{"id":353448,"date":"2026-03-29T09:08:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T09:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/353448\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T09:08:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T09:08:12","slug":"impressive-british-cop-drama-branded-superior-police-procedural-is-back-on-tv-tonight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/353448\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;Impressive&#8221; British cop drama branded &#8220;superior police procedural&#8221; is back on TV tonight"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Grace, the acclaimed police procedural starring John Simm and Richie Campbell, is back on television tonight. As ITV prepares to launch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a64475948\/grace-season-6-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a64475948\/grace-season-6-update\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"the sixth season of the cop drama\" data-node-id=\"3.2\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">the sixth season of the cop drama<\/a>, what does the future hold for Detectives Grace and Branson?<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a63850680\/john-simm-grace-season-6-renewed\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a63850680\/john-simm-grace-season-6-renewed\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The hugely-popular series\" data-node-id=\"9.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The hugely-popular series<\/a>, which adapts the work of novelist Peter James, returns tonight at 8pm on ITV1 with a feature-length two-hour instalment, the first of four parts in the eagerly-awaited season.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;The aftermath of ACC Cassian Pewe&#8217;s betrayal hangs heavily over East Sussex Police several months on as the team is in the midst of an anti-corruption enquiry,&#8221; reads the logline for the episode, which is titled &#8216;Left You Dead&#8217; (via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/programme\/b-744qc2\/grace-season-6\/?episode=b-a617hn#episodes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/programme\/b-744qc2\/grace-season-6\/?episode=b-a617hn#episodes\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"RadioTimes\" data-node-id=\"13.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">RadioTimes<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"richie campbell, john simm, grace season 6\" title=\"Richie Campbell, John Simm, Grace season 6 \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1996\" height=\"1122\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/43e2f1de-208c-4cae-96fd-2831b4890493.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sally Mais\/\/ITV<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2014 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV\" data-node-id=\"18.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2014 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;Roy wrestles with whether to trust Cassian&#8217;s intel about Sandy&#8217;s murder and the threat to Bruno&#8217;s life. Meanwhile, his team is plunged into a case filled with secrets after a Brighton property developer reports his wife missing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">In addition to Simm and Campbell, who portray DS Roy Grace and DS Glenn Branson respectively, the cast for the sixth season includes Laura Elphinstone, Brad Morrison, Juliette Motamed and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a64765178\/grantchester-rishi-nair-joins-grace-season-6\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a64765178\/grantchester-rishi-nair-joins-grace-season-6\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"guest star Rishi Nair\" data-node-id=\"26.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">guest star Rishi Nair<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">While all previous episodes have been based on James&#8217;s novels, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70812565\/john-simm-grace-season-6-story-shake-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70812565\/john-simm-grace-season-6-story-shake-up\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"one instalment in the sixth season will be an original story developed by the writers and producers\" data-node-id=\"31.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">one instalment in the sixth season will be an original story developed by the writers and producers<\/a>, with the subject matter being women&#8217;s safety at a university campus.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;It\u2019s a very sombre and important issue, and something that is, sadly, very relevant,&#8221; explained producer Phil Hunter. &#8220;There&#8217;s a body within the university where these people are coming out and calling out this kind of behaviour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"39\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;It gives the young women and the students in this storyline agency and a voice in it all, to the point where they become instrumental in catching the killer at the end of the day,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"richie campbell and john simm in grace, series 5\" title=\"Richie Campbell and John Simm in Grace, Series 5\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/richie-campbell-john-simm-grace-67f3bbb5c1372.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>ITV<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"44\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70872495\/jo-nesbo-detective-hole-netflix-chart\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70872495\/jo-nesbo-detective-hole-netflix-chart\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Netflix&#039;s &quot;shocking&quot; and &quot;gritty&quot; new detective drama branded a &quot;thrill ride&quot; jumps up UK top 10\" data-node-id=\"44.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Netflix&#8217;s &#8220;shocking&#8221; and &#8220;gritty&#8221; new detective drama branded a &#8220;thrill ride&#8221; jumps up UK top 10<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Since the police drama premiered in 2021, Grace has proven to be incredibly popular with viewers and critics, as evidenced by its impressive average user rating of 7.4\/10 on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt11639300\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt11639300\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"IMDb\" data-node-id=\"48.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">IMDb<\/a> (from 11,000 logs).<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"52\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;With Endeavour ending, and only Vera in the arsenal for grown up Sunday night drama, ITV may just have found their new long standing hit,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt11639300\/review\/rw6700905\/?ref_=tturv_5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt11639300\/review\/rw6700905\/?ref_=tturv_5\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"wrote one user\" data-node-id=\"52.5\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">wrote one user<\/a> as they called it &#8220;impressive&#8221;, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt11639300\/review\/rw8956465\/?ref_=tturv_9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt11639300\/review\/rw8956465\/?ref_=tturv_9\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"while another\" data-node-id=\"52.7\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">while another<\/a> called it a &#8220;superior police procedural&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"56\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Grace airs on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"61\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Harry Styles, is here! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livinglegendsharrystyles\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livinglegendsharrystyles\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Harry Styles in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"61.0.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buy Harry Styles in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-dynamic-svg=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/images\/logos\/lettermark.05d81be.svg?primary=%2523000\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"dynamic-svg-base\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" alt=\"Lettermark\" class=\"css-7mevzh ev8dhu50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Movies<\/a> and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. \u00a0His film tastes vary from blockbusters like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/mission-impossible\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mission: Impossible<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/john-wick\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">John Wick<\/a> to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.<br \/>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Grace, the acclaimed police procedural starring John Simm and Richie Campbell, is back on television tonight. As ITV&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":353449,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[147144,2115,186962,2117,156,2116,111,139,69,186961,437],"class_list":["post-353448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-61b08a3a-cce6-45db-8dfa-452d3a8f7d43","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-locale-gb","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-shorttitle-impressive-british-cop-drama-is-back-on-tv-tonight","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/353448","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=353448"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/353448\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/353449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=353448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=353448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=353448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}