Who will replace James Norton as the new vicar in ‘Grantchester’?

The executive producer of Grantchester has promised that the show’s new vicar will be “captivating.”

It’s been a long wait since the third season of Grantchester aired in early 2017, but ITV has now confirmed that Grantchester will be returning for a fourth run.

However, the new episodes will feature the departure of James Norton as Sidney Chambers.

Based on James Runcie’s novels, the period drama series is set in the 1950s in the Cambridgeshire village of Grantchester and was first broadcast in 2014.

The casting of Norton’s replacement will be announced soon, ITV has revealed, as filming on the new episodes starts next month in London, Cambridge and Grantchester.

Rumoured candidates for the role include Josh O’Connor, who plays Lawrence in The Durrells, and Michael Fox, who played footman Andy in Downton Abbey.

Executive producer Diederick Santer commented: “While I’m sad that these will be James Norton’s final episodes, we will make sure he goes out with a bang. We’ve got exciting plans for where the show is heading and the vicarage won’t be vacant for long.”

Executive producer Rebecca Eaton added: “We want to assure them that the series they love will continue with brilliant new episodes and a captivating new vicar.”

Robson Green will be back as Detective Geordie Keating, with other returning cast members including Al Weaver, Tessa Peake-Jones and Kacey Ainsworth.

Season 3 is available now to buy on DVD.

The fourth season of Grantchester is expected to air on ITV in early 2019.