ITV Grace fans were left absolutely devastated as one of its stars announced their exit.
The fourth series is due to air on ITV in the coming weeks, and another follow-up is set to return in 2025.
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Four new episodes of Grace will air on the commercial network next year, but one star has confirmed that he will not be part of the next instalment.
Actor Craig Parkinson has played DS Norman Potting since the show's inception in 2021.
He has starred in all four series of the crime drama based on the Roy Grace novels of best-selling author, Peter James.
However, the former Line Of Duty star took to social media with an emotional announcement this week.
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He told his Instagram followers that he will be hanging up the detective badge after the forthcoming four episodes make their way to the airwaves.
Posting the trailer and various behind-the-scenes images, he wrote a long essay.
Craig, 48, explained: "Some#Gracenews… After a very happy few years I’ve made the decision to hand in Norman Potting’s detective badge.
"The new season of#Gracebegins on@itvon September 1st but it will also be my last.
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"It’s been a wonderful experience taking this character from page to screen & updating him for a new audience. There was a huge sense of responsibility in portraying such a character from@peterjamesukmuch-loved book series but with a few tweaks here and there from our excellent script team and the support from Peter, I’m really glad that he resonated with the audience."
The star paid tribute to his fellow co-stars including leading man, John Simm.
Grace season 2 trailer
Craig also thanked Richie Campbell, Brad Morrison, Zoe Tapper, and his 'partner', Laura Elphinstone.
He also paid tribute to the crew behind the cameras as he paid special attention to the various guest directors.
He added: "It’s been a wonderful journey playing Norman Potting, chasing around the streets of Brighton and dangling bad guys off Brighton Pier.
"I really hope you enjoy this season, it’s been a blast."
It’s been a wonderful experience taking this character from page to screen & updating him for a new audience.
Craig Parkinson on Instagram
Fans of the show were left absolutely devastated, as they flooded his post with comments.
One fan exclaimed: "Ohhhh, no! I will miss your character."
"That’s a bummer- you were my favorite on the show," stated a second user.
As a third posted: "Oh no way, you were the best! Exactly as I imagined Norman would be after reading the books, done a great job, will be sad to see you go."
While someone else stated: "Loved watching you in this series. Love watching you in anything! Hope to see you in something else, soon. Won’t be the same without you."
And a fifth viewer added: "I don’t think I can cope with whatever this series has in store for dear Norman."
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
- Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
- The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother's grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake's novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
- Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
- The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
- Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
"Massive thanks to everyone that’s watched, supported and also those that have said hello when we’ve been filming around Brighton & Hove.
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"New#Graceseason for you, last one for me. Really hope you enjoy xx."
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Grace willreturn to screens at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX on Spetember 1st.
