By Laura Moreno
‘Grantchester’- The series that redefined the post-war mystery
by Laura Moreno
“Grantchester” is a captivating television drama that is now in its 11th season. The series masterfully transforms the familiar British murder mystery into something far more consequential than the sum of its parts.
Without question, “Grantchester” has made its mark by turning the traditional “whodunnit” into an intriguing and though provoking “whydunnit.” It does so by pairing a whiskey-drinking vicar who loves jazz, cycling and enjoying life with a hard-nosed detective. The ingonguous partnership makes for a fascinating post-war series that transcends the conventions of the genre.
What sets “Grantchester” apart is its willingness to explore faith, doubt, and redemption alongside its murder investigations. Through an unflinching examination of human nature and conscience itself, “Grantchester” dares to ask questions like what justice means when the law and morality diverge. The series takes the mystery to the next level.
Set in the 1950s and 1960s in the Cambridgeshire village of Grantchester, its moral complexity allows the television series to express the contradictions of its time and place in a changing Britain. It doesn’t shy away from the tensions between post-war optimism and lingering trauma, between social progress and entrenched prejudice, class divisions and religious skepticism to the lingering trauma of war and the changing roles of women in society.
The storylines of the mysteries are clever without being overly convoluted or dark, and nostalgic while remaining of great interest to contemporary audiences. It’s intellectually stimulating viewing while not bombarding audiences who may already be over-stresses with more stress, like many shows.
Directed primarily by Al Weaver, Edward Bennett, and Tom Brittney, it is written by James Runcie (whose books inspired the series) as well as Jamie Crichton and Kacey Ainsworth.
From the opening shot, the cinematography captures the picturesque beauty of the English countryside. Equally, the delightful, at times almost ethereal soundtrack was written by Emmy-winning composer John Lunn, who also wrote the music for “Downton Abbey,” “The Last Kingdom,” and many others.
Divine detection
The series has contined to evolve over time. The opening season originally featured Anglican vicar Sidney Chambers played by James Norton, then vicar Will Davenport played by Tom Brittney after Norton’s departure. And now Rishi Nair stars as vicar Alphy Kotteram. Each new vicar brings a new and different perspective to the role while maintaining the core dynamic with Detective Inspector Geordie Keating played by Robson Green, whose character has remained a constant throughout the series.
The genuine friendship and contrasting approaches between the emotionally intuitive clergyman and the methodical police inspector is a major part of the show’s appeal. Keating relies on procedure and evidence while the vicars employ empathy, intuition, and a real understanding of human nature. The vicar and the detective approach each case from opposing angles and achieve more together than they would be able to do alone.
Set in 1963, Season 11 takes place in a United Kingdom that still penalized same sex relationships. Leonard Finch (played by Al Weaver) is a gay man who is bookish, quiet, and deeply empathetic. In previous seasons Finch ran a local literary cafe, set up a halfway house for ex-convicts, and lost his position in the church when he was tried and sent to prison briefly for homosexuality.
This season, Leonard Finch misses serving in the church as an assistant priest and explores the possibility of returning. His deep personal faith has endured despite his trials and he would like to serve the community again. It’s a storyline filled with nuance, and the series allows Finch to exist in the complicated middle where real life happens.
After a successful 11-year run, “Grantchester” has carved out a special niche in the pantheon of detective series. The secret to its success is its satisfying combination of intellectual and emotional depth that has rarely been equaled in the genre.
Now streaming on PBS Masterpiece, PBS Passport, or Amazon Prime Video.