For fans of British detective dramas, Sunday evenings have taken on a new significance as ITV’s long-running hit series Grace returns for its sixth season. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Brighton, the show continues to blend gripping crime stories with the complex, often messy private lives of its main characters. Adapted from Peter James’s bestselling novels, Grace has become a mainstay of British television, drawing in audiences with its distinctive two-hour episodes and a cast of both familiar faces and intriguing guest stars.
The latest season, which premiered in April 2026, finds Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (John Simm) and his partner, Detective Inspector Glenn Branson (Richie Campbell), once again thrown into the heart of Brighton’s criminal underworld. But it’s not just the cases that keep viewers coming back—it’s the ongoing personal drama that refuses to stay in the background for long. As Zoë Tapper, who plays forensic pathologist Cleo Morey and Grace’s partner, puts it, “I do think they probably deserve a break, Roy and Cleo. They’ve been through a lot, haven’t they?” (as reported by inews.co.uk).
Indeed, the previous season ended on a particularly somber note. Roy, still haunted by the loss of his first wife Sandy, had begun to hope for a brighter future with Cleo. Their joy was short-lived, however, as Cleo’s pregnancy ended in heartbreak. Now, as the sixth series unfolds, both characters are attempting to move forward—throwing themselves into their work and planning a wedding. Yet, the specter of Sandy continues to loom large in Roy’s mind, while Cleo faces her own challenges, particularly in helping Roy’s son navigate difficulties at school. Tapper sighs, “I think so, yes, at least in the short term. But people don’t want to see a sweet and peaceful life on television drama, do they? They want tragedy and trauma.”
This blend of professional and personal turmoil is part of what has made Grace so compelling over its six-year run. Each episode is a self-contained mystery, introducing new criminals and fresh dangers, but the emotional through-lines—grief, love, resilience—keep the stakes high and the characters deeply human. According to inews.co.uk, even Queen Camilla is a fan, having visited the set and given what Tapper calls “the royal stamp of approval.”
Season six continues this tradition with a roster of guest stars that reads like a who’s who of British television. The second episode, titled “Capture You Dead,” features appearances from Peter De Jersey, best known for The Bill and Holby City; Robert Lonsdale from Chewing Gum and The Interceptor; Amir Wilson, who starred in HBO’s His Dark Materials; and Lucy Speed, a familiar face from EastEnders and The Bill. The episode also brings in Michelle Greenidge, Rachelle Diedericks, Dylan Corbett-Bader, and a host of others, ensuring that each new story feels fresh while maintaining the show’s signature style. As WalesOnline notes, the show’s ability to attract such a diverse and talented cast is a testament to its enduring appeal.
John Simm, the show’s leading man, is no stranger to the pressures of carrying a series. Known for his roles in Life on Mars, Mad Dogs, and Doctor Who, Simm brings a quiet intensity to Roy Grace—a man whose sharp detective skills are matched only by his emotional vulnerability. Richie Campbell, meanwhile, is recognized for his performances in Top Boy, Liar, and Wisting, providing the perfect foil as Branson. “John’s wonderful, such a brilliant lead. He’s incredibly smart and generous, and he knows his stuff. He always arrives on set very prepared,” Tapper says, reflecting on their working relationship.
For Tapper, joining Grace was a turning point. After a career that saw her in films alongside Joan Plowright and Anjelica Huston, as well as TV credits in Hotel Babylon, Agatha Christie’s Marple, and Grantchester, the opportunity to play Cleo Morey came at just the right time. “They’d already done a pilot episode which I wasn’t involved in,” she recalls. “I came on just after Covid, which was a relief, as I’d had significant time off by that stage, homeschooling my children, and all the joys of that. So to suddenly land Grace was wonderful. We’d no idea then that it would run and run, though.”
Despite her busy filming schedule, Tapper manages to juggle her acting career with family life. She commutes to Brighton for the show, balancing work with raising her two children, now aged 15 and 11, alongside her husband, fellow actor Oliver Dinsdale. But Tapper isn’t content to rest on her laurels. “Before going to drama school, I had wanted to study English at university. I always liked the idea of writing,” she shares. The pandemic gave her an opportunity to return to that passion, and she now has two TV dramas in development, one inspired by her family’s colorful history in Grimsby. “My great-great grandfather had a travelling theatre company there, and gambled all his money away, while my great aunt Sybil was a dancer for George Formby,” she says, her enthusiasm palpable.
It’s this drive to create, both on-screen and off, that keeps Tapper engaged. When asked if she’s written a part for herself in her new screenplays, she laughs, “Of course I have! As an actor, you always feel an element of powerlessness, always waiting for someone to give you a role, or to tell you whether you’re good enough for a particular part or not. And so there’s something very appealing in being able to write something for yourself. If I can create this, and make it happen – well, that’s the dream, isn’t it?”
As Grace continues to air on ITV1 at 9pm on Sundays and streams on ITVX, its blend of high-stakes crime and nuanced character drama shows no sign of losing steam. Each episode promises new mysteries to solve and more layers to uncover in the lives of its characters. With the show’s unique format—two-hour episodes packed with suspense—and a cast that keeps both newcomers and longtime fans invested, Grace remains one of British television’s must-see dramas.
For those tuning in, it’s clear: the allure of Brighton’s shadowy streets, the tangled relationships, and the ever-present search for justice are as compelling as ever. And as Roy Grace and Cleo Morey strive for a little peace amidst the chaos, viewers can’t help but root for them—even as they brace for the next twist.