Renewed: Grantchester (but James Norton will sign off)

UK period crime drama Grantchester has been renewed for a fourth season, but they will include the final episodes for star James Norton as clergyman Sidney Chambers.

Casting of the new vicar to join Robson Green’s Detective Geordie Keating will be announced shortly.

Masterpiece Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton, at WGBH Boston, said: “It’s a bittersweet time for Grantchester fans, who will be cheering the return of the series but crushed to say goodbye to James. We want to assure them that the series they love will continue with brilliant new episodes and a captivating new vicar.”

Kudos Executive Producer Diederick Santer said: “I’m ecstatic that – with Masterpiece and ITV – we are returning to Grantchester with all our favourite characters. While I’m sad that these will be James Norton’s final episodes, we will make sure he goes out with a bang. We’ve got exciting plans for where the show is heading and the vicarage won’t be vacant for long.”

Production in June in London, Cambridge, and Grantchester. The series screens in Australia on ABC.