ITV's Grace Star John Simm Confirms Return for Series 7 After Tense Cliffhanger
The popular ITV crime drama Grace will make a highly anticipated return next year, with star John Simm officially confirming his reprisal of the role of DS Roy Grace. This announcement comes directly after the unforgettable and tense season six finale, which left viewers with desperate questions and a gripping cliffhanger that sets the stage for more thrilling investigations.
Dramatic Finale Sets Stage for New Series
On Sunday, April 19, the sixth season of Grace concluded with a breathtaking and emotional episode. DS Roy Grace, portrayed by John Simm, was preparing for his wedding day with Cleo, played by Zoe Tapper, seemingly heading towards a happy ending after cracking his latest case. However, the celebration was abruptly interrupted when Grace received recovered footage from a Munich hospital dated the day his wife Sandy passed away.
The videotape revealed a man identified as gang leader Albazi prowling the hospital corridors. Albazi had been tormenting Roy's son and DI Glenn Branson, portrayed by Richie Campbell, for digging too closely into the truth. Initially, it appeared Albazi had been apprehended, allowing Roy and Cleo to proceed with their wedding vows.
Yet, the pair soon discovered a shocking twist: one of Albazi's henchmen had secretly entered the UK, secured a position in catering, and was covertly working at their Brighton wedding. Branson and Grace sprang into action, but the situation escalated when they learned that Cleo had been kidnapped after fighting off the criminal to protect Bruno.
The episode concluded with a helpless Grace shouting "What do you want?" to Albazi over the phone, after watching his new wife gagging and screaming in her wedding dress. This intense cliffhanger clearly sets up a seventh series, leaving fans eagerly awaiting resolution.
ITV Officially Announces New Series and Details
Following the cliffhanger, ITV confirmed on Tuesday, April 21, that John Simm will return to his iconic role for a new series, alongside co-stars Richie Campbell and Zoë Tapper. The new season will feature four gripping, brand-new standalone films, based on characters from the best-selling Roy Grace novels by globally renowned author Peter James.
These new investigations will include the titles 'When You Are Dead' and 'Picture You Dead', with the remaining titles to be confirmed as the series develops. The announcement has generated significant excitement among fans, who are keen to see how the story unfolds after the dramatic events of the finale.
Cast and Crew Express Excitement for Future Episodes
As Grace is recommissioned for a new series, John Simm shared his enthusiasm about returning to the role. He explained, "Honestly, if someone had said we’d be doing this for seven seasons when we first started this in lockdown, I would never have believed it. But the reason I and many others have remained part of this series for so long is down to the team and the writing. It continues to excite and be such a joy for all, and we can’t wait to see what's coming next."
Phil Hunter, Executive Producer, also expressed optimism for the upcoming series. He stated, "Straight off the back of the success of series 6 on ITV and ITVX, I’m thrilled that we are back for a 7th series. Following Cleo’s kidnap, we pick up Grace and his team under more pressure than ever for what promises to be another propulsive and explosive run of episodes."
Hunter added, "I can’t wait to see our brilliant cast and crew rise to the challenge of shooting another four stories based on Peter James’ iconic characters." This sentiment highlights the collaborative effort and dedication behind the show's continued success.
Availability and Fan Anticipation
Grace is currently available to stream on ITVX, allowing viewers to catch up on previous seasons and relive the dramatic moments leading up to the cliffhanger. With the confirmation of a seventh series, anticipation is building for how the story will resolve the kidnapping plot and explore new cases based on Peter James' novels.
The combination of strong performances, compelling writing, and loyal fan support ensures that Grace remains a standout in the crime drama genre. As production gears up for the new episodes, audiences can look forward to more suspense, mystery, and character development in the upcoming series.
