James Norton in Grantchester.

He's a cutie. Like the show, too.

I liked him better as a rapist in Happy Valley.

Thanks R2. I knew I had seen him in in another series.

You may have seen him as the earnest lawyer in Death Comes to Pemberely.

IFHH.

Had he done nudity?

I've had him.

Well, of course you have, dear. At this point, we just assume . . .

At least I don't chase my suitors away, Edith. Your snatch must be lined with broken glass!

He's a canon I'd like to see shoot in my direction.

He's 30. Owns a house in the Peckham section of London. Bios don't mention wife or girlfriend.

He's hoping to be the next Benedict Cumberbatch.

I like Bandersnatch Cummerbund, but Norton is hotter by a factor of approximately infinity.

He looked good shirtless in the newest episode.

I thought he was hot as fuck in Happy Valley but I'm more comfortable lusting after him as a hero.

He is tall, [italic]really[/italic] handsome (love his face!) and has a terrific body. And -- not inconsequentially -- he is a good actor/interesting to watch.

He's so likeable, r15 that I have a hard time imagining him playing a baddie. Obviously I only know him from Grantchester.

He's brilliant in Happy Valley.

Good actor, plays sociopathic killer and English pastor equally well.

My problem with Granchester is that the scripts depend on him looking adorable too much. Notice how often he'll be having a conversation with someone and he will just be silent, long pause and give a little smile instead of answer.

In real life I'd start wondering if he was mentally slow.

He is my new favorite actor. Not just because he's very handsome---he is a great actor, too.

Nice biceps when he was chopping wood in this week's episode.

If more members of the clergy looked like him, I wouldn't be an atheist.

Holy fuck, his body is amazing.

I don't know if I trust my gaydar because A) British and B) I love a ginger, but I thought he was pinging to high hell on the most recent episode.

He showed a lot more than just his biceps on Sundays' episode. Very nice body.

VOTN, I have never agreed with you more than your statements in R21. Holy fuck indeed. I'm in love. Back off, bitches.

Church porn

He's got a shrew-y face. All squinty and Adams-apple-y. Worked well for him in Happy Valley.

Saw him in a movie called Belle. He's cute. he has referenced to a girlfriend in recent interviews.

Do we really fucking care what Voice thinks?

The next time he's drinking, I wish the vicar would fuck the nerdy gay assistant vicar.

Dear UK,

We get it. People used to drink more and smoke a lot years ago.

R29, give it up.

Needs more bathtub scenes. With Robson.

You give up, R30. It's boring watching actors swig whiskey and smoke on tv shows nowadays more than they did on TV during the actual time referenced in the shows.

I like Norton, but this show is a bore. And it's true that Green seems to have wandered in from a different series.

Oh, boo hoo, R32. Don't watch it. But you'd rather watch and whine about it.

After three episodes, I concur that it's kind of a bore.

And Robson Green - did he need the money or something? It seems like a comedown from his other roles.

I've seen him in two interviews and he's the queeniest thing to come out of the UK since Quinton Crisp. Adorable and very femme but manages to reign it in while acting. I doubt he'll ever come out.

How in hell could you ever know that, r35?

While he may be queeny, R35, it's "rein," not "reign."

I know R37. I tried to make a joke--queeny, reign--but I guess it didn't work.

I watch Grantchester for Norton and the period settings and characterizations. The show itself is boring and whatever mysteries there might be are no mysteries to anyone who's ever seen a detective show before. And Norton, as cute as he is, is the most laconic, inept minister I've ever seen. Just poor writing all around, but I like the setting. So I guess it's true to the Downton Abbey tradition.

I did notice after binge-watching Happy Valley with Norton recently that he's still experiencing bad hair days in Grantchester. In HV, he has dark hair with a bleach blond overlay. It's been toned down to a more gingery color in Grantchester, but he still has very anachronistic two-tone hair.

[quote]The show itself is boring and whatever mysteries there might be are no mysteries to anyone who's ever seen a detective show before.

Glad I'm not the only one who feels that way R39.

The writing is really weak and the characters aren't as interesting as say "Father Brown".

Aside from the new vicar who is apparently "a pansy" I haven't seen anyone who is at all likeable.

I wouldn't mind reading the original books to see if they're any better.

I can't believe he's only 30. What have you been doing to yourself, Mr Norton?

And also, in the most recent episode, Norton's character really threw the new curate under the bus because he couldn't be bothered to read the curate's sermon, and then claimed he had and had no criticism to offer. Then, when the curate gave his sermon and it was a dismal failure, Norton had to stifle laughter listening to it and exchanged sneers with his ex-ladyfriend. Was really quite the cunt, as they might say in Britain.

Yeah R42. I know it's just a TV show but what a childish thing to do. Bad enough he ignored the guys request of reading the sermon but to giggle with his past piece in church was very cuntish.

Father Brown likes being a priest and solves crimes on the side, but rarely ignores his parish responsibilities.

Clearly Sidney Chambers doesn't really like being a minister and would rather be a cop. Well then, get on with it you prat.

I just watch it with the sound off and a bottle of poppers in hand.

[quote]I liked him better as a rapist in Happy Valley.

Me too. I though it was brilliant that they cast a really good looking guy as the baddie psycho. His looks have nothing sinister about them, unlike the guy from The Fall, who has rather dead looking eyes.

He was also very sexy in Death Comes to Pemberly -- actually, all the men in that were incredibly sexy, which makes you think, hmmm, who did the casting...

I love Norton. I love his hair, his scrunched up smile, and his pretty eyes.

He's hot as hell.

I don't know how to link to stuff on tumblr. Hopefully this works.

Trying a different way...

No. 2

No. 3

What happened to his back, R50?

He and Kip Pardue could have some pretty children.

[quote]What happened to his back, [R50]?

It's makeup. His character was wounded in WWII

Thank you, VOTN. You're one of the nicest posters on DL>

No. 4

No. 5

No. 6

No. 7

No. 8

He has flashbacks to the war, R50. He was not a chaplain; he was a soldier.

No. 9

I am now about to begin Grantchester.

Grantchester is really not that great of a show, but it does have a good cast and a star with some seriously kissable lips.

Agreed. The acting is better than the writing on this show.

Mundane plotting, bad casting, mediocre acting and the period details are often iffy, but James Norton will keep me watching.

He is so much better than all that surrounds him here. If you have Netflix, definitely check him out on Happy Valley, a truly wonderful series.

I watched the first ep of Happy Valley. I'm not as impressed as you were, R65, perhaps because I expected James Norton would have more airtime.

Stick with it, R66. He gets plenty of airtime.

Keep watching, R66. You can't (or at least you shouldn't) judge Happy Valley based on a single episode.

Any of it naked, R67?

Keep watching r66. You'll see many "aspects" of Jamie by the end.

[quote] it does have a good cast

I don't like the cast. I dont find the housekeeper appealing; she doesn't give off a "prickly but loveable" vibe that I think the producers are going for. The big nosed girlfriend is a turnoff, as is the sister who is in an unlikely postwar relationship with a black man who has an unlikely lower class Englush accent (when a black man in Britain at that time would almost certainly have a Caribbean accent). Nor would the sister's relationship be blithely accepted as if he's just a white guy with a tan. People were very prejudiced in the UK at the time -- my grandparents are from the UK and I know what the attitude was.

I know everybody adores Norton. I think he's a good actor, but he is just not my type. He looks like he lost his eyeglasses and he's got one of those unfortunate Adams apples. And I just don't like ginger.

Robson Greene seems surprised he is on the show and looks as if he is in a great hurry to leave and get to another set.

Oh well, you can't hit a home run every time. A lot of Masterpiece Mystery is good; this one just happens to be a clunker, like Inspector Lewis.

[quote]Oh well, you can't hit a home run every time. A lot of Masterpiece Mystery is good; this one just happens to be a clunker, like Inspector Lewis.

More James Norton and Lawrence Fox (once I pry him away from Billie Piper) for me, then.

[quote] He gets plenty of airtime

By the end of the series he is the costar.

I would bum him

You can keep Lawrence Fox as well. You are welcome to his overbite and Adam's apple.

I recently saw a Foyle's War episofe Fox was in and he hasn't aged well since then. . Must be the smoking.

[quote]I know everybody adores Norton. I think he's a good actor, but he is just not my type. He looks like he lost his eyeglasses and he's got one of those unfortunate Adams apples. And I just don't like ginger.

R71 = President of the Dave Bautista/Rocco Steele Fan Club.

Ommmm yaw dod!

Oy am!

Ommmm yaw dod!

I agree about the housekeeper. That actress just doesn't know how to pull off that kind of disgruntledness to make it funny, charming or remotely engaging.

And the ex-fiancée? Are they trying to do some kind of an Audrey Hepburn number on her?

Other than James Norton the only character I find likeable is the ass't vicar. But I don't get how we, the audience, are supposed to respond to Robson Green's cracks about him being a pansy? Is that supposed to endear us to Robson Green, who looks like he never bathes and who can't seem to pay a single scene without a ciggie in his hand and like he'd rather be anywhere else than Grantchester?

I loved Happy Valley, even without him, I thought it was a great show. But he is hot as fuck in it.

And I also love Robson Green and would love to see some action between the two of them, even if Green is a bit of a geezer at this point.

But I'm having to force myself to watch Grantchester. I just find it boring and completely uninteresting.

The housekeeper makes me think of Gladys Kravitz with a low-rent British accent. And not funny.

I wonder why the highly unlikely pairing of Norton's sister with a black man in the early 1950s goes unremarked upon, but the police inspector gets to call the other vicar a pansy every time he sees him.

It's as if the producers decided to pretend that racial prejudice didn't exist in those days, but homophobia is always ok.

[quote] And the ex-fiancée? Are they trying to do some kind of an Audrey Hepburn number on her?

She looka like a man.

Have you noticed that pretty much every woman in the show is unattractive? Some to the point of near repulsion? The housekeeper, the fiancé, the women in the stolen ring episode and the woman who played Jean Marsh's daughter.

Ugly, masculine-looking women.

Happy Valley turned out not to be that interesting. Thanks anyway to those who recommended sticking with it.

Grantchester has been picked up for a second series. Suck it, haters!

I noticed that too, R82. The most attractive women so far have been the German widow and the wife who was murdered by her husband's mistress. The ex-girlfriend is unattractive, partly because of the look on her face, but I suppose the casting director thought differently.

Then again, which of the men has been attractive, except for Sidney? I like Robson Green's looks, but he's no beauty.

The ex-girlfriend's fiancée is quite dishy. Just about as handsome as an Englishman can be.

Call me a prude but I think all the cigarette smoking makes most of the actors and actresses less attractive.

r42, you don't think Pastors are pissed when a new assistant is dumped on them by their superiors, you'd wouldn't wonder why they'd laugh at the sermon of an incompetent.

r21, you'd better not go after MY Vicar!

There really is a Grantchester.

There's a new episode tonight and apparently homophobia hampers an investigation.

I'm pretty sure I'll be watching "Better Call Saul".

Who would you rather see naked, James Norton or Bob Odenkirk?

Judging by what I plan to watch I think you know the answer to that, Voice.

VOTN, in answer to your question, I'll be watching Grantchester and recording Better Call Saul. I have my priorities!

Based on the preview, I'm wondering if the "troubled young man" is Geordie's son.

[quote]I dont find the housekeeper appealing; she doesn't give off a "prickly but loveable" vibe that I think the producers are going for.

I disagree that she's supposed to be "prickly but loveable". She's not meeting your expectations from seeing the "prickly but loveable" character in so many other shows. She comes across as much more honest.

This last episode was excellent.

R87, doesn't matter if he was dumped on him or not. He's supposed to be a professional and if he has the time to be giggling with his ex-girlfriend, the slut who's getting married to someone she doesn't love, then he has the time to save the curate's preaching ass. But then he'd have to spend less time looking at his reflection in the mirror or doing all the "brooding" that he has to do in every episode.

VoTN - James Norton, seeing as I started this thread. However, I would fuck Odenkirk's brains out too.

r95 - Sidney is supposed to be flawed. Drinks too much and a bit self-involved, among other things.

Was there any homosex in this episode?

Most professions have a tradition of mentorship. Sidney would be expected to mentor a new curate after he has had a few years experience in the field. It's pretty much SOP.

Awesome show, well written, it makes me want to ball like a 12year old.

And the puppy! Is there anything hotter than a hot, lovelorn priest with PTSD, a drinking problem, and a puppy?!

I can't stop looking at his hair. It makes me swoon! There can't be many teen girls in that village or they would all be filling the pews on Sundays. I like this show but I enjoy Father Brown more. He has had his share of hotties on there too.

[quote] "Awesome show, well written, it makes me want to ball like a 12year old."

And, sadly, express yourself like one.

I thought Sidney's two-tone hair was especially evident in last night's episode. it's very distracting.

The German woman sounds like she has a speech impediment more than an accent. Didn't really find her to be very attractive, either.

The two-tone hair is distracting. He said in an interview that he had to have it dyed in a hurry because he had peroxide hair from his Happy Valley role. It wasn't so noticeable in the first two episodes for some reason.

Good episode. Sidney is not only hot, but he is far ahead of his time in his outlook. The grumpy housekeeper was shown in a more human light, not that I disliked her before but it was nice to see her bonding with Gertrude over their losses. Geordie's son having whooping cough seemed quite timely, considering the crazy anti-vaxers are so much in the news these days. I have never read the books, so I don't know how closely the series adheres to them.

James Norton has wonderful hair indeed but the 2 tone coloring and even the styling seems to vary with each scene. Is the Continuity Girl sleeping??

The German lady not only has a speech impediment but apparently suffers from polio as well. She can't walk a straight line. And her hair is also a mess....maybe it's not a problem with Continuity as much as Hair Dressing.

I don't think there's any question of Sydney being expected to mentor his assistant. The criticism was aimed at his failure to mentor him and help him with his sermon, not sit there giggling at the assistant's ineptitude in church.

Has anyone else noted the physical similarity between Robson Green and Bob Odenkirk?

They both have those beaky noses.

Nice photo of Robson trying to get it on with Cheryl.

R98 - I just saw two men kissing in the men's washroom.

He is so dreamy, I just can't stand it. I haven't been to church in years, but I'd start if there was a preacher man like that!

I think the German woman is pretty.

Did anyone catch this weeks gay themed episode?

I can no longer watch this tripe. Convoluted yet boring plotting.

I love James Norton but the period details are just so carelessly wrong.

And there were no Justins in 1953.

Thought the ending of last week's "gay episode" was rather timely fitting into today's SSM/equality movement.

Gay character tells Grantchester that it is all very well for him to be "true to his nature" or some such because he doesn't have to hide what he is. Whereas he besides now being known as gay was possibly up for a charge of “gross indecency" among others. In the end you see the gay guy going to jail(?) cut with scenes of Geordie's latest child being baptized surrounded by a big loving family. The meaning was clear...

Last night's plot was obviously tossed off in 15 minutes because there was nothing clever or interesting about it, except for getting to see Sidney waking up in the singer's bed in his boxers. The "mystery" was flat out ridiculous.

Norton is fap material (i.e. waking up in the black woman's bed and shamefully scuttling out), but on a rational level, no country vicar had a body like this in 1953. Only "physique" models did.

Even James Norton appears to be walking through it at this point.

What is with the hair? Is James Norton growing out the red or do all ginger headed men have those really dark roots?

For the first time, he pinged to me in this most recent episode.

There is something wrong with a series if the most discussed aspect of it is someone's hair.

But here I go ...

If his hair is naturally dark why didn't they just dye it a similar color? Was the previous dye job so cheap that his hair will fall out if it's done again?

Norton is sexy but the writing on this show is shit. And I'm basically an idiot, so that should tell you something.

To our UK friends reading this thread: Is Grantchester respected any more there than here?

Is James a big TV star?

Very lazy writing. The vicar misses a service and it's barely brought up. He spends an evening dancing and drinking with an old flame and nobody thinks a thing about it except her fiancee, who is rightfully angry. And the plot point about his sister checking coats? Just stupid.

Simulating convincing hairstyles on period TV dramas is a major problem. I'm watching The White Queen now and the wigs are hilarious.

The series is based on books which I haven't read, but somebody on IMDB posted that in the books, Sidney's sister's boyfriend is white. I guess the series went the color-blind route of casting a black actor but not making race an issue (which it surely would have been in the early 1950s).

Another show which tries to rewrite history, showing race and homosexuality as more accepted than it ever was in the UK.

I don't know what it is, but I find Norton irresistible. He's not conventionally handsome but something about him is so goddamn charming that I watch the show just to watch him. Yes, the plots are thin (maybe it's just too hard to condense a full book into a 50 minute program) and the situations are historically awry... but Norton is just so amazingly charismatic....

I would love to hear from some UK DLers -- is Norton well known there? What's the skinny?

[quote] I would love to hear from some UK DLers -- is Norton well known there?

He's obviously well known, he's starred in several television series.

My impression was that playing the villain in last season's wonderful Happy Valley was a career breakthrough for James and he hadn't been known nationally much before that.

Is that correct UKers?

Has it been mentioned that he's going to play Prince Andrei in the new version of War and Peace opposite Lady Rose from Downtown?

R128 Yeah I would agree with that. Maybe some other UK posters would too. Happy Valley was a big hit that grew in momentum. Sarah Lancashire has been a regular on UK TV for about 25 years. She's always great, right back to her Coronation Street days but this in this part she was a bit of a revelation and she got most of the plaudits. Deservedly so, she was excellent, but James got a lot of praise too.

R126 In terms of being well known, James is not exactly a "celebrity" or household name. He seems to maintain a low profile and I've never even seen him interviewed much in print or on TV when promoting Grantchester. Robson Green would still be the more well known of the two but like Sarah Lancashire, Robson's regularly been in shows here for 25 years.

He's like a fuckin' pre-Raphaelite "swain" come to life two centuries later!

I with you r81, it really bothered me that the producers thought it was OK to use homophobic slurs that existed during the period i.e. pansy, but carefully avoided any racial slurs or any actual acknowledgement that interracial dating would have caused a huge uproar. If they were going to use derogatory language for one group, why not another? Well we know why, there would to an uproar if they did.

James is adorable, but I agree with those saying the scripts are weak.

It was a busy night last night: murders solved, breakups, war memories comes alive and lots of brooding and booze. He's thinking of academica where he can brood more.

And the real love story, of course, is Geordie and Sidney.

when will he present his anus?

Is there any reason to watch last night's episode?

Meaning - were there any shirtless or butt shots?

Otherwise I might just delete it without watching. It's not a very good show.

R137, you can make this big decision all on your own!

Tom Austen (who plays Amanda's fiance Guy) is hotter than Norton by a mile...

and openly gay!

Watch some of his interviews on Youtube. Ping! Ping! Ping!

lurvely darling!!

IMDb fangurls are onto his gayness. James and Henry Cavill should hook up.

He's a lot less dreamy in real life than he was on Grantchester, based on that interview clip.

I absolutely adore Leonard Finch. He's too cute!

He always does that forced laugh/smile. It's rather off-putting.

In which episode was he chopping wood? Or is that slang? lol. He used a scythe? The grim reaper carries one with him...it is a long curved cutting tool for cutting grass...which the vicar used to trim the grass along the head stones in the cemetery. ? and just cuz he gazes into the camera doesn't mean that he is slow..lol. uh, maybe he is making a mental decision?? or struggling to not laugh out loud...:)

[quote]In which episode was he chopping wood? Or is that slang? lol. He used a scythe? The grim reaper carries one with him...it is a long curved cutting tool for cutting grass...which the vicar used to trim the grass along the head stones in the cemetery. ?

It isn't chopping wood, r146. But you are right that he is trimming the grass around headstones with a scythe.

It is at the beginning of Episode 2. I don't think they are given titles, but it is the one with the engagement party.

"Another show which tries to rewrite history, showing race and homosexuality as more accepted than it ever was in the UK."

Did you watch the show? It showed the prejudice that both gay and black people faced back then

A man and his scythe.

Scythe No. 2

that's why he is attractive idiot,HE'S NOT GAY

Naked...

...butt

Hello

Well well

Nice to meet you

He really is quite sexy in a classy, British way.

MORE please!

sexy sexy man

I want some more Norton skin!

Norton fans set the date: Mon, Jan 18! His Hotness stars as Prince Andrei in "War & Peace", at 9PM EST on Lifetime, A & E, and the History Channel simultaneously. He looks mean, moody, and magniifcent in Russian cavalry officer uniform!

When is Season 2 of Grantchester to air in the US? PBS or BBC America?

[quote]When is Season 2 of Grantchester to air in the US? PBS or BBC America?

If only there were a way to find information though a connected network of servers, like a world wide web of information. If only there were a program which searched, organized and catalogued results.

Season 2 starring James Norton and Robson Green will air Sunday, March 27-May 1, 2016 at 9pm ET on MASTERPIECE on PBS

And it will be out on DVD in June!

So, within three minutes, he's got his shirt off.

They know their audience.

Also, Robson Green is a hot daddy.

They both smoke too much.

I usually do not like redheads, but I'll make an exception for him!

r41 Actually, I thought he was in his mid to late thirties. Of course, the British don't worry about their skin, teeth, hair, etc. the way Americans do. I guess that's why we're prettier.

I really wish the Amanda plot would have been resolved last year with her wedding and him letting go and moving on. It is my least favorite part of the show..

I'm not crazy about the Amanda plot either, R170. I guess we're stuck with it because it was part of the books.

Thanks. I was wondering if she was a character throughout the books, but was too lazy to look it up (and was afraid I knew and would not like the answer). Oh well it could be worse.

James was gorgeous in those swim trunks. He is beautiful. Robson was a hot younger man and is now a hot daddy.

I want to dry him after his swim.

[quote] a hot daddy

dickwiltingest of all DLisms

James did look beautiful in those trunks, thicker than I expected, tree trunk legs, very hot. Robson still looks good for his age.

Is there Sidney/Geordie slashfic out there?

Geordie drinks so much because he has sexual desire for Sidney. Sidney drinks too much because he is torn between his religion and his homosexuality. They end up in a frenzied night of sex. I will look forward to this episode.

And then Leonard goes out on a date with another man.

There's no way this is going to end without Leonard getting murdered or run out of town, is there?

He can read the Song of Solomon to me as a Vicar anytime.

This show's writing is stupendously ridiculous. None of the plots make one bit of sense or else they're so simplistic that there is absolutely no mystery involved. And the characters have no sense of propriety appropriate to their station or point in time.

Most recent egregious example: Sidney goes upstairs in the boarding house to "gather Theo's things," but instead segues into the lady of the house's underwear drawer. He suspects her of her husband's murder, which happened only hours before, but when she confronts him, he obligingly helps her unzip her dress and then sits with her drinking whiskey and smoking cigarettes in her bedroom. Behind closed doors. With people downstairs.

Don't even get me started on that wanton slut Margaret, who doesn't wear stockings and is overly familiar with her betters and a crude bitch to Mrs. M.

Yes R181. And when the car ran down the lady's husband - why didn't they find out who owned the car, or even check the steering wheel for fingerprints? Just ridiculous.

Cambridge in 1954 was more crime-ridden than Compton is today.

For those who are interested: I just read last week that an announcement had just been made to renew the show for a third season. It must have more popularity in England than this thread exhibits.

The love triangle is ridiculous. He and the old girlfriend could have been married, but she chose wealth and position over being a vicar's wife. SO go the fuck away, you dowdy bitch! Go fuck your husband, who truth be told, is hotter than Sidney, and let Sidney get on with his life.

But Sidney really needs to dump Margaret. Totally inappropriate. The housekeeper is correct.

A big problem with Amanda is that I have never seen this great connection between the two characters where you think, yes they really should be together. We have never seen any evidence they have this special bond. You can get by contrived love stories if there is some chemistry between the characters. Plus Amanda is not really that well fleshed out, especially this year. I thought his best match was the German lady in season 1. They seemed like they enjoyed each others company -- whereas Margaret just seems like a plot point and her sole purpose is to be an obstacle.

I don't see any chemistry or connection with Amanda either. I gather it was a theme in the books which they've carried over to the show, something to make Sidney seem tortured and angsty. I liked the German lady, too. I'm glad it's been renewed because it is a fun show, despite the implausible plot lines.

I may write a fanfiction where Sidney takes a holiday to Oxfordshire and ends up in a torrid love affair with DC Morse...

Worst period costuming on British film.

It's also the worst period body, but none of us are complaining about that.

Robson Green's sideburns are totally inappropriate for early 1950s Oxford.

It was weird that when Sidney was called to the house where the man had hanged himself, the stiff was still there but when he said should talk to the widow, he was told they were all asleep. Really? Your husband supposedly hanged himself in the stables but youve got to get your beauty rest? It was also inconsistent that the second wife was very angry and snippy about the attention put on her predecessor but later told the story how she owed the woman everything. Just not good writing.

We get it. Sidney smokes and drinks. They don't need to show him doing it every other scene.

So it's a happy ending that the gay curate is taking Sidney and Mrs. M out to dinner instead of his male friend? Got it.

Sidney's brows and lashes are so light that he sometimes looks albino-like. Im surprised they don't darken them a little.

James is looking even hotter this season. More than compensates for lack of tight script details.

I saw it in early episodes, R184. She "got" him--they were intimate in an emotional way. It seems like a very 50's type situation. She's got to have the riches, but now wants to have her cake and eat it too. Plus, Grantchester is a bit of a masochist so he pushes her husband, who ends up slugging him or physically threatening him. I think if she had married him, she would have regretted it. So what they both really wanted is to not have to grow up and make a decision.

Yeah, the fact that Sidney and Amanda always go off by themselves at events even though they know it upsets her husband to find them in intimate circumstances is just ridiculous. They're obviously baiting him.

I won't presume to say that a young, virile clergyman wouldn't have had premarital sex with a girlfriend back in that era even though, as Sidney said, it was proscribed by the church, but I do think it's safe to say he would not be going around with the town pump.

It's nice that they made a character gay, but the writers aren't good enough or brave enough to do anything with him except having him dither around as comic relief.

Geordie is really an asshole.

Hang the kid, already. He's hurt his own case by his behavior and it's all boring as a continuing plotline.

[quote]It's nice that they made a character gay, but the writers aren't good enough or brave enough to do anything with him except having him dither around as comic relief.

I don't know, Sidney clearly knows what up with him and doesn't care. It strikes me as way too progressive for a vicar of that era, but it's one of the things that keeps Sidney a character you like, given how annoying his dealings with women are.

Plus, he was encouraging Leonard to use the money he'd won at the track to take his boyfriend out. I got a smile out of that.

yes...............

I enjoyed the first season of Grantchester far more than the second season. There's only so much booze, cigarettes and chance meetings with his old flame that I can tolerate before boredom sets in,

I enjoyed the first season very much. The writing for the second season isn't quite as good, but it is still a good program. James Norton remains very good in his role.

I agree the first season was a lot better - the Amanda stuff was grating and the actual mysteries were not as good. Still the second season was still probably a lot better than a lot of other TV.

I am not sure why they seem so focused on the soap aspect with Amanda. She might be a character in the book, but I have read that she is actually a lot better character in the books and does not continue to be his love interest. She is more of an old friend who he can talk to - some undertones of an unexplored love - but it is more subtext and they have both moved on and know that time is past. He actually stays involved with Hildegard.

Season 2 out on DVD later this month

R201 I have mine preordered.

Very hot. Wish there were VPLS or he would present ginger balls.

What I don't get is why so many men lust after the weasly-faced Amanda. She's dull as dishwater, steals from stores, and wears clothes badly.

UK residents, what is Peckham like? (Where he has a house).

Not sure what the writers were thinking with the leaden Amanda plots. You wanted a rich guy, you married one, leave Sidney alone. And then everyone ends up with someone except the gay guy who could easily have "forgiven" the guy and had someone so he's all weepy and he doesn't have to be. Not an impressive season.

clergy fantasy with James

I find Shaun Evans, who stars in Endeavour, another PBS British crime series, to be even hotter than James. Season 3, Episode 2 is on tomorrow night.

Is Endeavor the young pre-Inspector Morse? My sister really likes that one and I have been meaning to check it out.

Yes. Think of Morse crossed with Mad Men.

I would like to be inside Shaun Evans, quite deeply.

Seems very likable. Maybe he should play Bond instead of old and fug Tom Hiddleston

Interesting idea of James as James Bond. I have read his name is on the list of possible replacements.

Glad there is going to be a season 3 of Grantchester

We all know that Tom Hiddleston is going to be the one to suck and fuck anyone he needs to to get to be James Bond. He's already doing it to the public with his totally legitimate relationship with Taylor Swift.

I just don't see Hiddleston as Bond. Sorry, but I don't see his appeal for the role.

I enjoyed Lady Chatterley's Lover yesterday.

I'm not saying I want him as Bond either, just that he's unappealingly desperate for the job. I'm sure he's practicing giving Barbara Broccoli the big O as I type.

I can't decide if he's hunky or sexy. I'm thinking hunky.

What's the difference, R218?

I thought TIIC had chosen Aidan Turner as Bond.

his plump lips are kinda purple. is he one of those gingers with a purple penis head?

I'm also happy there is going to be a third series of Grantchester.

[quote]What's the difference, [R218]

Hunky is being generically handsome. Sexy doesn't require a person to be generically handsome--or good-looking for that matter-- but the whole package makes them so. It's like the difference between a beautiful woman (supermodel) and a sexy woman (SJP).

At least IMO.

He is hot as hell. And nice VPLs

The 3rd season may be the last if he is picked to be new 007. His odds keep improving now that Hiddleston is out due to his romping with Taylor Swift. Good for James' chances to be Bond.

As much as I enjoy Grantchester, I think more than three season may be too much to hope for. If he stars as the next 007 then I won't complain.

I hope they find something else for him to do. I literally fall asleep during Grantchester.

He makes the show enjoyable. The only reason for this show is to give James more television exposure to help his career continue to grow.

hasa new series started?

He was interviewed yesterday to promote the new series. Seems slightly camp.

What is his new series?

[quote]What is his new series?

The new series of Grantchester starts on UK TV tonight.

Oh, so he's not in a new series?

[quote]Oh, so he's not in a new series?

He's not in a new serial, no; just a new series of Grantchester. I believe you say "season" in the US.

Yes, R234. A new season is what we call it. In either case, it means there'll be something to see. I hope it comes to the USA soon. And thanks for the clarification.

Season 3 of Grantchester comes out on DVD in mid-July so my guess is PBS will start airing it slightly before then.

Omg, this show is the worst. I don't care whether someone is goodlooking or not, I cannot sit through it.

No it's not. I enjoy a good period piece show, and this one has very good acting.

Well, he's uncut AND a redhead so you can guarantee he really smells funny down there.

I'm a dedicated PBS Drama and Mystery fan, and enjoy this program.

Mr. Norton is very easy on the eyes. :-)

So why are you watching r236 ?

Lust?

Because it came on after a show I watched, R243. So I watched part of it...but I had to turn it off.

I like James Norton, Robson Green and Al Weaver (Finch). I wish they hadn't stuck Norton with that dreadful woman who's pregnant by her husband. I can't see how she has had any positive impact on the series. Maybe she'll die in childbirth and Finch will raise her baby.

I forgot to watch it last night. Actually, I agree with r237. The writing is atrocious. Maybe the most boring storytelling in the English language.

I did not realize it was on last night either. It played earlier in the year the other two seasons. I loved the first season, but was fairly annoyed by the end of the second season largely due to the love interest. I liked the German lady from the first season much better. I figured they were sticking to the tiresome relationship because it was in the books, so I was surprised that this is actually a deviation from the books. I will probably at least watch the first couple of episodes, but I did lose a lot of interest in the show last year.

He's in the remake of Flatliners - trailer looks good but I suspect it will suck big fat ass. Also, he looks like me. I get people stopping me in the street telling me. That's all.

Well, lick your pole, R247.

Will James appear in the third season of Happy Valley?

The show is really falling apart now. Beside the fact that Amanda is a completely unconvincing heroine, as she looks like a hairy little weasel, the plotting has gone bad. This is supposed to be a mystery series but it seems to be turning into a soap opera -- will Geordie's wife find out about his affair, will his second in command betray him, with the poor little gay priest have to date, ugh, a woman.... tune in next week for, As Grantchester turns... sour...

Another series that had a great first season and wasn't meant for more.

I didn't like the second season much, either, R250. I don't think I watched all of it. It reminds me a lot of White Collar. The lead actor could hardly be hotter, but the storytelling in each is just so dull.

Did Amanda have a nose job or have I just gotten used to it?

Can't sit through Dr Blake mysteries either. I try. But I find myself reading on my phone and then it's over.

OK -- the Vicar having basically an open affair with a married woman with a baby is a bit of a stretch, but the cop not making out with his affair in his office, against a window by the door, so anyone walking by could see their not that obscured silhouettes was lazy writing.

The mysteries might be a little better than last year, but the Amanda story line was tiresome by about the second episode of season 1 and they are stretching it out three seasons. I don't think it helped that they did not show much chemistry at the beginning, so it did not really seem like he should have had all these lingering feelings when they both move on to new relationships. II don't know anyone who watches the show who likes the pairing, and it deviates from their relationship in the book, so I am not sure why they feel so committed to it.

The whole Amanda plot line is ridiculous -- she's an unattractive woman with almost no personality -- all we know about her is that she likes Sidney and she married badly. The burgeoning plot line where the gay priest has to date a woman is hackneyed -- it's hackneyed. And as R253 says, the cop making out against the window of his office is lazy writing. The whole thing has simply become an exercise in letting James Norton make cute faces at the camera.

I didn't start watching it until this season, mostly because the actor Robson Green has always given me the creeps. I'm picking up on the back story while watching but the big make out scene pressed against the office glass door, ugh. And the little wifey home with five kids and all he does is drop passive-aggressive comments about his home life? Are we supposed to like this character?

[quote] Are we supposed to like this character?

He has always had moments were he has been pretty unlikable, if anything they have softened him from season 1.

The Leonard Finch storyline is very poignant. The engagement photographer scene last episode was incredibly awkward (as in awesome).

The last episode of season 3 looks like a series finale instead of a season finale. It was a mix of humor and sadness. The cast was its best. I will miss this show if there is no season 4. Well, I will miss James Norton's finely understated performances and his absolutely beautiful face and body.

R258 I haven't heard one way or the other as to whether the series will continue. But they did have the last episode wrap up somewhat neatly, perhaps just in case that's it.

The fact that this was a series finale didn't even dawn on me. I just assumed it would be back but... Amanda seems to be gone for good, how's Mrs. M/C's new husband going to live in the vicarage? If that's the end, it's too bad but it really was great while it lasted.

Haven't watched it since the first season which I didn't like much.

Are James Norton and Robson Green still smoking in every scene? Ok, we get it, it's the 1950s and even priests smoked like fishes. Disgusting!

And they drink like chimneys!

James Norton is so hot

Ugh. I didn't think the romance worked but they finally broke it off for good and five minutes later Robson Green is joking about introducing him to a new girl. Plus his wife takes him back. Creep.

It has been written by the show's writer that there is serious doubt as to James returning to the series due to his other upcoming commitments.

Amanda seemed to be gone for good at the end of season 1. A lot of the season 1 finale was him finally coming to terms they were not meant to be and move on. Sadly that did not stick.

I have heard similar things that James might be the reason it might not return. The show got good ratings, but his schedule is pretty full.

I enjoyed the first season, but she show over did all of the forbidden romances, that I would not feel bad if that was it. Neither of the couples really had chemistry, so it is not like you really cared what was going to happen with them. Plus the Amanda thing had been going on for three years and had run its course two seasons ago, and Geordi's reconciliation with his wife did not really seem deserved. He has always been a jerk.

He was on the top 5 list to be the next Bond. As long as he loses the squint, can lower his voice a bit, and his Tupe 1 Diabetes is manageable during lots of action, I can see it. Less sleazy history than some of the other candidates (cough Idris Elba cough cough), a good age range for JB; he would have at least 10 years to ride that wave.

*Type*, not tupe.

Just started watching this.

Norton is very hot, incredible smile. Though every time I see him I keep hearing DLers hissing "Be careful! Brits don't age well!"

I was wondering if anyone else picked up a gay subtext between Sidney and Geordie?

They're way too into each other in that bromancey way that straight guys get where you think "a drink too many and a little privacy and it's 'Y Tu Mama, Tambien' all over again."

There's a flirtatiousness to their friendship that leads me there, the whole private jokes about backgammon and drinking too much and all that.

Anyone else pick up on that?

Season 4 is underway with new co-lead Tom Brittney as the new vicar Will Davenport. I consider it an upgrade.

Thanks for the heads up R270. I did not know there was a 4th season.

Big fan of the show and Norton. And Norton with his shirt off.

I also picked up on the flirtation between Geordie and Sidney and the sense that they could start making out at any moment and it wouldn't seem out of character

In their final scene together instead of shaking hands they Geordie takes Sidney's hand in his and they stare at each other with tears in their eyes.

Just wanted to respond to the people who thought season 3 was the final season and weren't aware there was a 4th season airing right now. Basically while series 3 was in production there was a great deal of uncertainty if there would be another series as it was known to producers that James Norton wanted to leave to pursue other projects *aka his star is on the rise and he didn't want to be tied to a tv show. A little trivia, in the UK actors typically do not sign multi-year contracts like in the US, rather they just sign on for one year at a time. This is why you see more turn over on British shows than on American ones. This changed somewhat after Dan Stevens left Downton Abbey and more productions are signing their leads to two or three year contracts which is what I'm guessing Norton had.

ITV was hesitant to cancel the show outright because it still was attracting good ratings I the decision was made to replace Sidney with another character and they must have offered Norton some serious cash to return for a few episodes.

Grantchester is much better than McMafia and I'm sure if he could shoot both he would - Russell Tovey was on BEING HUMAN and HIM and HER at the same time; Iain Glen with GAME OF THRONES and DELICIOUS and JACK TAYLOR. But the show, surprisingly, hasn't missed a step. I like the new guy.

The next season of Grantchester is scheduled to begin in the US on July 14. Endeavour starts June 16.

James is beautiful

James is free to sit on my face anytime he wants.

The new Rev on Grantchester is an ugly pog, he has beady eyes and no body and looks alot like the house homo at the Vicerage, really shitty casting

So what's the gossip on Norton? Gay and closeted professionally?

He's apparently dated more than one female co-stars and is currently dating Imogene Poots, whom he did a play with a couple years ago. While I would LOVE for him to be gay, I don't think he is. He's played gay/bi more than once, though, so there's that at least. He seems like a sweet, decent man, so here's hoping he's at least gay-friendly.

ITV has renewed Grantchester for a 5th series with no James Norton.

Check your local listings -- the most recent season of Grantchester starts on PBS tonight (July 14). I believe James Norton is in it for two episodes, then the new Dreamy McVicarson takes over.

Yes, James is gone after the second episode of season 4. But at least they had a story line as to why he's leaving. Many times shows just ignore the principal after they're gone, or make a lame passing reference to them. James Norton has a lot of charm, so we'll see if Tom Bittney can carry on as well.

[quote] Well, he's uncut AND a redhead so you can guarantee he really smells funny down there.

What makes you think he's uncut? Fan sites have mentioned he's cut and while that doesn't mean much, one of his grandparents IS Jewish, so who knows.

I only had a chance to watch Grantchester when I was laid up in a nursing home earlier this year. I found him quite fetching, and really liked the show itself.

u realize he is a total queen don't u......

A real stud replaced him, the brunette ...yowza!!!!! Not a queen

Why should I be offended if he's a queen? I am, too. It's a nice combination.

No queen cum allowed in me, only cumwads from butch fuks or it don't count.

When I see Norton on that Grantchester, I imagine him in a sling all messed up with a line of sloppy fuks bout to open his ass up good.

NICE PINK FUKHOLE IT IS TOO