• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• TV
• TV News
• Grantchester

Grantchester's Robson Green shares heartfelt tribute to co-star ahead of finale

Grantchester star Robson Green has opened up about the close bond he shares with his co-star

Grantchester star Robson Green has shared a heartfelt tribute to his co-star ahead of the show's finale. The much-loved detective drama made its return to ITV on Wednesday (January 7) for its tenth series.

The British crime drama first hit our screens in 2014, featuring Anglican vicar Sidney Chambers (James Norton), who delves into a string of mysterious crimes in his quaint Cambridgeshire village. Robson plays Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, who joined Sidney on his investigative escapades.

James exited the show after the fourth series, with Tom Brittney stepping into the role of Reverend Will Davenport. Rishi Nair has since taken over from Tom as the new vicar, Alphy Kottaram, who made his debut in Grantchester in season nine.

As the show's 11th and final season looms, likely to air next year, Robson opened up about the strong bond he's formed with his vicar co-stars over the years. Speaking to press last month, the actor disclosed that his co-star Rishi had recently spent a weekend with him in Newcastle, celebrating the Magpies' win against Manchester City at St James' Park, reports Cambridgeshire Live.

[Grantchester has returned to ITV for season ten]

View 3 Images

Grantchester has returned to ITV for season ten(Image: ITV)

"I just know when I'm working with Rishi, and we say this a lot, when we're working together and doing a scene together, I'm going, 'Oh, I'm really glad I'm doing this scene with you.' Because we always go back to the common ground of mates," Robson shared.

"So, with Geordie and Sidney at the very start, they were living in the shadow of World War II, so they both had PTSD [through] the shared experience of World War II. And with Tom and Geordie, it was definitely father and son. But with Rishi's character, Alphy, it's a meeting of minds, and when we approach a scene, we always root it as two best friends talking together."

He went on to say: "From the day I first met Rishi, the first thing we talked about was Man United and Newcastle United, and we still do. So, that shorthand we have off camera, whether it's football.

"I mean, I've told things to Rishi as families do in this type of zone. Rishi knows more about me than most of my close family do, because, you know, I trust him enough to tell him certain things about how I'm feeling and what's happened in my life. And he does the same, and now we're best mates. And I just think, that's a beautiful thing."

[Robson Green plays DI Geordie Keating]

View 3 Images

Robson Green plays DI Geordie Keating(Image: ITV)

Offering a glimpse behind the scenes, Robson added: "The thing a lot of people don't know about Rishi Nair's approach to his craft is how much he cares about it. Rishi will open his script, and the notes are so detailed, and he questions everything to get to the truth. And that, for me, gives me the energy to go forward, and for that, I love him.

"As someone who comes into this in its tenth series, he still cares so much and is so passionate about it. And that just reflects within the scenes and on the lens as well. So yeah, it's always a joy... We laugh a lot, me and Rishi."

Rishi echoed these sentiments, revealing: "I was really looking forward to going back [for season ten] These guys call it their happy place and their home, and even for me, just after one season, kind of coming back and doing season ten felt like I was coming back home. Grantchester feels like a big, warm hug every time you come to set.

"You go into work every day, and it's such a cliche, but it really is such a joy. You're working with people that you love and care about, and you all love and care about the show. It's a real team effort, and as I said, we have a lot of fun. We laugh a lot, probably too much sometimes, but it's important. I think that relationship that we all have off-screen really shows on-screen."

[Rishi Nair plays vicar Alphy Kottaram]

View 3 Images

Rishi Nair plays vicar Alphy Kottaram(Image: ITV)

Robson and Rishi have been reunited with several familiar faces for the tenth series, including Al Weaver as Leonard Finch, Tessa Peake-Jones as Mrs C, Kacey Ainsworth as Cathy Keating, Oliver Dimsdale as Daniel Marlowe, Nick Brimble as Jack Chapman, Bradley Hall as DC Larry Peters, and Melissa Jones as Miss Scott.

Tonight's episode (Thursday, January 8) will see ITV viewers drawn into a gripping mystery as a student's death throws Geordie and Alphy into the cutthroat world of academia, where rival research teams are locked in a fierce battle to be first to prove and publish their groundbreaking theses.

The synopsis hints at further drama as Alphy "encounters a complication in his romantic life" - leaving fans wondering how this personal hurdle might affect his bond with Geordie.

Grantchester season 10 is now available to stream on ITVX

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.