Richie Campbell has once again graced our screens, igniting excitement among viewers as the beloved detective drama series Grace heats up, following its return to ITV earlier this month for its fifth installment. The 42-year-old North London native takes on the role of Detective Glenn Branson, starring alongside DS Roy Grace, portrayed by John Simm. Together, they delve into some of the most chilling crimes in the Brighton area as part of the fictional East Sussex Police.
Just a few weeks ago, the premiere of the fifth season was broadcast on ITV, with all four episodes simultaneously dropping on the streaming platform ITVX. The series' return was met with enthusiasm, quickly ascending to the top of the most-watched chart. Despite gaining massive recognition from his part in the detective series, Richie had already established himself as a prominent film star and actor well before he stepped into the shoes of Detective Branson.
Richie spoke highly of his relationship with co-star John Simm in an interview with Sussex Live. He shared insights into their dynamic beyond the set, saying: "John is a brilliant actor. He is very collaborative which is how I like to work. It's that element of being an ensemble and working through things together. I love all of that and we laughed all day long, but when it was time to focus and work we were on it - that goes for all the team. When we finished filming we felt like we wanted to do more, it was so good to do."
Richie's journey began at The Anna Scher Theatre School and progressed with A-Level drama studies. Furthering his ambitions, Richie earned a degree in Communication and Culture studies at university, which preceded his remarkable run in the West End, setting the stage for a successful transition to the silver screen. However, his parents were initially skeptical of his career choice, hoping for a more traditional path for him, especially given the substantial student debt he had incurred.
Nonetheless, they offered their support after he persuaded them by securing a six-month stint on a play called Slam Dunk immediately following his university tenure. In a poignant reflection shared with Theatre Weekly in 2019, Richie reminisced: "[The play] was going to pay me enough to be able to pay off my student loan, I knew that's what I wanted to do. My parents are from Guyana, so it was always drummed into us the importance of getting a good education and a secure job." He detailed: "But I went to them with good reasons for doing the play, I think the fact that I had gone to university, and now had a good justification for doing an acting job helped convince them."
Persuading his parents about starring in Slam Dunk proved pivotal for Richie's career. Following this breakthrough, he garnered attention playing Dominic Hardy in ITV's The Bill. He then departed the show for the role of Ndale Kayuni in Waterloo Road in 2005. His acting journey continued with roles in significant dramas such as DCI Banks, The Frankenstein Chronicles, and Liar. However, one of his most notable appearances was as Chris in the television series Top Boy, which ran from 2011 to 2019. Richie took his talents to the silver screen in 2009, landing the part of Tyrone, the main antagonist in the British comedy film Anuvahood.
Richie tends to maintain his privacy regarding his personal life, particularly concerning family and intimate relationships. During a press event for Grace, he divulged some interaction with fans, specifically mentioning their approach on the school run. He shared: "I think the beauty of it is that the audience feels like they're growing with you, and you're growing with them. So there's a real commonality." Providing a rare glimpse into his life away from the spotlight, he noted: "I always say, I go and do the school run, and there's mums constantly saying, 'Oh, when's Grace? Why did you do that? You're so messy. Why are you living with him?' They feel like they know your character, which is lovely."
The actor also shared his passion for fashion and music when not on set. He elucidated in the same conversation: "Listen, I'm a simple guy. I just need some music. I'm an R&B fan. As long as R&B is playing and I've got one or two movies, I'm all right." Grace will return to ITV1 on Sunday, April 27, 2025, for the next installment and is available to stream on ITVX.
In the series finale, Roy Grace receives a warning from Cassian Pewe about the Benchdale OCG (organised crime gang), setting the stage for further clashes in future episodes. The show has been renewed for a sixth series on ITV, with the announcement made in February 2025. Episode two of series 5 saw its numbers jump to over 5 million viewers, confirming its popularity among audiences. Based on past trends, series 6 can likely be expected to return in 2026.
