Crime-solving vicar Sidney Chambers will be torn between his love for the clergy and his blossoming relationship with former flame Amanda when Grantchester returns for a third series.

Robson Green will also reprise his role as the second half of the investigative double-act, Geordie Keating.

Robson Green and James Norton in Grantchester
Robson Green and James Norton in Grantchester (ITV)

James Norton, who stole viewers’ hearts when he played doomed prince Andrei Bolkonsky in last year’s hit TV drama War and Peace, has played the vicar since the first series.

He previously told Good Morning Britain: “What is quite nice about the beginning of series three is that we find them four months on after the Christmas special and for the first time they are having fun and living life as a young couple in love should be, and the music has moved from jazz into rock and roll.

James Norton attending the House of Fraser BAFTA TV Awards 2016 (Ian West)
James Norton attending the House of Fraser BAFTA TV Awards 2016 (Ian West)

“They are truly star-crossed and what is wonderful is Daisy Coulam (the writer) has set this wonderful conflict of love vs duty.

“He can only be with her, because she is a divorced woman, if he leaves the church, so his love for God and love for her are at odds.

“There is a lot of big wrangling, as is often the way with Sidney, and you are not quite sure what you want him to choose.”

Morven Christie.
Morven Christie (Ian West/PA)

Actress Morven Christie, who plays his love interest, has said there is “nothing sexy” about kissing her co-star on set.

She said: “That always cracks me up – there is nothing at all sexy about doing a kiss in front of a camera, with 40 crew saying ‘can you tilt your head a bit’, or ‘your nose is getting a bit squashed’.”

“It is James Norton, but I know him too well, so…”

Grantchester returns to ITV tonight at 9pm.