Richie Campbell has made a triumphant return to television, captivating audiences as the hit detective drama series Grace heats up, following its much-anticipated revival on ITV earlier this month for its fifth installment. The 42-year-old North London native takes on the role of Detective Glenn Branson and stars alongside DS Roy Grace, portrayed by John Simm. Together, they delve into some of the most chilling crimes within their fictional patch of East Sussex.
The premiere of the show's fifth season was recently broadcast on ITV, with all four episodes simultaneously released on the streaming platform ITVX. The series quickly climbed to the top of the most-watched list, much to the delight of its fanbase. Although Richie is now widely recognized for his pivotal role in the crime series, he had already established himself as a prominent movie star and actor prior to stepping into the shoes of the astute detective.
In an interview with Sussex Live, Richie praised his fellow actor John Simm for his approach to acting, revealing the nature of their relationship off-screen when not engrossed in filming. He expressed: "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."
From a young age, Richie showed a natural affinity for the performing arts, suggesting that acting was simply in his blood. His early inclinations toward drama were nurtured at The Anna Scher Theatre, a community drama school, followed by A-level drama studies. Advancing his passion academically, Richie attended university and earned a degree in Communication and Culture studies. This academic foundation served as a stepping stone into a flourishing career on the West End stage, subsequently propelling him into the film industry.
While Richie was keen to pursue acting, his parents weren't initially supportive of this potentially precarious career path. However, after he secured a role in the six-month play Slam Dunk post-university – an opportunity that would enable him to pay off his student loan – they gave him their blessing. Richie's parents harbored conventional expectations, particularly because of the financial burden associated with his higher education. In a heart-to-heart with Theatre Weekly in 2019, Richie recalled: "[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 recounted: "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."
Richie Campbell's persuasive chat with his parents allowed him to dive into the role in Slam Dunk, which subsequently flung open the doors to his auspicious acting career. He shot to recognition on ITV's The Bill as Dominic Hardy, later stepping into the role of Ndale Kayuni on Waterloo Road in 2005. His talent saw him grace various noteworthy series such as DCI Banks, The Frankenstein Chronicles, and Liar, but it was his portrayal of Chris in the widely applauded Top Boy from 2011 to 2019 that cemented his standing in British drama. In terms of film, 2009 marked Richie's entrance onto the silver screen starring as the notorious town bully Tyrone in the British cult classic Anuvahood.
Away from the camera, Richie Campbell maintains a discreet lifestyle, particularly around family and relationships, leading to minimal public knowledge of his personal affairs. Nevertheless, at a press event for Grace, he shared a rare glimpse of his interaction with fans during the school run. He remarked: "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." Shedding some light on his life away from the set, he continued: "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."
Outside of his acting career, the actor confessed to having a passion for fashion and music. In the interview, he elaborated: "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 airs on ITV1 on Sundays from 8 PM and can be streamed via ITVX.
As the fifth season of Grace concludes on April 27, 2025, fans are left wondering about the future of the series. Based on the best-selling novels by author Peter James, the ITV drama has adapted many of the books for the small screen. The final episode promises a heart-stopping installment, with both Roy Grace and Glenn Branson finding their personal and professional lives colliding.
In a recent update, it has been confirmed that Grace has been renewed for a sixth season, with work already underway. Lead star John Simm expressed his excitement, saying, "We’re about to start filming season six and I always jump ship after two series of any show! But everyone on Grace has become like family to me. I’ve done other jobs since we started, but each time coming back to Grace feels like being back home, because everyone is so familiar."
Simm teased fans about what they can expect next, stating: "This series ends on a bit of a cliffhanger too – there’s a huge storyline that we will pick up in series six and the stakes get higher every season." Season six is expected to be released in 2026, but ITV has yet to confirm a premiere date. The upcoming season is likely to follow the same format as its predecessors, featuring another four two-hour films.
Reflecting on returning to the hit detective drama, Campbell previously told media: "I’m ready to put the suit back on." He elaborated on how he gets back into character: "It’s just John being next to me. Like as soon as he’s on my right-hand side." He humorously noted it was "problematic" when Simm was on his left during filming. Campbell added, "For me, it’s the suit. It’s interesting because if I wear a three-piece suit in my day-to-day, I don’t feel like Branson at all, but on set it definitely feels like it."
As the fifth season of Grace concludes, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this gripping series, which continues to captivate audiences with its thrilling narratives and compelling characters.
