Grantchester

What a sedately hallowed location we have for this new period thriller: nestled among surrounding fi elds not far upriver of Cambridge, the ancient village of Grantchester (ITV, Monday, 9pm) can even boast giving its name to a necktie knot (a jauntily asymmetric variation on the norm). The series is adapted from the novels by James Runcie, in which the son of the late Archbishop of Canterbury gives us an Anglican counterpart to Father Brown.

It’s 1953, and a swooningly handsome young clergyman, Sidney Chambers (James Norton) whiles away the week writing sermons, fl irting with the lovely Amanda – though she’s promised to another – and solving murders. His partner in crime fi ghting is DI ‘Geordie’ Keating, played by Robson Green, here rescued from his exile fronting angling shows and back where he belongs, namely on ITV prime time.

In their fi rst case together, Sidney demands that the policeman takes another look at what appears to be an open-andshut suicide. That the victim was found with his brains blown out is all too apt, for the script is a little empty-headed and makes George Gently look like True Detective by comparison.

Let’s hope for cleverer plotting in the weeks to come, and more screen time for Green, who’s reliably good-humoured company, but in the opener is so underused he’s virtually relegated to a bit part. Still, it’s easy, adequate viewing and you never know: if things go right, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship for Sid and Geordie.

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THE KITCHEN, BBC2, Mon, 9pm
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