‘Grantchester’ star Robson Green nearly quit when James Norton left

Robson Green has admitted that he almost quit Grantchester.

The actor has played DI Geordie Keating in the 1950s-set period drama series since it began in 2014.

Last year, co-star James Norton announced he was planning to quit playing vicar Sidney Chambers in the show.

Norton was replaced in the recent fourth season by Call the Midwife and Outlander actor Tom Brittney, taking over as Geordie’s new crime-solving partner in the role of clergyman Will Davenport.

However, Grantchester very nearly didn’t continue at all.

Green has revealed: “We had a chat, because we got the re-commission, and there was loads of American money coming in, and we thought, ‘Can we do it again?’

“[James Norton] said, ‘I’ll only do it if you do it’, and vice-versa. ‘But I want to leave.’ So we discussed it. They said, ‘If you both leave, we can’t do the series. So one of you has to stay. And we’ll give you incentives to stay.'”

Fortunately, Robson Green decided not to leave and James Norton agreed to return to film Sidney’s departure from the series.

Explaining his decision to stay, Green commented: “One of the incentives— I mean, seriously, I don’t need the money. It wasn’t the money.

“It was the writing, and being part of something that’s going to be carried forwards, that is going to be enjoyable, and is going to be worthwhile to do.”

He added: “Otherwise, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. And I feel like I’m developing as an actor in series four. I think it’s elevated, and I think it’s better. I do think this is the best series on many levels.”

Season 4 begins in the USA at 9/8c on Sunday 14th July on Masterpiece on PBS.

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