The essential episodes of Grantchester

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Grantchester — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · October 6, 2014 · 1h

   Episode 18.3

   Detective drama set in a 1950s Cambridgeshire village, where local vicar Sidney Chambers (James Norton) develops a sideline in sleuthing - with the initially reluctant help of grumpy DI Geordie Keating (Robson Green). The cleric's first case finds him presiding over the funeral of a solicitor, who is believed to have taken his own life. However, the dead man's mistress has a different theory - and feeling unable to go to the police, she asks Sidney to examine it for her. He uncovers evidence that the suicide was staged, but while he's busy delving into the personal life of the victim, will the vicar miss his own big chance with Amanda Kendall (Morven Christie), the woman he secretly loves?

2. 02

   S01E02 · Season 1 peak · October 13, 2014 · 1h

   Episode 28.9

   Poor Sidney. His sister Jen bullies him into attending Amanda's engagement dinner - seeing the love of his life celebrate her betrothal to another man is the last thing the village vicar wants. He sinks a few too many drinks in a bid to make the evening more palatable, but it doesn't work - in fact, nobody at the event seems happy. Tensions rise between Amanda and Jen's old school friends, and then matters erupt when Jen's boyfriend Johnny (Ukweli Roach, Starlings) is accused of stealing Amanda's engagement ring. Later, the unfortunate chap is accused of murdering one of his fellow guests, and evidence at the scene of the crime seems to back up the theory. But Sidney isn't convinced - can he unmask the real killer?

3. 03

   S01E04 · Top rated · October 27, 2014 · 1h

   Episode 48.8

   Sidney is woken in the early hours by a fire in the village and, putting his life on the line, races to rescue Marion Taylor from the burning house, much to the relief of her husband Dominic. But there are questions surrounding the blaze - was it really an accident, and why was Marion so reluctant to leave? Normally Sidney would turn to Geordie to help solve a mystery like this, but he finds the detective is far from his usual self. When Dominic is then found stabbed to death, it's Geordie's junior, Atkins, who is sent to head up the case - and he's not exactly a fan of interfering vicars.

4. 04

   S02E04 · Top rated · March 23, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 48.9

   As the trial of local teen Gary Bell approaches, Sidney and Geordie find themselves at loggerheads regarding his guilt – not even building a go-kart together can get them to see eye to eye. Sidney's mind is taken off these matters when he finds the anxious Reggie Lawson [Paul Nicholls] at the graveside of his dead wife, Anna. Convinced that she still haunts his home and stable yards following her suicide he implores Sidney to come to his estate, Kingsbrook and perform an exorcism for him.Believing this to be a husband's desperate grief, Sidney goes with Reggie to investigate his claims. There he meets Reggie's new wife Kitty [Eliza Hope Bennett], their housekeeper Mrs. Elton [Jenny Ogilvie] and Anna's brother, Laszlo Herzl [Elliot Levey]. With Anna's signature perfume still hanging in the air, a painting falling from the wall of its own accord and a horse fatally kicking out after being spooked, Reggie's fears seem to have some foundation, although Kitty is quick to point out their coincidental nature. After offering prayers and council, Sidney leaves hoping that his words have given Reggie some solace. But that night, Geordie summons Sidney back to Kingsbrook: Reggie has hanged himself in the exact same spot as Anna died.Meanwhile, the Redmond's and Sidney's parishoners are unhappy when Sidney stands as a witness for the defence in Gary's case. Are his principles going to cost him his flock? With Sidney's sister Jen [Fiona Button] throwing a party in London, it's a chance for Sidney to escape and take Margaret out on his arm. But when Amanda shows up with Guy [Tom Austen], it's clear that his own feelings are still conflicted.At least investigating Reggie's death gives Sidney and Geordie a shared goal again. Why would Reggie take his life when his finest horse is set to triumph at the next race? And with an almost identical suicide to his late wife, why are some of the key details different? But is one shared case enough to get these best friends back on track - especially after Sidney takes the stand? Whatever the outcome of the trial - and the case - Sidney seems set on a course of action that threatens his friendship with Geordie...

5. 05

   S02E05 · Top rated · March 30, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 58.9

   Sidney is the only friend Gary Bell has left as he waits for news about whether he will be offered a reprieve. Sidney is determined that whatever his fate, he will stand by his side – even if certain members of the village object. Meanwhile, Geordie and Phil visit the hospital where Rita Jones [Tanya Franks] recovers from the latest beating dealt out by her violent husband Eddie [Matthew Jure]. But with her children needing a breadwinner, Rita refuses to press charges. Rita's eldest son lets the two detectives into the hovel they call a family home. When they discover some recently stolen goods, it appears they finally have all they need to collar Eddie. But the man doesn't go quietly, fighting with Phil and winding up Geordie as he's carted to the cells. The next morning, Geordie's wife Cathy calls on Sidney: Geordie didn't come home last night. And when Sidney arrives at the station he finds his friend with his knuckles bruised, and Eddie, dead on a stretcher.When DCI Benson questions Geordie's innocence, Sidney leaps to his friend's defence. But Geordie has been behaving strangely of late, and no one else can verify his whereabouts when Eddie was killed. At the vicarage, Leonard and Mrs Maguire are at each other's throats as an ill judged remark about Mrs Maguire's love life, and the accidental loss of some sentimental postcards leaves both feeling raw and misunderstood.As Gary Bell waits to discover his fate, Sidney seeks to avoid a further injustice taking place. But as he digs deeper he finds himself questioning precisely whether he really knows Geordie as well as he thought. Could Geordie have beaten Eddie to death? Will Sidney keep the faith in his friend? And will Gary avoid the hangman's noose?

6. 06

   S02E06 · Season 2 peak · April 6, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 69.3

   Sidney Chambers has given up. Following the difficult events of the past few weeks, he is drinking like never before, and even worse, seems to have entirely stopped caring about his responsibilities as a clergyman. With Mrs Maguire and Leonard both deeply worried about him, it is left to them to try and find a way to help their friend before it is too late. But with Geordie and Amanda seemingly unwilling to help, and with an attempt to remove Sidney from the vicarage seemingly gathering strength, things are not looking good.However, when old friend Reverend Sam Milburn returns to the parish, Sidney is thrown into even greater emotional turmoil. Claiming to be seeking forgiveness for his crimes, Sam's return leaves Sidney torn. Is Sam really here to seek forgiveness? And is it even within Sidney's gift to forgive him for crimes committed against others? Matters are complicated further when Harding and Agatha discover that Sam has returned to the village. With Harding making threats against his life, Sam flees. But when evidence of a struggle is later found, Sidney fears the worst may have happened – could Harding have murdered Sam?Meanwhile, as Leonard continues to wrestle with his feelings for Daniel, he also struggles to make sense of a life-changing proposal from the Archdeacon. And a visit from Mrs Maguire leads to Amanda having a heart to heart with Guy.With Sam missing, Sidney and Geordie are forced, once again, to investigate a crime together. However, when they uncover a dark secret about Sam, Sidney's fragile emotional state is pushed even further, putting even greater strain on the investigation. With tensions between the two of them at an all-time high, will they be able to put their differences to one side for long enough to stop a murder being committed?

7. 07

   S03E05 · Season 3 peak · May 21, 2017 · 1h

   Episode 58.4

   Having left his Grantchester life behind to do some soul searching, vicar Sidney Chambers finds himself heading toward a Romani travellers' camp in Lincolnshire.Having tracked down the culprit, Sidney tells himself he is there to retrieve Mrs Maguire's life savings from the man who stole them but it soon becomes apparent, Sidney is just running from his old life and has no idea what he is going to do.Seduced by the intoxicating, welcoming community he finds himself in Sidney begins to wonder if he'll ever return home. But murder is never far from Sidney's door and when one of the community is killed, Sidney the ‘outsider' is suspect number one.

8. 08

   S04E02 · Season 4 peak · January 18, 2019 · 1h

   Episode 28.7

   With Violet gone, Sidney loses himself in drink. He wakes on the vicarage couch after a seriously heavy drinking session. It transpires that he was the last person to see a young woman alive but Sidney struggles to remember her final words. Mrs C and Leonard worry about his behaviour but Sidney shrugs off their concern. On his own, his smile fades – he feels wretched, lost and badly misses Violet.

9. 09

   S05E03 · Season 5 peak · January 24, 2020 · 1h

   Episode 38.1

   After a bumpy start to their relationship, Will and journalist Ellie go on their first date with a trip to the ‘flicks'. But a scream from the projection booth cuts the romance short as they discover a brutal murder has taken place within the cinema.

10. 10

    S06E08 · Season 6 peak · October 22, 2021 · 1h

    Episode 88.7

    When a successful music producer is murdered, Geordie finds himself implicated in the investigation, and forced to consider whether his army buddy Johnny could be the killer.

11. 11

    S07E06 · Season 7 peak · April 15, 2022 · 1h

    Episode 68.5

    Another homeless man is found dead, clean-shaven and killed in the same manner as the previous victims. Geordie and Will realise that they may have sent the wrong person to prison, and the real killer may still be at large.

12. 12

    S08E06 · Season 8 peak · July 9, 2023 · 53m

    Episode 68.4

    Will has disappeared, but with Bonnie about to give birth, Geordie must find him and bring him to his senses before it is too late.

13. 13

    S09E08 · Season 9 peak · June 16, 2024 · 53m

    Episode 88.2

    When a man is found dead on the streets of Cambridge, Alphy and Geordie begin to unravel clues that leads them to a shocking revelation.

14. 14

    S10E03 · Season 10 peak · June 15, 2025 · 53m

    Episode 38.5

    Alphy's attempts to cook a romantic dinner are interrupted when a familiar face arrives unannounced at the vicarage.

15. 15

    S11E01 · Season 11 peak · June 14, 2026 · 50m

    Episode 18.0

    Alphy's drive-in fundraiser turns deadly when sponsor Bert Mills is found murdered, and multiple suspects confess. As Alphy faces painful truths about his mother and faith, Geordie grows jaded, Cathy clashes with Mrs. C at CeCe's, and Leonard searches for purpose. In Grantchester, dreams, doubts, and desires collide.