ITV crime drama Grace, adapted from the bestselling Roy Grace novels by Peter James, is returning for a brand new season of four feature length episodes.
After the series adapted the first Roy Grace novel Dead Simple last year, this season will pick up with the second through to the fifth, which are titled Looking Good Dead, Not Dead Enough, Dead Man’s Footsteps and Dead Tomorrow.
John Simm returns to lead the cast alongside Richie Campbell (Small Axe) and Rakie Ayola (Shetland), while new cast members include Zoë Tapper and Craig Parkinson.
Read on for everything you need to know about the cast and characters in Grace.
John Simm plays DS Roy Grace
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/03/grace_series_2_episode_1_07-05d7638.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Who is DS Roy Grace? Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is a methodical, “hard-working police officer who has given his life to the job”. Several years ago his wife went missing, and since then he appears to have adopted more unorthodox methods in his work, even consulting with a medium (otherwise known as a clairvoyant) in order to track down missing persons. At the start of the second season he’s on thin ice for his work on his previous case, and awaiting a verdict in that trial which could define his career.
Where have I seen John Simm before? Simm is probably best known for playing the Master in Doctor Who, and detective Sam Tyler in the acclaimed Life on Mars. Other projects have included Collateral (as David Mars), Strangers, Trauma, Cold Courage, and The Village alongside Maxine Peake.
Richie Campbell plays DS Glenn Branson
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/03/grace_series2_episode2_52-7e528a0.jpg?quality=90&resize=578%2C413" "\"\"")
Who is DS Glenn Branson? Roy Grace’s former protégée, he’s now a high-flying police detective with a stable home life. He worries about his old friend Grace and is no fan of his unorthodox methods.
Where have I seen Richie Campbell before? Campbell plays Chris in Top Boy, and Liam Sutcliffe in Liar. He also starred in BBC One anthology series Small Axe, playing Rothwell Kentish in the episode ‘Mangrove’.
Rakie Ayola plays ACC Alison Vosper
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/03/grace_series_2_episode_1_43-e85dd3c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Who is ACC Alison Vosper? Assistant Chief Constable Vosper has been putting out fires ever since DS Roy Grace publicly admitted that he used a medium to track down a missing person – and she’s about done with his unapologetic attitude.
Where have I seen Rakie Ayola before? The actress is known for Noughts + Crosses (as Prime Minister Opal Folami), Shetland (as Olivia Lennox), Brexit: The Uncivil War, The Pact, No Offence (as Nora), and Michaela Coel’s Netflix film Been So Long.
Craig Parkinson plays DS Norman Potting
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2022/04/grace_series_2_film_3_11-0ca76c5.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413" "\"\"")
Who is DS Norman Potting? DS Potting is an old school cop who joins the team when extra manpower is needed on the investigation. He is occasionally a little too blunt and sometimes politically incorrect, but is steady, dependable and gets results.
Where have I seen Craig Parkinson before? Parkinson is perhaps best known for his role as DI Matthew Cottan on Line of Duty, but also recently appeared on Doctor Who as the villainous Grand Serpent. He has also appeared in series such as Temple and The English Game.
Zoë Tapper plays Cleo Morey
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/03/grace_series2_episode2_37-0f8ddc5.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413" "\"\"")
Who is Cleo Morey? Cleo is Senior Anatomical Pathology Technician at Brighton’s mortuary, and a new love interest for Grace. She has a brilliant sense of humour, brims with confidence and is devoted to her work. She tries to give the dead victims who come through the mortuary halls back some of the dignity that was taken from them.
Where have I seen Zoë Tapper before? Tapper is best known for her roles in series such as Mr Selfridge and Liar. She also recently appeared in Netflix series The One and BBC’s Rules of the Game.
Laura Elphinstone plays DS Bella Moy
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/03/grace_dead_simple_47-e3c0411.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Who is DS Bella Moy? DS Moy is sharp, clever and has great instincts. She looks after her ailing mother but keeps her personal life very private.
Where have I seen Laura Elphinstone before? You’ll know her as Brandyce in Line of Duty, among various other roles in the likes of Military Wives, Des, Chernobyl (as Oksana), and Game of Thrones.
Adrian Rawlins plays Harry Frame
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/03/grace_dead_simple_23-61e906c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Who is Harry Frame? Harry is a medium and friend of Roy Grace who he has, in the past, consulted with on cases. This has caused Grace trouble with both the press and his higher-ups in the police.
Where have I seen Adrian Rawlins before? Harry Potter fans probably recognise him as James Potter, Harry’s dad, in the film franchise. He recently played William Cecil in A Discovery of Witches, and starred in Small Axe (as the Headmaster in “Education”), Trigonometry, Undergods, and Chernobyl.
Grace season 2 will premiere on ITV and ITV Hub on Sunday 24th April at 8pm. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide.
If you want to start reading Peter James’ Roy Grace series, you can purchase Looking Good Dead, Not Dead Enough, Dead Man’s Footsteps and Dead Tomorrow on Amazon now.
The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.