Filming Begins on 'Grace' Season 6, as U.S. Awaits Season 5 Premiere
John Simm and Richie Campbell in "Grace"
(Photo: ITV)
Crime drama Grace is one of the most successful procedurals that most American viewers probably haven't heard of. Based on author Peter James's sprawling series of novels, the under-the-radar workhorse has been steadily pulling in numbers for the U.K. network ITV, and has just gone into production on its sixth season. The series arrived in America by way of BritBox in 2024, and though its fifth season, which just concluded its U.K. run, hasn't made its way across the pond yet, here's hoping that this is the year it finally gets the mainstream attention it deserves.
The series stars John Simm (Doctor Who) as the troubled, unyielding DS Roy Grace, alongside Richie Campbell (Top Boy) as his partner, DS Glenn Branson. Season 6 will adapt four more books in James's long-running series of DS Roy Grace books, with titles to include Left You Dead, Picture You Dead, and One of Us Is Dead. (Interestingly, the fourth installment hasn't been announced with these three, but it feels fairly safe to assume it's Stop Them Dead, which sits chronologically in the middle of this batch.) If the show follows the books —which it largely has thus far— these mysteries will see Grace tackle cases involving a woman who disappears while buying cat litter, a priceless piece of long-lost art discovered at a car boot sale, and the return of a presumed-dead school chum.
Another fun and potentially intriguing fact: By the time Season 6 finishes filming, the series will have caught up to James's source material: The twenty-first book in the series, which is still untitled, won't be published until October 2025.
“This is the longest I’ve been involved in any show!" Simm said in a statement. "But it’s such a joy to do, and to be surrounded by a team like this for large chunks of the year makes it impossible to turn down. I’m really looking forward to seeing where Roy’s journey goes in this series.”
Other returning cast members for Season 6 include Laura Elphinstone (Chernobyl) as DS Bella Moy, Zoë Tapper (I, Jack Wright) as Cleo Morey and Brad Morrison (Outlander) as DC Nick Nicholl. Confirmed guest stars are Rishi Nair (Grantchester), Ali Khan (Cheap Eats), Gurjeet Singh (Hotel Portofino), Hannah McClean (Blue Lights), Tamla Kari (DI Ray), and Sara Powell (The Killing Kind).
The four episodes of Season 6 will be written by Guy Burt (Alex Rider), Caroline Carver (The Bay), Ed Whitmore (Silent Witness), and Ameir Brown (A Thousand Blows). The series is executive produced by Phil Hunter for Tall Story Pictures and Andrew O'Connor and Paul Sandler for Vaudeville Productions. Simm, James, and Kiaran Murray-Smith also executive produce.
“Grace is such a joy to make, so we are thrilled at how well received series five was," Hunter said. It’s great to be back in Brighton with our brilliant and talented cast and crew to shoot another four episodes this summer.”
Grace Season 5 recently concluded its U.K. run on ITV and ITVX, and will premiere at a still-to-be-determined date on BritBox in the U.S. Seasons 1-4 are currently streaming on BritBox.
