The wait is finally over as Grace, ITV’s hit crime drama based on Peter James’ bestselling novels, returns for its fifth season on April 6, 2025. This highly anticipated new season sees John Simm reprising his acclaimed role as DSU Roy Grace, now promoted to Detective Superintendent, as he tackles Brighton’s most complex and disturbing cases yet. With a stellar returning cast and intriguing new additions, Season 5 promises more of the show’s signature blend of meticulous police procedural work, psychological depth, and the atmospheric Sussex backdrop that has made it a Sunday night staple.
This season’s cases will test Grace and his team like never before, with investigations spanning from the shadowy world of underground fight clubs to high-society cover-ups. Alongside the gripping crimes, personal storylines deepen—Grace and Cleo face new challenges in their relationship, Branson considers a life-changing career move, and the team must adjust to Grace’s promotion while contending with ACC Pewe’s constant interference. With production values higher than ever and cases adapted from James’ most recent novels, Grace Season 5 is poised to be the most compelling installment yet.
Grace Season 5: Star Cast
1. John Simm as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace
John Simm delivers his most nuanced performance yet as Roy Grace, now navigating the complex political landscape of his promotion to Detective Superintendent while still leading major investigations. The acclaimed actor brings new layers to Grace this season, portraying the character’s struggle to balance administrative responsibilities with his instinctive, hands-on detective work. Simm spent months embedded with real senior detectives at Sussex Police to authentically capture the challenges of high-ranking police work, from managing team dynamics to facing media scrutiny during sensitive cases.
This season explores Grace’s most personal investigation to date—one that forces him to confront unresolved trauma about his first wife Sandy’s disappearance. Simm’s powerful performance shines in quiet moments of introspection as much as during intense interrogation scenes, with his evolving relationship with Cleo (Zoë Tapper) providing emotional counterpoints to the dark cases. The actor has hinted at a career-defining episode where Grace must choose between professional duty and personal justice, promising what may be his most compelling arc in the series’ history.
2. Richie Campbell as Detective Inspector Glenn Branson
Richie Campbell elevates Glenn Branson to new heights this season as Grace’s loyal partner faces a professional crossroads that tests their decades-long friendship. Campbell brings remarkable depth to Branson’s internal conflict as he considers a promotion that would separate him from Grace’s team, while simultaneously navigating impending fatherhood with wife Ari. The actor’s natural chemistry with Simm remains one of the show’s cornerstones, particularly in scenes where their characters must reconcile their brotherly bond with changing professional dynamics.
Campbell underwent extensive firearms and tactical training to prepare for Branson’s more action-oriented role this season, which includes leading a dangerous undercover operation in Brighton’s criminal underworld. His performance captures both Branson’s trademark humor and newfound gravitas as he mentors younger detectives, with a particularly powerful storyline involving a cold case that becomes unexpectedly personal. Campbell’s ability to balance tough detective work with domestic drama makes Branson one of the series’ most relatable characters.
3. Brad Morrison as Detective Constable Nick Nicholl
Brad Morrison continues Nick Nicholl’s compelling journey from eager rookie to confident investigator in what promises to be the character’s most transformative season yet. Morrison brings endearing authenticity to Nicholl’s growing pains as he takes on more responsibility, including a heartbreaking family liaison role that forces him to confront his own vulnerabilities. The actor’s preparation included shadowing real detectives through their daily routines, resulting in remarkably authentic portrayals of crime scene analysis and suspect interviews.
This season introduces a controversial romantic subplot for Nicholl that tests his professional boundaries and leads to one of the year’s most shocking twists. Morrison excels at showing Nicholl’s internal conflict between ambition and ethics, particularly in episodes where his personal life dangerously intersects with cases. His evolving dynamic with both Grace and Branson provides some of the season’s most touching moments, showcasing the tight-knit team’s familial bond.
4. Laura Elphinstone as Detective Sergeant Bella Moy
Laura Elphinstone delivers a career-best performance as the brilliant but socially awkward Bella Moy, who steps into the spotlight this season with her extraordinary forensic accounting skills. Elphinstone’s nuanced portrayal continues to earn praise from autism advocacy groups for its respectful representation, particularly in episodes where Bella’s unique perspective cracks seemingly unsolvable cases. The actress worked closely with financial crime experts to perfect Bella’s meticulous analytical processes, which feature prominently in a major money laundering investigation.
Season 5 explores surprising new dimensions of Bella’s character, including a tender romantic subplot with forensic tech Stephen Wolfe (Sule Rimi) that challenges her comfort zones. Elphinstone shines in scenes where Bella must navigate office politics and team dynamics, with her deadpan delivery providing much-needed levity during tense investigations. A standout episode centered on Bella’s codebreaking skills promises to be one of the season’s most satisfying installments.
5. Zoë Tapper as Cleo Morey
Zoë Tapper brings raw emotional power to Cleo Morey’s most challenging professional year yet as Brighton’s chief forensic pathologist. Tapper’s performance captures Cleo’s growing confidence in the morgue alongside her personal struggles, including a health scare that strains her relationship with Grace. The actress undertook extensive medical training to perform new types of autopsy procedures this season, with several graphic but crucial post-mortem scenes advancing major cases.
Cleo’s ethical dilemmas take center stage in a gripping storyline about suppressed autopsy results that could implicate powerful figures. Tapper’s chemistry with Simm remains electric, particularly in domestic scenes that show the couple navigating the pressures of their high-stakes careers. A heartbreaking subplot involving a misidentified body allows Tapper to showcase Cleo’s compassion and professional dedication in equal measure.
6. Sam Hoare as ACC Cassian Pewe
Sam Hoare revels in the delicious complexity of ACC Cassian Pewe, Grace’s bureaucratic nemesis who reveals surprising new dimensions this season. Hoare masterfully balances Pewe’s passive-aggressive management style with glimpses of unexpected vulnerability, particularly in episodes exploring his health struggles and professional insecurities. The actor studied real police commissioners to perfect Pewe’s political maneuvering during sensitive investigations and promotion boards.
A revelatory flashback episode traces Pewe’s rivalry with Grace to their early careers, adding poignant context to their ongoing power struggles. Hoare shines in scenes where Pewe’s icy facade cracks, especially during an unlikely temporary alliance with Grace in the season’s back half. His boardroom confrontations with the Chief Constable showcase the actor’s talent for conveying volumes through subtle glances and carefully measured speech.
7. Finn Guegan as Bruno
Finn Guegan makes a memorable debut as Bruno, the enigmatic enforcer at the heart of Grace’s most dangerous case this season. Guegan brings terrifying physical presence to the role, enhanced by three months of intensive MMA training for brutal fight sequences choreographed by the John Wick stunt team. His performance hints at Bruno’s traumatic past through subtle mannerisms and explosive outbursts.
The actor creates a fascinating antagonist in episodes exploring Brighton’s underground fight circuit, with his character’s childhood trauma revealed through poignant flashbacks. Guegan’s unsettling chemistry with Simm during interrogation scenes makes Bruno one of Grace’s most psychologically complex adversaries yet, blurring lines between villain and victim.
8. Sule Rimi as Stephen Wolfe
Sule Rimi returns as forensic specialist Stephen Wolfe, whose friendship with Bella Moy deepens into one of the season’s most touching relationships. Rimi brings quiet intensity to Wolfe’s scientific work, particularly in episodes where his DNA analysis breaks open cold cases. The actor reveals surprising new layers to Wolfe, including a military past that informs his meticulous approach to evidence.
Rimi’s natural chemistry with Laura Elphinstone creates heartwarming moments that balance the season’s darker themes. His character’s growing confidence outside the lab leads to unexpected heroics in the field, showcasing Rimi’s ability to handle both technical dialogue and physical action sequences with equal skill.
9. Madalina Bellariu Ion as Dren
Madalina Bellariu Ion delivers a haunting performance as Dren, a Romanian trafficking survivor whose testimony proves crucial to multiple cases. The actress brings profound vulnerability to scenes where Dren confronts her traumatic past, while showing remarkable resilience in helping Grace’s team. Ion’s multilingual performance adds authenticity to her character’s immigrant experience.
Her evolving dynamic with various team members provides some of the season’s most emotionally complex moments, particularly in episodes exploring institutional failures to protect vulnerable women. Ion worked with trauma specialists to ensure her portrayal remained respectful yet unflinching in its honesty.
10. Emily Swain as Head of Surgery
Emily Swain commands attention as the no-nonsense Head of Surgery who clashes with Cleo over controversial medical findings. Drawing on her real experience as an NHS surgeon, Swain brings chilling authenticity to scenes where institutional priorities conflict with medical ethics. Her character’s involvement in a high-level cover-up creates one of the season’s most tense professional standoffs.
Swain performs all her own close-up medical procedure shots with startling realism, adding visceral impact to the hospital-based storylines. Her icy demeanor gradually reveals cracks as the conspiracy unravels, showcasing the actress’s impressive range.
11. Oaklee Pendergast as Noel Ludlow
Oaklee Pendergast delivers a breakout performance as Noel Ludlow, the disappeared teen at the center of Grace’s most emotional cold case. The young actor brings heartbreaking authenticity to 90s-era flashback sequences showing Noel’s troubled home life. His physical resemblance to period photographs adds eerie realism to the investigation scenes.
Pendergast worked closely with missing persons charities to understand the impact of such cases on families. His haunting final scene, reconstructed from real unsolved disappearance accounts, leaves an indelible mark on both the characters and audience.
12. Nicola Wright as Angela
Nicola Wright brings legal authority to her role as Police Federation representative Angela during a pivotal misconduct tribunal storyline. The actress’s background in courtroom drama shines through in powerful interrogation scenes where she defends officers while uncovering uncomfortable truths.
Wright’s nuanced performance avoids easy villainy, instead showing Angela’s complex position between protecting members and ensuring accountability. Her climactic monologue about institutional failures stands as one of the season’s most powerful moments.
13. Caroline Gruber as Chief Constable
Caroline Gruber makes every moment count as the outgoing Chief Constable whose retirement decisions shape the season’s power dynamics. The actress studied real chief constables to perfect the character’s blend of political savvy and policing instincts.
Her limited but crucial appearances include a gripping two-hander scene with Simm where Grace’s future hangs in the balance. Gruber’s ability to convey authority while showing human vulnerability makes her character’s choices all the more impactful.
14. Victoria Bolt as Tribunal Chair
Victoria Bolt brings her real experience as a barrister to the role of Tribunal Chair overseeing a high-stakes misconduct case. Her razor-sharp legal precision elevates courtroom scenes into masterclasses of tension, particularly when ruling on controversial evidence.
Bolt’s steely demeanor gradually reveals compassion as the hearings uncover systemic issues, culminating in a verdict that reshapes the department’s future. Her performance adds crucial authenticity to the procedural elements.
15. Lisa Diveney as Hannah Belling
Lisa Diveney returns as investigative journalist Hannah Belling, whose exposé on police corruption creates headaches for Grace’s team. The actress captures Belling’s relentless pursuit of truth while showing the personal costs of such investigations.
Diveney’s confrontational interview scenes crackle with tension, particularly a dangerous encounter in Episode 8 that leads to shocking revelations. Her character’s ambiguous morality keeps viewers guessing about her ultimate motives until the final moments.
Case Files: What to Expect in Season 5
- A high-stakes investigation into an underground fight club with ties to Brighton’s elite
- Grace’s most personal case yet—one that forces him to confront unresolved trauma
- A chilling cold case involving missing children that tests the entire team
- Political tensions between Grace’s squad and ACC Pewe’s administration
- Surprising romantic developments for multiple characters
- Cleo facing ethical dilemmas at the morgue with life-or-death consequences
Don’t Miss the Premiere
With its perfect blend of complex mysteries, character development, and Sussex atmosphere, Grace Season 5 promises to be the show’s most ambitious outing yet. Catch the gripping return of Roy Grace and his team on ITV, Sunday April 6, 2025 at 8pm, and streaming on ITVX. Longtime fans and newcomers alike won’t want to miss these compelling new cases from Peter James’ dark imagination.
