Filming begins on Grantchester series 7

Filming begins on Series 7 of hit MASTERPIECE PBS and ITV series Grantchester

Tom Brittney steps behind the camera to direct episode

Filming has begun on the seventh season of hit MASTERPIECE PBS and ITV crime drama Grantchester, with Robson Green returning as DI Geordie Keating and Tom Brittney as Grantchester's Reverend Will Davenport.

This series is set in the long hot summer of 1959 and wedding season is in full swing in the Cambridgeshire village of Grantchester.

As the Reverend Will Davenport unites happy couples in holy matrimony, Detective Inspective Geordie Keating is busy as ever investigating a range of local murder cases. With a new decade just around the corner, the question of what the future holds is on everyone's minds, not least Will's, but before the 50s roll over into the swinging sixties there are some crimes to solve and some life-changing decisions to be made that might change life in Grantchester forever.

Tessa Peake-Jones returns as Mrs. Chapman, Al Weaver as Leonard Finch, Kacey Ainsworth as Cathy Keating, Oliver Dimsdale as Daniel Marlowe, Nick Brimble as Jack Chapman, Melissa Johns as Miss Scott and Bradley Hall as Larry Peters.

This series will feature a number of special guest appearances, including Charlotte Ritchie, Ellora Torchia, Emma Cunniffe, Janie Dee, Philip Whitchurch, Rowena King, Anna Wilson-Jones, Michael D. Xavier and many others.

And this season, Tom Brittney makes his Grantchester directing debut as he steps behind the camera to direct episode three of the show.

Tom Brittney says:

"I'm thrilled to be back on set with my Grantchester family and back in our happy place. I'm also absolutely over the moon to be given the opportunity to direct an episode this series, it's been a life ambition of mine and I can't wait for the audience to see it (and also I can finally order Robson about!)."

Robson Green, added:

"Great to be back in the world we all refer to as our 'HAPPY PLACE.' This new series is the best yet and is testament to the outstanding creative team that make this extraordinary, likeable, charming and entertaining tale what it is...Class!"

Executive Producer for Kudos, Emma Kingsman-Lloyd, says:

"We are delighted to be returning to our beloved Grantchester for another series. Last series was shot in winter and we're very pleased to once again be filming in what we hope will be a glorious summer. All the cast and crew are excited by Tom Brittney making his directorial debut - we know he will create a very entertaining episode."

MASTERPIECE Executive Producer-at-Large Rebecca Eaton, added:

"We can't wait to bring MASTERPIECE viewers back to Grantchester for a seventh season. Captivating storylines and characters you care about... this new season is filled with all the ingredients that have made the series a Mystery! fan favorite and special viewing experience." MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by GBH Boston.

The series will be executive produced for Kudos, part of Banijay UK, by Emma Kingsman-Lloyd (Deadwater Fell, Humans) writer and series creator Daisy Coulam (Deadwater Fell, Humans) and Robson Green. The Executive Producers for MASTERPIECE are Rebecca Eaton and Susanne Simpson at GBH Boston. Tim Whitby is joining the team as Producer while Tim Fywell returns after a two-series hiatus to direct episodes one and two. Drama Commissioner, Chloe Tucker, is looking after the commission of Grantchester from an ITV perspective.

Adapted from the Grantchester Mysteries novels by James Runcie, the series was developed for television by Daisy Coulam. The new series will be written by Daisy Coulam, Louise Ironside, Richard Cookson, Tumi Belo and John Jackson.

Grantchester is commissioned by PBS MASTERPIECE and PBS Distribution for US audiences and is one of ITV's most popular returning series. Banijay Rights will be responsible for international distribution.