Grantchester star Robson Green says he is returning for the eighth season of the ITV show because it makes him 'genuinely happy'.
The actor, 58, who has played DI Geordie Keating since the very first episode in 2014, revealed the role is 'meeting all his needs' as he enters the 'last third' of his life.
Robson was also excited to be reunited with friend and former Northern Lights co-star Mark Benton, 58, in upcoming episodes.
The long-running series follows its detective character and local priest Will Davenport, played by Tom Brittney who is about to leave the show, as they solve crimes in a sleepy 1950s town.
Robson said: 'As I'm in the last third of my life, I want to collaborate with people I enjoy working with and do projects that really make me happy and stimulate me creatively.'
Grantchester star Robson Green, 58, says he is returning for the eighth season of the ITV show because it makes him 'genuinely happy'
The actor, who has played DI Geordie Keating since the very first episode in 2014, revealed that the role is 'meeting all his needs' as he enters the 'last third' of his life.
'But at the end of the day I just really want to have fun doing the things I like. And Grantchester is meeting those needs.”
He continued, “I'm an executive producer, and in the beginning we knew we had something special and that would float the boat of audiences, but we never realized how popular it would turn out to be and how well it would play around the world would be received. world'.
Robson then spoke about Mark's role in the new series, saying the character of a retired police officer was originally female before being rewritten.
“We couldn't get the actresses we wanted, I said, 'Okay, let's imagine the agent is a man.'
“Do you know anyone who can play a police officer nearing retirement who is sympathetic and funny and who can bring pathos to a situation?” And I suggested Mark and they went for him.”
He gushed: 'He is the nicest, funniest man you will ever meet and he is an absolute pleasure to work with and brilliant at his craft. I loved him for years and years.”
The duo starred together in ITV's comedy Northern Lights and its follow-up City Lights, with Mark also appearing as a guest on Robson's BBC travel show Weekend Escapes.
In the latest Grantchester series, priest Will Davenport is the happiest he's ever been, but his world will be turned upside down by a terrible accident.
The long-running series follows Robson's detective character and local priest Will Davenport, played by Tom Brittney, who is about to leave the show, as they solve crimes in a sleepy 1950s town.
He was also thrilled to be reunited in the new series with friend and former Northern Lights co-star Mark Benton, 58 (pictured together in the 2007 series)
Robson said: 'As I'm in the last third of my life I want to collaborate with people I enjoy working with and do projects that really make me happy and stimulate me creatively'
He then spoke about Mark's role in the new series, saying the character was originally female before it was rewritten
Cast members were left in tears during Tom Brittney's final scenes in August as the actor said goodbye
Fans are wondering how the character will say goodbye to the village and whether he will leave with new wife Bonnie (Charlotte Ritchie)
Discussing his time on the show, Tom said: “I've had the most incredible time playing Will Davenport over the last five years. I got to solve crimes with my best friend, and work with the best cast and crew I could ever ask for.”
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Cast members were left in tears during Tom Brittney's final scenes in August as the actor said goodbye.
Discussing his time on the show, Tom said: “I've had the most incredible time playing Will Davenport over the last five years. I get to solve crimes with my best friend and work with the best cast and crew I could ever ask for.
“I'll miss it more than anything. But it's time for the baton to be passed, as it once was for me, and I'm so excited for Rishi to join the Grantchester family.”
Tom, 32, who took over from actor James Norton as vicar of the village of Grantchester in 2019, will be replaced by Hollyoaks star Rishi Nair, who will play Reverend Alphy Kotteram.
Rishi, who is best known for his role as Sami Maalik in Hollyoaks, said he was overwhelmed by the reception and support he received from everyone.
Grantchester airs on ITV1 and ITV, from Thursday 11 January 2024 at 9pm
Tom, 32, who took over from actor James Norton as vicar of Grantchester village in 2019, will be replaced by Hollyoaks star Rishi Nair (pictured)