Grantchester: PBS’s Perfect Whodunit Mystery

Recently, British mystery series, Grantcester premiered on PBS. The series is an intriguing mix of humor, plot twists and complex characters. But don’t expect mystery of the dark and grizzly sort. If you’re that type of mystery fan, look elsewhere. Otherwise, sit back, relax and enjoy what PBS’s Grantcester has to offer.

Not Your Typical Priest

This “Masterpiece Mystery” follows the life of Sidney Chambers (James Norton), an Anglican vicar who plays amateur sleuth in a quaint village called Grantchester. Chambers, through moments of sheer coincidence, becomes deeply involved in solving murder mysteries in his idyllic community. Not surprisingly, he finds success in his new found preoccupation since the villagers are far more willing to confide in him than the local inspector.   

As a man of the cloth though, Sidney Chambers is far from typical in many respects. For one, he’s awfully good-looking – the type that even in his religious garbs looks more like a 1950s icon than a vicar. He’s also a lover of booze, particularly whiskey and often breaks several commandments in his attempts to solve the crimes of his day.

Amanda Kendall (Morven Christie) and Sidney Chambers (James Norton) in Granchester. (Coutesy:kpbs.org)

Most intriguing of all is his love life. An undercurrent of this British mystery series is Chamber’s complicated relationship with Amanda (Morven Christie), the love of his life who due to her status as heiress is forced to choose a man that’s within her class instead of Chambers. As they flirt and interact throughout the series, it’s clear that both share a mutual love, but it’s a love that’s not meant to be, at least not in their 1950s world of prim-and-proper, often stifling ideals.

The Priest and His Unlikely Partner

Undoubtedly, Chambers is a complex character, with a past that is more harrowing that his church patrons would expect. But what makes PBS’s Grantcester even more fantastic is his unlikely relationship with Geordie Keating (Robson Green), the local detective.

Their relationship’s a bit shaky in the first episode, but soon enough they develop an obvious camaraderie. Though they are quite the opposite they make great partners, often bringing humor to the forefront as they interact with each other. Their relationship is undoubtedly improbable, but the enthusiasm and authentic power of their performance makes this pair worth watching.

Sidney Chambers partners with Inspector Keating (Robson Green) in Grantchester series. (digitalspy.co.uk)

In each episode, Chambers and his partner solve another murder, resulting in a show that’s much lighter than a series like Broadchurch. But what makes the series great is the fact that it’s not pretending to be anything other than what it is – a light whodunit drama series.

PBS’s Grantchester won’t appeal to everyone. But if you are a lover of tight and tidy mysteries (with handsome leads), Grantchester is the perfect show for you.