Craig Parkinson says Grace season 4 has “most disturbing finale” yet
Parkinson spoke exclusively with RadioTimes.com, and teased what fans can expect from the ITV drama's new season.
ITV detective drama Grace is returning for its fourth season next year, which will adapt the next four books in Peter James's series of novels.
Returning to the cast will of course be John Simm as the title character, while the likes of Richie Campbell, Zoë Tapper and Craig Parkinson will all also be back.
RadioTimes.com spoke exclusively with Parkinson about his new series Mrs Sidhu Investigates, which is another detective drama in which he plays DCI Burton, the long-suffering, unofficial partner of amateur sleuth Mrs Sidhu (Meera Syal).
When asked if he could tease anything about the new season of Grace, Parkinson said: "I can tell you that Grace is the antithesis of [Mrs] Sidhu [Investigates]. It’s the seedy, dark underbelly of Brighton and I would probably say this season of Grace takes it to its most disturbing finale. And that’s probably all I’m allowed to say on that."
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The season 4 finale will be based on James's book Love You Dead, which was first released in 2016. It will follow three other adaptations in season 4, which will pick up after season 3 ended on a major cliffhanger.
Asked whether it was difficult to transition between playing one detective, DCI Burton in Mrs Sidhu Investigates, and another, Norman Potting in Grace, Parkinson said: "Yeah, that took a bit of time, because in the final two episodes of Mrs Sidhu I was bouncing between Brighton and Berkshire.
"So to sort of switch badges took a bit of time. But once I was back with the Grace team, it was quite clear who was the rude, sexist, sarcastic detective, and who didn’t have time for anybody. Yeah, it was a lot of fun."
Parkinson also told RadioTimes.com how his Mrs Sidhu Investigates character, DCI Burton, differs from his other detective roles, including Grace's Norman Potting and Line of Duty's Matthew Cottan.
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He said: "There [were] so many layers with Burton - the fact that his personal life was so troubled, and he was at his lowest ebb, and what's he going to do to get out of it?
"It was something that I hadn't played before. And he wasn't a northern bent copper, which people just expect from me..."
Mrs Sidhu Investigates will continue on Drama at 8pm on Wednesday 18th October 2023. Grace season 3 is available to stream in full now on ITVX. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on.
You can purchase the Peter James Roy Grace books which will be adapted for season 4, Dead Man’s Time, Want You Dead, You Are Dead and Love You Dead on Amazon now.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
