Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Cast: John Simm, Rakie Ayola, Alisha Bailey, Richie Campbell, Alexander Cobb, Tom Weston-Jones, Silas Carson, Matt Wakeford, Maggie O’Neill, Adrian Rawlins, Matt Stokoe, Charlie Suff, Rupert Holliday-Evans, Cian Binchy, Catherine Bailey, Tiana Khan, Brad Morrison, Laura Elphinstone, Amaka Okafor, Vinny Dhillon, Natasha Joseph, Tim Treloar, Rebecca Scroggs, Diarmaid Murtagh.
Dead Simple, life certainly isn’t; especially when there is money and power involved.
Based on the novels by Peter James, Grace is the latest detective offering by ITV to give insight to the viewers of how police investigations often need a maverick to take risks when it comes to closing a particularly distressing murder or a case that baffles the sense of order.
There will always be the question hanging in the air that wishes to understand why we perhaps have such a love affair with the detective drama, and the reason of why there are so many different series or one off films that deal with the subject at hand, and perhaps there is no definitive answer except that the British public in general seem to enjoy being entertained by the chance to outwit the criminal on screen, and wonder if they themselves could have had a career as a sleuth, a dogged detective with a shady past or interesting quirk that would have made them stand out against all the rest who dominate the television schedules.
There are detectives, and then there are the characters, and in the first outing on screen for Peter James’ Roy Grace, the latter is firmly where the audience finds the Brighton based policeman, played with absolute candour by the incomparable John Simm. Whilst Morse has the enigma of his name, Rebus his drinking and social habits, and Ms. Marple the façade of hiding behind her homely appearance, Roy Grace makes no bones about his use of mediums and making use of the answers they provide.
In the debut episode the viewer is left in no doubt of the intent of the detective, left to languish in the cold case department by his superior, Alison Vosper, left forever wondering what happened to his wife who disappeared one day and never returned, it is perhaps with fortune that the insidious Ashley Haynes soon crosses his path, and one the evillest of reason to murder are soon revealed.
The superb Alisha Bailey makes a dramatic entrance as Ashley Haynes, and it is this confrontation, the snake and the mongoose effect at play, that the viewer is shown what to expect as the series takes off. Whilst Roy Grace may be less fearsome, not so much hard-boiled when compared to other detectives on offer, he nevertheless has a bite and way of getting to the truth that gives you hope in the police force.
A perfect vehicle for John Simm, Grace is the new kid on a very old block, but one to take to immediately.
Ian D. Hall