10 new pics from ‘Grantchester’ Season 4: Sidney meets his replacement!

ITV has released a gallery of images from the new season of Grantchester.

Based on James Runcie’s novels, the 1950s period drama series returns with six new episodes next month.

It was announced earlier this year that McMafia star James Norton will be departing the show as vicar Sidney Chambers early on in the fourth season.

Sidney’s replacement as DI Geordie Keating’s new crime-solving partner will be clergyman Will Davenport, played by Tom Brittney (Call the Midwife, Outlander).

Returning cast members will include Robson Green, Al Weaver, Tessa Peake-Jones and Kacey Ainsworth.

Season 4 begins in the UK at 9pm on on Friday 11th January on ITV.

The official synopsis for Episode 1 reads: “It’s 1956 and with Amanda long gone, Sidney’s life now revolves around the church services and the interminable meetings of the Parochial Council and their plans for a village fete.

“He yearns for some excitement, and Geordie has noticed that Sidney’s devil-may-care attitude feels increasingly like a death wish.

“In need of spiritual sustenance, Sidney and Leonard go to hear inspirational civil rights activist Reverend Nathaniel Todd talk in Cambridge as part of a fundraising tour. Todd is accompanied by his son Charles, daughter Violet, and fellow activist Robert DeVeaux.

“Professor Barkley and his wife Madhia host their stay, and while at their house, Leonard introduces Sidney to an old friend, Will Davenport. Will is the current Chaplain at Corpus Christi, following in Sidney’s footsteps. Sidney strikes up a conversation with beautiful, vibrant Violet Todd and sparks soon fly.

“At the talk, Nathaniel’s impassioned speech invigorates Sidney until he is interrupted by a racist young student, Gregory Jones, who verbally attacks the pastor. Chaos then erupts and what sound like gunshots ring through the church as fireworks are thrown by protesters.

“Sidney, Leonard, Will, the Barkleys and the Todds are all almost crushed by the crowd trying to escape. Finally, Will breaks open the door and they spill out of the church… but Charles Todd staggers forward, stabbed by an unseen assailant, and dies in his father’s arms.

“As Geordie and Sidney set about finding the killer, Reverend Todd wrestles with his grief, Violet steels herself to speak out, Sidney wrestles with his growing feelings for her – and Leonard has a poem prepared for the village fete…”

Season 4 will air in the USA later this year on Masterpiece on PBS.

The first three seasons of Grantchester are available on DVD on Amazon.