Grantchester season 8: Release date and latest news
Grantchester season 7 saw Reverend Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) find the love of his life.
Grantchester season 7 wrapped up with a delicious twist: the wedding of previously confirmed bachelor Reverend Will Davenport (Tom Brittney).
The motorcycling, crime-solving vicar found himself on the other side of the altar in the season finale, marrying Bonnie (Charlotte Ritchie), a widow and single mother who arrived in Grantchester to help out her aunt Cathy (Kacey Ainsworth) – meaning that, by the end of the season, Will could call DI Geordie Keating (Robson Green) his uncle-in-law.
But what awaits them in season 8? Read on for everything you need to know.
Grantchester season 8 release date: When will it air?
Season 8 arrives on ITV on Thursday 11th January at 9pm.
It premiered on PBS in the US on 9th July 2023.
Grantchester season 8 cast: Who's returning?
Brittney and Green are, of course, returning as central crime-solving duo Will and Geordie.
But in sad news, it's Brittney's penultimate outing as co-lead following his decision to leave Grantchester to focus on new projects.
Rishi Nair (Hollyoaks, Count Abdulla) will be stepping in to replace him as Alphy Kotteram, a charismatic new vicar.
Read more:
- Grantchester's Robson Green says cast change injects "new energy"
- Robson Green addresses Grantchester's future: "Long may it continue"
The following cast are also returning for season 8: Charlotte Ritchie as Bonnie, Tessa Peake-Jones as Mrs C, Al Weaver as Leonard Finch, Kacey Ainsworth as Cathy Keating, Oliver Dimsdale as Daniel Marlowe and Nick Brimble as Jack Chapman.
Guest stars include Shaun Dingwall (Top Boy), Jeff Rawle (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and Jemima Rooper (Gold Digger).
If you want more information on where Grantchester is filmed, find out here with our location guide.
Grantchester season 8 plot: What will happen?
The official synopsis for season 8 is as follows: "Will is the happiest he's ever been but his world will be rocked by a terrible accident. He's always preached the word of a compassionate God – but how can he now when his despair leads him on a dangerous downward spiral?"
Geordie has "found a new contentment in his relationship with Cathy, but when they are both confronted with shocking announcements at work, their happiness is threatened".
And as ever, "murder is always around the corner".
The logline continues: "The eighth season of Grantchester will range from Speedway to spies, exploring the lives of invisible women and the very visible problems caused by Leonard's new vocation, which may, once again, find him battling the law.
"Exploring faith, forgiveness, and redemption – this explosive series tests Will and Geordie to the limit."
Speaking about the challenges his character faces in season 8, Green said: "[Geordie faces] a defining moment when he realises his shelf life has expired. He's closed for business, he needs to move on and leave this place that he loves, and has given his life to, because he can't compete with Elliot and his entourage.
"Elliot's got people in his pocket who are far more powerful than Geordie. It's a very painful moment for Geordie and great to play as an actor. We'll have to see if he can find a way around it."
Grantchester season 8 trailer: When can I watch it?
Right now! We've popped the trailer below.
What happened at the end of Grantchester season 7?
At the end of the season, both DI Geordie Keating and Reverend Will Davenport managed to win over the loves of their lives, with Geordie reuniting with estranged wife Cathy, and Will rushing to the train station to meet Bonnie before she and her son boarded a train home.
Asking her to stay in Grantchester, Will declared his love for Bonnie, who responded with a kiss – before the episode fast-forwarded to their wedding, with Geordie (naturally) filling the role of Best Man.
"Car's outside. Engine's still running," he told Will, who responded that he wasn't going anywhere. "I didn't think so," Geordie said, smiling.
Following the wedding reception, Will and Geordie found themselves on the green overlooking Grantchester's church. "It'll be kids next," Geordie joked, before the pair threw their arms around each other.
Grantchester is available to watch on ITV and ITVX. You can order the Grantchester Mysteries books by James Runcie from Amazon.
Looking for something else to watch? Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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