Grace | Interview with Richie Campbell (DS Glenn Branson)

You must be thrilled at the reaction to episode one?

Yes, we had our fingers crossed it would do well because we were so invested in the series, but you just never know what the reaction will be until it comes out. There was a lot of buzz about the show even when we were filming, because so many people have already read the books. John and I both kept telling people it might be a bit different to their perceptions and the TV show would be another version of the story, but it seemed like a lot of people really liked what we made, which was brilliant!

Why do you think the show struck such a chord with viewers?

I think the viewers liked the characters and seeing Brighton on screen, and it’s great that each story is like a standalone film. Also, Grace is slightly darker for a Sunday night show and I think that really worked, it felt really new for telly. I think there can be too many squeaky clean, nice shows on TV where you follow a formula, so you know what’s going to happen. Grace allows people to get drawn into a different type of story – it has slightly disturbing, unexpected elements that make people prick their ears up. I think it’s good to challenge people, I certainly like to be challenged when I watch drama.

How did it feel to get back together for series two?

It felt like a proper reunion, it was so nice, we’ve got such a great cast. First time round, everything was very new and a lot of us hadn’t worked for a while because of the pandemic. This time it just felt really comfortable and it flew by – I couldn’t believe it when we’d finished, I wanted to film more! I quickly got back into being Branson, and John and I feel very comfortable with each other, so hopefully that shows on screen. All the stories are so brilliant, I’m excited to see how people will react to them.

Branson is such a likeable guy – do you enjoy playing such a beloved character?

For me I find it harder to play a nice guy than a villain. Villains are quite easy, you have the objective and you know what you’re doing, but it’s harder to sustain a likeable character. Branson is definitely a nice guy, but there are nuances to him, which make him real and fun to play, and it’s what makes people like him, they can relate to him. There are so many layers to Branson and you’re going to see that even though he really loves his friend Roy, when his work life collides with his home life then something’s got to give. Complexities are lovely to play and that’s what I’m really enjoying – there are layers to be unpeeled and we haven’t necessarily got there yet, I’m looking forward to what’s to come.

He’s a really sincere character, which is so nice, and he genuinely cares: about his job, his family and his friend Roy. The reason he went into the police in the first place was because he wanted to do the right thing and make his kids proud. That passion can boil over a little bit though, which you’ll see in Looking Good Dead.

There’s trouble brewing in Branson’s marriage isn’t there?

Yes, there is a bit of friction at home, and he’s trying to keep it separate from work, but that’s where the friendship with Roy comes in – Roy knows his mate, and he sees the tension, so there are a lot of conversations between them about what is happening at home. Further down the line we’ll definitely see more of that, because it really seeps into his work life and becomes an issue.

Part of what drew me to the show is that as much as these guys are detectives, they’re real people too and we get to understand their mindset and where they’re coming from. I don’t think a lot of shows delve into the characters’ home lives and how they feel about stuff outside of work. You might get that with the lead character, but not necessarily the others, but we do that in Grace.

Will we see Branson and Grace’s friendship tested in any way?

It’s such a nice relationship, it’s rare you see guys on TV who genuinely care for each other, rather than being lads. Saying that, I think you’ll see a slightly different dynamic to them this series. They’re the same guys and they really love each other, but they are still separate people with their own personal perceptions, they’re not always going to agree. Their state of mind is slightly different after the events of Looking Good Dead, there is a bit of a bridge between them in terms of the way they think, which we haven’t seen yet.

How does Branson feel about Roy’s romance with Cleo?

He’s definitely supportive. He has seen his friend suffer, and tried to tell him it’s OK to move on. So when Cleo comes along, he can see how she affects Grace, and he finds it endearing. Obviously, he winds him up a bit about it, that’s his personality! But he’s also genuinely happy for him because he knows that it’s a part of his life that’s been missing for a long time, his wife Sandi has been gone for years. And so from Branson’s perspective, Roy has to move on. As much as it’s a hard thing to do, he really needs to and if Cleo is the girl who is going to help then he’s all for it.

How have you found playing a detective?

Some of the terminology was new to me, so I had to do some swotting up on that, but in a way, actors are detectives – we’re always going through the scripts looking for information. What’s so great about the show is that it really is a suspense thriller, so we’re figuring out the case at the same time as the audience, we’re their eyes and ears, trying to be one step ahead.

I really enjoy playing Branson, but I would be a terrible detective in real life, I haven’t got the patience. When I watch Grace with my family, my partner physically cringes because she says, “There’s no way you could be a police officer!” – she knows I’m an idiot!

How has your working relationship developed with John Simm?

I’d never worked with John before Grace, but even when we first started filming it just felt very natural. I knew that Grace and Branson’s relationship was so strong, so in my mind I was thinking, “Well, I don’t know what he’s like, but I’ll make it work!”. But we genuinely just hit it off and we approached the work in the same way, wanting to add layers and nuance to what we do, it’s been brilliant. It’s just got better and better as we’ve gone on and I think that really helps with the characters as well. We’re very comfortable with each other, we speak on the phone quite a bit.

Zoe Tapper and Craig Parkinson have joined the cast for this series, did you enjoy working with them?

They’re both great. I’ve worked with Zoe before, playing her husband on Liar, so it was hilarious that she came in and she’s now with John! But she’s brilliant. She’s nailed the character, she knows her very well. Just like Branson, Cleo isn’t there as a filler, she’s got genuine heart and soul. Craig is brilliant too as Norman. Norman is so old school in his mindset, and says some very inappropriate things, it can really mess up the dynamic with his colleagues, and it’s nice to play those ensemble moments.

Have you enjoyed filming in Brighton?

Yes! I’d only been there as a child, so I just had the pier in my mind and that was it. So I loved it, finding little backstreets and shops, like a tourist. It’s always great to film on location rather than in a studio, it’s a really good vibe and the locals seem to love the show, they can’t wait to see the new episodes.

How does it feel to know that Peter James is writing the new novels with you and John in mind?

After we wrapped filming, he sent me a lovely message just saying thank you and that he is writing with us in mind, which is crazy because I know that when people read books, everyone’s got their own perception of characters. It’s a really lovely honour.

I’ve always shied away from long-running jobs in all honesty, I always like to do a variety of things. But I got caught up in the characters Peter had created and I loved the fact that it didn’t seem like a typical procedural drama. If you’ve got time to invest in these characters, as well as the cases, you’ve just created a whole world that can carry on for a long time. As long as it’s juicy I think it’s brilliant, and I’m happy to stay for as long as it runs. It’s also exciting because we know the characters are going to grow. I really love the action scenes, so if Peter James is writing with us in mind, I’ll just keep running whenever I’m near him so he associates me with action. I might send him some notes over email!