5 Things to Know About Grantchester’s Leading Men
Test your knowledge of the series’ leading men, James Norton and Robson Green, with this list of five must-knows. Who’s a closet daredevil? Who moonlights as a fashion model? Find out!
1. Robson Green’s Record-Breaking Past
Before he was Geordie on Grantchester, Robson Green was a secret pop music sensation! In 1995, Robson and his then co-star Jerome Flynn had to sing during an episode of their TV series Soldier Soldier, and soon the UK public was clamoring to buy the tune. After the pair released the song, it stayed at the top of the charts for seven weeks and became the best-selling single of 1995 (beating even Bon Jovi and Michael Jackson!). The surprising songsters adopted the moniker “Robson & Jerome” and found success with two additional number-one singles, and two number-one albums.
2. James Norton’s Haute Hobby
The actor is quite the trendsetter offset. In his spare time he’s been known to cultivate a small vintage clothing venture with his friend—and Wolf Hall actress—Charity Wakefield. But whether he’s sourcing for a project or just his closet, Norton told the Telegraph he makes sure to find a flea market wherever he is shooting. The actor’s passion for style has also bled into his professional work: He’s modeled for English fashion brand Smythson, Vogue, and Italy’s L’Uomo Vogue.
3. Robson’s Love at First Bite
When he’s not on the set of Grantchester, Robson has a surprising hobby: fishing! The actor has been a long-time angling enthusiast, and recently got to explore his passion on two namesake projects: Extreme Fishing with Robson Green and Robson Green’s Ultimate Catch. The shows take Robson around the world to fish the most exciting of species, including sharks, giant stingrays, piranhas, and more.
4. James and Sidney Chambers’ Surprising Connection
They share an alma mater. Although James Norton is no vicar himself, fans of Grantchester may be surprised to know that he and his character Sidney both studied religion extensively. Norton began his journey at age 11, when he attended a boarding school run by Benedictine monks. The actor later received a theology degree from the University of Cambridge—the same college his character attended.
5. James’ Special Shadow
Norton’s father, Hugh Norton, a retired teacher, has appeared in most of his son’s television projects—including Grantchester, War and Peace, Death Comes to Pemberley, and Lady Chatterley’s Lover. According to the Telegraph, Hugh Norton has become such a beloved presence on the Grantchester set that his nickname is “Papa Norton,” and in Lady Chatterley’s Lover he advanced from a mere extra to a speaking role. But even the most talented actor sometimes drops the ball—James told The Independent that while Hugh played a member of the Grantchester Season 2 congregation, his father embarrassingly fell asleep on camera.
