concludes, everyone is shocked when Leonard
receives a lengthy prison sentence.
(haunting music continuing)
(music intensifying)
(music fading)
- [Narrator] As our favorite Season Seven episode begins,
things aren't looking great between Will and Bonnie.
- We're thinking of heading back home.
(birds chirping) (clock softly ticking)
- Makes sense, now Geordie's back.
(dog distantly barking)
- Exactly.
(wistful orchestral music)
- [Narrator] Mrs. C. is having a crisis of faith
before heading into surgery.
And despite the success of the cafe,
Leonard feels he should be doing more to help others.
But it's the increasing number of murdered bodies being
discovered that has Geordie most concerned.
- [Geordie] The blankets, the doorway...
Even got the same bloody marks on his neck.
- [Larry] You mean, this is connected to
those other vagrant murders?
I thought you put that mad student
in the loony bin for that.
(unsettling piano and string music)
- [Narrator] Religion student Jim turns out to be the killer,
and he tries to make Will his next victim.
(unsettling music continuing)
(Will breathing heavily)
- Hey, call an ambulance. (body crashing)
(tray clattering)
- [Narrator] Geordie saves Will in the nick of time,
giving him the opportunity
to express his love for Bonnie and finish the season
with a beautiful wedding.
- [Will] But now I look around me,
and all I can see are beautiful examples... of love...
(birds chirping)
(softly patting)
of fathers...
(birds chirping)
and of people who can only be themselves.
(birds chirping)
So I want to thank you all for showing me the way.
I want to thank you, Bonnie-- and Ernie--
for giving me the chance to try.
(softly tousling hair)
To Bonnie and Ernie.
- [All] Bonnie and Ernie!
(Will sitting)
- To us.
(romantic orchestral music)
(guests applauding)
- [Narrator] When we return, we'll take a look
at our favorite scenes
from the latest vicar in Grantchester,
Alphy Kottaram.
We'll inspire you with some of our favorite moments
from the pulpit.
And we'll demonstrate why Dickens the dog is
"best in show,"
when we return with "Our Favorite Things
About Grantchester."
(romantic music fading)
- Across 66 episodes over 10 seasons,
"Grantchester" has attracted millions of fans,
not bad for a sleepy British village of 532 residents
where three vicars and one detective inspector
have brought us on a journey about faith, justice,
and the power of friendship.
- And way too many murders. (laughing)
For 10 seasons, we've loved everything about "Grantchester,"
but as we arrive at the 11th and final season,
we're taking a look back
at our favorite things about "Grantchester."
- Hi, I am Lee Newton, along with Alice Ferris.
We are thrilled to go behind the scenes with the cast
and creators of "Grantchester"
to celebrate all the things we love most
about this PBS viewer favorite.
- As we celebrate "Grantchester,"
we're encouraging you
to make your investment in the Masterpiece Mysteries
that you love on PBS.
It's your support that makes all the programs possible.
- And now, that PBS no longer receives federal funding,
your contribution is more important than ever.
Please visit us online or use the number on your screen
to make your contribution.
- And when you give right now,
we have some very special ways to say thank you.
Here's more.
- [Narrator] Featuring a delightful and appealing sleuth,
charming locations, artful writing, and engaging mysteries,
"Grantchester" on Masterpiece Mystery is a PBS Wisconsin
viewer favorite. And thanks to your investment in PBS Wisconsin
we're celebrating our favorite things about "Grantchester."
Become a $10 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the 10th anniversary season
of "Grantchester" on two DVDs.
Set in 1962, season 10 sees DI Geordie Keating
and Reverend Alphy Kottaram deepening their partnership
amidst a changing world.
Murder takes center stage, of course,
and Geordie taps into Alphy's intuition
to probe homicides on church grounds.
There are deeply moving, gratifying storylines
for each character,
exploring themes of parents and children,
identity, and living one's values.
Become a $20 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with our exclusive
Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
that features the whimsical illustrations
of eccentric master of macabre nonsense, Edward Gorey.
This eye-catching umbrella
celebrates the mysteries you love
with wickedly funny and deliciously sinister images
from the series.
Plus, we'll also include the exclusive
Masterpiece logo ceramic mug.
For more than 50 years,
Masterpiece has been delighting audiences
with heartwarming and captivating programs,
including cozy mysteries, police procedurals,
costume dramas, and period pieces.
Celebrate them all with this exclusive umbrella and mug.
Or become a $25 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the season 10 two-DVD set,
the exclusive Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella,
and the exclusive Masterpiece ceramic mug.
Please visit us online
or call 1-800-236-3636
to make your gift to support PBS Wisconsin now.
Thank you!
- Critic Natalie Whittle calls "Grantchester"
a crime drama you can't beat,
where the main characters not only solve crimes,
but also support each other through changing times,
family struggles, and personal secrets.
For over a decade,
"Grantchester" has held a cherished place
in TV's drama lineup.
Now, as this much beloved series reaches its final chapter,
we're looking back on the remarkable journey of the show
that brought a sleepy 1950s Cambridgeshire village to life.
And while "Grantchester" may be coming to an end
after its 11th season,
Masterpiece Mystery is continuing
to showcase a dynamic mix of new and returning series.
There are more mysteries waiting in the shadows,
but we can only bring them to life with your investment
in this PBS station.
Please visit us online or use the number on your screen
to contribute right now.
- I love how "Grantchester" inspires such a great response
from its fans.
A British newspaper collected some of the best
online posts from viewers
that included comments like a hot angsty vicar
who is all too human
is certainly an unexpected pleasure.
(chuckles) While another described the leading characters
as having interesting times dealing with skullduggery
in the town of Grantchester.
Well, where's not enough angsty skullduggery elsewhere
on television in my opinion, but thank goodness
it's featured every week on "Grantchester."
Your support makes the programs on PBS unique,
so please invest in the programming right now
by visiting us online
or reaching out to the number on your screen.
- For over 50 years, Masterpiece has been the flagship home
of the most intriguing mysteries
and most compelling dramas anywhere on television.
Masterpiece Mystery brings the greatest crime novels
ever written to the screen, while also creating new classics
for a new generation.
And while Masterpiece Mystery has presented
compelling series from across the mystery spectrum,
many of the most popular series like "Grantchester"
are cozy mysteries.
These programs feature a lighter tone
where the detective is typically an amateur sleuth,
and the crime and detection take place in a small,
intimate community series like "Grantchester,"
"The Marlow Murder Club," and "Magpie Murders"
stand in contrast to hardboiled crime fiction.
"Grantchester" has enjoyed 10 years on Masterpiece Mystery,
and as we reach its final with its 11th season,
we're comforted to know
that more cozy mysteries are in development,
but public media no longer receives federal funding,
so your contribution is more important than ever.
Please visit us online or call the number on your screen
to make your contribution.
- One review of "Grantchester" said,
"Returning to a comfort show is kind of like getting
a needed hug.
It may sound strange to say that about a crime drama,
but 'Grantchester' is one that falls into this category.
This show continues to be wonderful and charming.
It has so many cozy feelings and perspectives,
and I just love the whole look of the production.
Plus, the cast is so good,
they make everyone seem so interesting."
For 10 Seasons, "Grantchester" has offered us
a comforting trip back to the most beautiful
of English villages, where we meet old friends
for a cup of tea and a murder. (chuckling)
And now that "Grantchester" is coming to an end
with its 11th season, it's time to make an investment
in the next mystery.
Now that public media no longer receives federal funding,
your contribution is more important than ever.
So please visit us online or use the number on your screen
to contribute right now.
- [Narrator] Become a $10 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the 10th anniversary season
of "Grantchester" on two DVDs.
Set in 1962, season 10 sees DI Geordie Keating
and Reverend Alphy Kottaram deepening their partnership
amidst a changing world.
There are deeply moving, gratifying storylines
for each character,
exploring themes of parents and children,
identity, and living one's values.
Become a $20 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with our exclusive
Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
that features the whimsical illustrations
of eccentric master of macabre nonsense, Edward Gorey.
Plus, we'll also include the exclusive
Masterpiece logo ceramic mug.
For more than 50 years,
Masterpiece has been delighting audiences
with heartwarming and captivating programs,
including cozy mysteries, police procedurals,
costume dramas, and period pieces.
Celebrate them all with this exclusive umbrella and mug.
Or become a $25 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the season 10 two-DVD set,
the exclusive Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
and the exclusive Masterpiece ceramic mug.
Please visit us online
or call 1-800-236-3636
to make your gift to support PBS Wisconsin now.
Thank you!
- [Announcer] When you think of PBS,
what word comes to mind?
- Discovery. - Inspired.
- Creativity. - Wow.
- Cheese, cheese, cheese, and more cheese.
- [Announcer] No matter what word comes to mind,
when you give now, you can take advantage
of our most popular member benefit ever, PBS Passport.
- Fantastic.
- [Announcer] With PBS Passport, you'll have access
to an ever-growing library of your PBS favorites.
- Impressive.
- [Announcer] All available on your computer, phone,
tablet, or smart TV through the PBS app.
So whether PBS makes you think-
- Amazing. - Or-
- What?
- [Announcer] PBS passport is waiting for you.
- It's not surprising that PBS viewers
and supporters love cozy mysteries.
One of the characteristics of cozy mysteries
is that they're often set in picturesque,
close-knit communities where everyone knows each other.
So be a part of the PBS community right now.
Visit us online or reach out to the number on your screen
to make your contribution
and show your support for cozy mysteries.
- When you watch a series like "Grantchester,"
there are moments when it feels like you're actually
in another world and another time more than ever.
I enjoy having those moments,
and the dramas and mysteries of Masterpiece
provide us with that opportunity
to let everything go for a little while.
Whether it's the English countryside, Victorian London,
a seaside village, or a trip around the world,
Masterpiece is there to bring you on that journey.
But those chances to immerse yourself in great dramas
and mysteries can only happen with your financial support.
And your support is more important than ever before.
So please visit us online or call the number on your screen
to make your contribution.
- PBS has always been a grassroots organization
supported primarily by its viewers,
with each station owned in the community that it serves.
Viewer support is more important than ever before.
So please visit us online or call the number on your screen
to contribute right now.
- It's time to celebrate more
of our favorite things about "Grantchester,"
but you can still make your contribution
by visiting us online
or reaching out to the number on your screen.
Thank you.
- [Narrator] Welcome back to
"Our Favorite Things About Grantchester."
Coming up, we'll take a closer look at our favorite
four-legged cast member, Dickens.
We'll visit with some of our favorite
supporting characters in "Grantchester,"
and we'll take a sneak peek
at the upcoming final season of "Grantchester."
But first, others may have come before him,
but he's a vicar like none other.
He's Alphy Kottaram.
(car speeding past)
- [Mrs. Chapman] There is a gentleman
breaking into the vicarage!
A swarthy gentleman!
(body slamming and grunting)
(plates breaking)
- [Geordie] Gotcha-- ooh!
(punching) (Geordie groaning)
(Geordie gasping)
- [Geordie] Bloody hellfire!
- [Alphy] That's it, I'm calling the police.
- I am the police.
- [Rishi] My name is Rishi Nair, and I play
Alphy Kottaram.
- [Geordie] If this was your house,
that would make... you...
(mischievous piano and string music)
Oh, God.
- Not quite, but you know, on speaking terms.
- [Geordie] You're the new vicar.
(church bells clanging)
- [Daisy] It's always exciting bringing a new character
into the show, because it's,
it's seeing how they interact
with other actors, other characters.
- [Emma] He is a very different character.
He's not somebody like Will, who was
immediately interested in, in getting involved.
He's kind of wary, and he's a little bit wary of Geordie,
and it takes a little bit longer for their relationship
to cement.
- I need your help with the case.
- I'm not a great believer in the police.
- I'm not a great believer in God.
- Well then, there we are.
- [Robson] There's this moment where...
Geordie brings him into the police station
because he has a connection
to one of the murders.
And I said...
- [Geordie] You coming?
- To the morgue?
- Yes.
(Alphy chuckling) (intriguing orchestral music)
- What, why would I come to the morgue?
- [Melissa] And obviously, Alphy's like, "This is weird,
I am just here to be a vicar."
- No reason.
- [Alphy] So, can I go?
- [Robson] But we see him in the vicarage
thinking about this scenario
that's happened in Grantchester with this
guy that's potentially committed suicide.
And he starts to work it out himself,
and then realizes that he is...
he's being drawn to Geordie's world,
and he's being drawn to the "Grantchester" world.
- [Rishi] So, I think the relationship with...
Alphy and Geordie,
they really enjoy each other's company,
and I think they are two really good friends, and, you know,
working with Robson, they're my favorite days.
- [Robson] We're mates, we're good friends,
and we stay in touch, you know, off camera.
And again, that resonates in front
of the screen, and we talk as mates.
And I think the audience pick up on that.
- My partner in crime.
- Been a long day, hasn't it?
- [Rishi] Geordie has this nickname for Alphy.
- [Geordie] "The Good Reverend Love 'em and Leave 'em."
- [Rishi] Which implies that Alphy has been
kind of playing the field a little bit.
- He's worried that he's not
capable of love.
- [Robson] (quoting Alphy) "What is love, Geordie?"
- [Geordie] All the good stuff.
All the meaningful stuff.
That doesn't happen unless you stick around.
- Love 'em, but don't leave 'em.
- [Rishi] And there is someone in Series Ten
that comes into his life, that could potentially tie him down
and him... end up in a relationship with.
- [Meg] The meeting is next door.
- [Alphy] I'm not here for the meeting.
(suspensful orchestral music)
- Oh!
- [Christie] There is a natural spark there
between the two of them.
- [Meg] What are you here for?
- Uh, i- It's police business.
- [Christie] But th- they're both quite independent,
so I feel like neither of them
wants to admit that that spark is there.
- I couldn't have your phone number, could I?
- No.
(suspensful music continuing)
- Hm. Okay, that's, uh, that's fair enough.
- [Christie] So it's interesting watching their kind of
relationship progress over time and watch the walls
come down between the two of them.
(suspensful music continuing)
- [Alphy] Have you read it?
- [Meg] Been meaning to...
A wholesome story of a
promising young lady that's actually quite racy.
- [Alphy] Hm.
- It's made you think of me?
(birds chirping) (dog distantly barking)
- No-- no, no, not like that.
- Whyever not?
(laughing)
- [Rishi] What's amazing about Series Ten for Alphy
is we see him really go on a journey.
- [Reverend Potts] Oh, what a tonic it is to see you!
- [Rishi] A lot of secrets come out.
He has to face... his past
and having to face things that he hoped
he never would have to face again.
And we see his relationship with Geordie tested.
- What is this?
- [Rishi] So, yeah, a real roller coaster
for Alphy, but a fun one to film.
(intriguing orchestral theme)
- [Narrator] The undisputed superstar of
"Grantchester" can only be one cast member, Dickens.
- I'm forced to do for other people--
clean their unhygienic water closets--
but this, this is the worst indignity yet.
- [Sidney] We can't have a dog.
- We cannot have a dog.
- [Narrator] He had a less than enthusiastic welcome
to the vicarage,
but soon made his way into the hearts of all.
- What the...
- [Sidney] Dickens!
(Dickens barking happily)
- [Tessa] Well, it's been a joy working with
Dickens, the dog, who-- it was
eight weeks old when we started.
And he's wonderful.
He's completely still at all times.
He has got the sausage meat lurking to be rewarded
as soon as the take is over, but he's, he's fabulous.
(Dickens barking anxiously)
- [Narrator] He even helped solve an odd crime or two.
(Dickens whimpering)
(paper unfolding)
- [Narrator] And he gets all the same treatment
as our human stars.
- [Sandra] Dickens, who is our usual dog,
isn't the strongest of swimmers,
so we brought in Dickens' stunt double
to do the leaping in the shots.
So, he's got more muscle tone
and he's very used to swimming in the water
for longer amounts of time.
(wind blowing)
(splashing)
- [Sidney] Dickens!
- [Narrator] He is truly beloved by all.
- You are my kind of guy.
Suave, but never sultry.
Devoted, but never doting.
Soothing, but never sentimental.
And of course, such, such an exquisite listener.
(Dickens whining and panting)
- [Narrator] "Grantchester" is filled with fascinating
characters who populate (whooshing sound)
the world around our vicars and detectives.
The show wouldn't be complete without the likes of
Cathy Keating, Daniel Marlowe, Detective Larry and Miss Scott.
Geordie's wife is a force to be reckoned with.
- Equal pay, without delay.
- [All] (chanting in unison) Equal pay, without delay.
Equal pay, without ...
- [Kacey] Over the years, it's fantastic to
develop her as a character.
- [Narrator] Cathy doesn't take any guff from her husband...
- I'm not having this conversation again, Geordie.
- [Narrator] Her children...
Can't speak to me like this, Esme Keating.
- And you can't keep me under lock and key, Cathy Keating.
- [Narrator] Or the other men in her life....
- Bugger off, Clive.
- [Kacey] She's making decisions for herself.
She's really enjoying the independence.
She wants to be recognized in her own right as a person.
(bell dinging) (laughing)
(spritely orchestral music)
- [Narrator] Daniel Marlowe is a local photographer,
but so much more.
His early friendship with Leonard
evolves into a supportive relationship.
- [Oliver] Daniel's sitting in the audience
along with many of the other
regular characters and enjoying the fact
that he's able to have this liberation,
but at the same time being
semi-amused and semi-appalled, and,
and semi-pleased for him as well.
(audience clapping) - [Mrs. Chapman] Is that what
he's been working on all this time?
- [Narrator] Daniel has his own struggles,
but he finds solace in his chosen family.
- What if I'm not welcome?
- They're your friends, Daniel.
(plaintive piano and string music)
- Sorry. I'm sorry.
(plaintive music continuing) (footsteps)
- There you are!
Come in.
- Daniel, just the man!
We need you for the gravy.
- [Jack] You do make the best gravy.
- Hurry up, it's getting cold.
(plaintive music continuing)
- Daniel?
(plaintive music brightening) (birds chirping)
(footsteps)
- [Narrator] Finally, down at the police station,
the tension between Larry
and Miss Scott is a constant source of entertainment.
- Boss.
(cheeky orchestral music) (phones ringing)
That is a lovely dress. - Stop there!
- [Robson] Bradley plays Larry, and Melissa plays Miss Scott.
They're just great.
They're a great device for the series.
And there is this element of
"Will they or won't they?"
- It's work, Larry, it's not a date.
- I just thought it would be nice.
- [Bradley] That relationship with Miss Scott,
which is really joyous and enjoyable--
- You stay where I can see you.
- [Bradley] and full of levity and love and pathos.
- [Larry] I thought we were being quite discreet.
- [Geordie] Quite discreet?
- [Bradley] It is the worst kept secret in the station.
- [Alphy] Everyone knows.
Even the criminals.
- [Melissa] You're the romantic one in the
relationship, aren't you?
- Yeah, I think-- - Miss Scott is not leaving
- notes for you. - No...
- [Geordie] Thank you, Miss Scott.
- [Bradley] And he's trying to be really romantic
in this moment.
(door opening) - [Larry] Boss, wait!
- [Miss Scott] Larry?
- [Bradley] There's so much fun to be had in that.
And when we, when we filmed it, it was so fun to play.
- Well, what's this?
- That's not supposed to be in there.
(paper unfolding)
- [Melissa] But you cannot leave - [Bradley] You can't leave-
- [Melissa] ...love notes in, like, evidence boxes.
You-- that's too far.
- It's a line crossed.
- You've crossed the line. (Bradley laughing)
- Christ on a bike, Larry.
- [Narrator] Listening to our friendly vicars
preach from the pulpit
is one of our favorite aspects of "Grantchester."
Let's take a look at a few of our favorite sermons.
- "Two are better than one.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow."
And I hope in the days to come that we can lift up each other.
I'm here.
I'm your friend.
Particularly if there's cake involved.
(congregation laughing)
(serene orchestral music)
- [Narrator] Sidney never failed to be heartfelt
when speaking to his congregation.
- [Sidney] (voice echoing) We cannot erase our pasts.
However hard we try.
(mournful piano and string music)
Instead, we must carry them with us into the future.
(mournful music continuing)
We must carry them with us and look forward with hope.
We must look forward because to look back
is to waste precious time.
(mournful music continuing)
Someone recently said to me,
"We should live as we have never lived."
And we must, all of us, take heed
and live as we have never lived.
(mournful music continuing)
For we are all mortal.
(mournful music brightening)
- [Narrator] Alphy's sermons were always warmly received--
but by some, more than others.
- When the disciples went to the
tomb early that Easter Sunday morning,
they expected to mourn for their friend, but he was gone.
And the angels told them, "Jesus is risen."
He loved us so much that he lived and died for us.
Is there any greater love than that?
I am so blessed to be able to share that love with you.
- [Cathy] Shh! - [Alphy] In our beautiful
church.
- Didn't say anything?
- But you was going to.
(Alphy clearing throat) - [Cathy] Shh!
- [Narrator] And even Leonard was no stranger
to a sermon now and then.
- We all make mistakes.
We here know that better than anyone. (chuckling)
Others may forgive us our foibles.
Forgiving ourselves is ever so much harder.
- [Narrator] But no matter who delivered them,
the sermons were always thoughtful
and written with heart.
- We must learn not to assume, but to listen.
(contemplative orchestral music)
Please.
Please know my door is always open.
(contemplative music continuing)
(whooshing sound) (music fading)
(motorcyle rumbling) (Will breathing heavily)
(shouting) (motorcycle crashing)
- [Narrator] Our favorite episode of Season Eight
begins in the aftermath of
Will's tragic motorcycle accident.
One that killed a pedestrian.
(door opening)
- [Will] Ambulance, I need an ambulance!
(rotary dial spinning)
Uh, uh, the road to, to Barton.
(breathing heavily) Please hurry!
(anxious orchestral music)
- [Narrator] The evidence indicates that Will
was driving recklessly at the time.
Geordie's not convinced, but his boss is
pushing hard to charge Will with the crime.
- John killed Milton, sir. He ran-
- Stop trying to absolve your friend.
Get a confession from Mr. Davenport.
Charge him with reckless driving,
then get on with your damn job.
(phones ringing) (background chatter)
- [Narrator] Will is inconsolable, but Leonard
knows just what to say.
- [Leonard] God still loves you, very much, Will.
(Will shuddering and swallowing)
(solemn piano music)
- [Narrator] When the truth comes out,
all charges of reckless driving are dropped.
(birds chirping) (peaceful orchestral music)
And a letter from Ernie gives Will a new job title-- Dad.
(peaceful music continuing)
- Does... that sound all right to you?
(birds chirping)
- It sounds wonderful.
(peaceful music continuing)
- Dad?
- Yes, son?
- I feel very lucky.
- So do I.
(peaceful music concluding)
- [Narrator] The Grantchester Police investigate
an apparent suicide as we
begin our favorite episode from Season Nine.
But the landlady is not so sure the
victim went out the window on his own.
- No.
Someone else was in here.
Someone else helped him on his way.
(ominous orchestral music)
- [Narrator] Local preacher Sam seems to be connected to yet
another resident who has turned up dead.
- He told me he'd considered ending his life.
Well, I'm sorry I couldn't help him, but...
beyond that, I have nothing to feel guilty about.
(chair shifting)
And you have no reason to keep me here.
- [Narrator] But Geordie and Alphy soon discover
that Sam is not who he says he is.
- Geordie?
- [Geordie] (on the phone) His name?
- John Amos.
- [Geordie] Oh, no.
He's a nasty piece of work, Alphy.
Controlling.
Violent.
- [Alphy] (on the phone) What if he tried to stop us
finding out?
You know, every time I got a letter,
there was a break-in soon after.
- It was him.
- [Narrator] Alphy and Leonard confront Sam,
but when the police arrive,
the talking stops and the shooting begins.
(frantic string music) (window opening)
- Geordie!
(gun cocking) (gun firing)
- [Geordie] Larry!
(gun cocking and firing again and again)
- Stop!
(gun cocking and firing)
(gun firing)
(Leonard falling to the ground)
(frantic music continuing)
(punching and groaning)
- [Narrator] But in the end, Sam is captured.
Leonard has just a flesh wound,
and Miss Scott sees Larry in a new light.
(uplifting orchestral music)
And finally, in our favorite episode from Season Ten,
(glasses clinking) (woman calling from outside)
when Alphy tries to have a quiet dinner at home with Meg.
They're interrupted by Vicar David and...
- Your niece?
- Apparently so.
(sly string music)
- Joan, Alphy.
It's a pleasure.
- [Joan] Pleasure's all mine, darlin'.
- Is the study free?
- Now is really not a good time.
- I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't
of vital clerical importance.
- Can't you go to the bishop?
- No, no.
He cannot know about any of this.
- [Narrator] When the owner of the local gentleman's club
turns up dead,
Leonard directs a reenactment of the crime.
- Madam is here, say?
- And I'm up here.
(footsteps)
- [Leonard] And where are you?
(fabric rustling) (footsteps)
- Oh, I had a ciggy, if that's important.
- (gasping) You know what we should do?
- Do not say, "A reconstruction."
- All my theatrical training has been leading to this moment.
- What theatrical training?
(kissing) - [Narrator] Once the killing
is solved, Alphy and Meg
finish their date with a kiss.
And an odd poem from Leonard.
- A poem about cheese.
- It was actually very poignant.
(serene orchestral music)
- [Narrator] We're not sure what our favorite episode
will be from Season 11,
but let's take a sneak peek at what's in store.
(mellow jazzy music)
- [Alphy] I was going to talk today about reunions.
- [Geordie] Well, Christ on a bike, can you believe it?
- Alphy, hello again.
- [Leonard] With every risk you take, good things can happen.
- [Alphy] Sit back, relax, enjoy.
(clapping)
- [Narrator] All good things must come to an end.
"Grantchester: The Final Season" on MASTERPIECE Mystery.
Season 11 promises even more memorable moments from Alphy,
Geordie, Mrs. C-- and just maybe another murder or two.
(chuckling) Don't miss it!
Until then, thank you so much for joining us for
"Our Favorite Things About Grantchester."
(intriguing orchestral theme)
(theme fading)
- "Grantchester" has become a fixture
of the television landscape,
a show that across cast changes and cultural shifts
never lost its distinctive voice.
- With a devoted audience and critical acclaim,
this celebration of the series will remind viewers
why they fell in love with the show
and why its story deserves to be cherished.
- Hi, I'm Lee Newton, along with Alice Ferris.
Critic Allison Keene wrote about the nefarious doings
in the otherwise sleepy village of Grantchester,
saying, "For fans of crime shows
that specialize in not being too gruesome or too taxing,
the series of 'Grantchester' is dreamy."
- We've loved celebrating
our favorite things about "Grantchester,"
and right now as we celebrate "Grantchester,"
we're encouraging you to make your investment
in the "Masterpiece Mysteries" that you love on PBS.
It's your support that makes all the programs possible.
- And now that PBS no longer receives federal funding,
your contribution is more important than ever.
Please visit us online
or use the number on your screen to make your contribution.
- And when you give right now,
we have some very special ways to say thank you.
Here's more.
- [Narrator] Featuring a delightful and appealing sleuth,
charming locations, artful writing, and engaging mysteries,
"Grantchester" on Masterpiece Mystery is a PBS Wisconsin
viewer favorite. And thanks to your investment in PBS Wisconsin
we're celebrating our favorite things about "Grantchester."
Become a $10 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the 10th anniversary season
of "Grantchester" on two DVDs.
Set in 1962, season 10 sees DI Geordie Keating
and Reverend Alphy Kottaram deepening their partnership
amidst a changing world.
Murder takes center stage, of course,
and Geordie taps into Alphy's intuition
to probe homicides on church grounds.
There are deeply moving, gratifying storylines
for each character,
exploring themes of parents and children,
identity, and living one's values.
Become a $20 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with our exclusive
Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
that features the whimsical illustrations
of eccentric master of macabre nonsense, Edward Gorey.
This eye-catching umbrella
celebrates the mysteries you love
with wickedly funny and deliciously sinister images
from the series.
Plus, we'll also include the exclusive
Masterpiece logo ceramic mug.
For more than 50 years,
Masterpiece has been delighting audiences
with heartwarming and captivating programs,
including cozy mysteries, police procedurals,
costume dramas, and period pieces.
Celebrate them all with this exclusive umbrella and mug.
Or become a $25 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the season 10 two-DVD set,
the exclusive Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella,
and the exclusive Masterpiece ceramic mug.
Please visit us online
or call 1-800-236-3636
to make your gift to support PBS Wisconsin now.
Thank you!
- Daisy Coulam, writer, series creator,
and executive producer of "Grantchester" recently said,
"At its heart, 'Grantchester' is a show
about the power of friendship and love."
We've been so lucky over the last 11 seasons
to experience that on and offscreen.
For over a decade now, cast and crew,
many who have been there since the beginning,
have met each summer to film, and it's been an absolute joy.
Thank you to James Runcie for entrusting us
with his characters.
Thank you to the lovely people of real Grantchester.
Thank you to everyone
who's been a part of the show in any way,
and we'd like to thank you
because there would be no "Grantchester"
without the support of PBS viewers.
And as "Grantchester" comes to an end after 11 seasons,
please be assured that new mysteries are on the way.
But now that public media
no longer receives federal funding,
your contribution is more important than ever.
Please visit us online or use the number on your screen
to make your contribution right now.
- Author Mindy Quigley joked
that you could describe cozy mysteries like "Grantchester"
as "they all died happily ever after."
As she explains, these series have emerged
as stalwart defenders of a moral order,
a world where goodness and justice are enduring values.
In close-knit communities like Grantchester,
there is an understanding that ordinary people
are capable of extraordinary evil and extraordinary good.
Right now, you can do something truly good
by investing in this PBS station
where you enjoy the best dramas and mysteries to be found.
Just visit us online
or reach out to the number on your screen
to give right now.
- I've been watching "Masterpiece Mystery!"
for years and years,
and I have loved so many of the incredible series.
Many "Masterpiece Mysteries"
have been based on classic novels
by authors like Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
but some of my favorites are more recent mysteries
based on books written by authors like Anthony Horowitz,
Robert Thorogood, and James Runcie,
who penned the "Grantchester" books.
Their cozy mysteries are perfect for our times
as they offer us such an escape from everyday life.
It's your investment in this PBS station
that helps these stories leap from the page to the screen.
We can't do it without you, so please visit us online
or reach out to the number on your screen
to contribute right now.
- The idea of a cozy mystery like "Grantchester"
is explored on the "Masterpiece" website
where you can actually print your own
cozy mystery bingo card.
You can play along at home
while watching your favorite cozy mystery
and see if you can be the first
to spot the amateur sleuth, look for the vicar,
a red herring or two,
a picturesque village setting like Grantchester,
and an irked police officer like Geordie.
After all, what's more fun than a good mystery?
It's all in good fun, so no wagering, please.
It's your investment in this PBS station
that makes all your favorite mysteries and dramas possible.
There are new seasons and new series in the works,
but they're only possible with your contribution,
so please visit us online
or reach out to the number on your screen
to give right now.
- Writer Jessica Faust says,
"For those who have never delved into the world
of the cozy mystery like 'Grantchester,'
you're missing something fun and wonderful.
You're missing small towns, delicious baked goods,
and creative, quirky, and wonderful people.
You're also missing a world where no one thinks it odd
that once every few months someone is murdered."
Well, we love cozy mysteries,
and thanks to your investment in this PBS station,
some of the very best are found on "Masterpiece Mystery!"
There are more cozy mysteries on the way,
but please don't take them for granted.
They're only possible because of your support,
so please visit us online
or reach out to the number on your screen to give right now.
- [Narrator] Become a $10 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the 10th anniversary season
of "Grantchester" on two DVDs.
Set in 1962, season 10 sees DI Geordie Keating
and Reverend Alphy Kottaram deepening their partnership
amidst a changing world.
There are deeply moving, gratifying storylines
for each character,
exploring themes of parents and children,
identity, and living one's values.
Become a $20 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with our exclusive
Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
that features the whimsical illustrations
of eccentric master of macabre nonsense, Edward Gorey.
Plus, we'll also include the exclusive
Masterpiece logo ceramic mug.
For more than 50 years,
Masterpiece has been delighting audiences
with heartwarming and captivating programs,
including cozy mysteries, police procedurals,
costume dramas, and period pieces.
Celebrate them all with this exclusive umbrella and mug.
Or become a $25 monthly sustainer
and we'll thank you with the season 10 two-DVD set,
the exclusive Very Gorey Masterpiece Mystery Umbrella
and the exclusive Masterpiece ceramic mug.
Please visit us online
or call 1-800-236-3636
to make your gift to support PBS Wisconsin now.
Thank you!
- [Announcer] Let me tell you about PBS Passport,
a member benefit that is- - Absolutely amazing.
- [Announcer] Agreed.
Make a qualifying donation to this PBS station,
and you can enjoy all that PBS Passport has to offer
with the PBS app or online.
What you'll get? A new you.
Picture it.
You could be a theater buff, an epicurious wonder,
a science dynamo, a history savant,
or just a well-rounded, interesting delight.
What journey will you take?
Go online or reach out to the number on the screen
to give now and take advantage of PBS Passport today.
- Series like "Grantchester" harken back
to a literary era between World Wars,
known as the golden age of detective fiction,
when writers like Agatha Christie
published classic whodunit detective novels.
Their work playfully misleads readers
while simultaneously encouraging them to solve the crime
alongside the protagonist.
Agatha Christie is now considered
the mother of cozy mysteries,
though the cozy term wasn't coined
until the late 20th century.
It's your investment in this PBS station
that has made this longstanding commitment
to the very best mysteries a standard of PBS.
But we can't take it for granted,
so please visit us online
or reach out to the number on your screen
to make your contribution right now.
- Rishi Nair recently said, "It's been the greatest honor
to step into the world of 'Grantchester'
and be part of a show with so much heart.
I've had the privilege of telling stories
that mean so much to so many,
and I'm deeply thankful for that."
As we present the final chapter of "Grantchester,"
I have a full heart and endless gratitude
for the memories, the friendships,
and the incredible journey we've shared.
It's been a true privilege and joy.
And while the 11th season of "Grantchester"
will be its last,
we can still celebrate
our favorite things about "Grantchester"
while investing in this PBS station,
so more mysteries can come our way.
Please make your contribution right now.
- Thank you for joining us
for our favorite things about "Grantchester."
You can still make your contribution by
visiting us online
or reaching out to the number on your screen.
Thank you.
(intriguing orchestral theme)
(theme fading)
This program was made possible
in part by contributions to your
PBS station from
viewers like you.
Thank you.
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