10 Reasons We Appreciate 'Grantchester' Star Robson Green
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Grantchester returns to PBS Masterpiece this weekend, so we're taking a minute to salute its star Robson Green. He's a true veteran of British TV drama, and here are 10 reasons we appreciate him.
1. He made his name in the hit 1990s series Soldier Soldier.
Green starred in the first five seasons of this hugely popular ITV drama exploring life in the British military. During his time on the show, Green's co-stars included Dougray Scott, Paterson Joseph, and future Killing Eve favorite David Haig. The show's success even led Green into an unexpected side hustle, which we'll discuss below.
2. He put in a stint as a pop star.
Green's music career came about after he and Soldier Soldier co-star Jerome Flynn sang the classic song "Unchained Melody" on the show. It proved so popular with viewers that the two actors landed a record deal as the crooning duo Robson & Jerome. Both of their albums, which consisted entirely of cover versions, reached number one in the U.K. – as did all three of their singles ("Unchained Melody," "I Believe," and "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.")
But, don't expect a Robson & Jerome comeback any time soon. Green told Digital Spy in 2015: "The good thing with the music is we knew when to stop."
3. He starred in the 1990s crime drama Touching Evil.
Green co-starred opposite Nicola Walker (The Split) in this hit series following the U.K.'s Organised & Serial Crime Unit. Touching Evil was devised by future Shameless creator Paul Abbott and includes an episode written by Doctor Who's own Russell T Davies.
4. And that wasn't his only crime series.
From 2002 to 2008, Green starred in Wire in the Blood as Dr. Tony Hill, a clinical psychologist who uses his expertise to get inside the minds of serial killers. The longrunning series was shown on BBC America back in the day, and you can now watch every episode of Acorn TV.
5. He also popped up in BBC America's Being Human.
Green appeared in season four of the cult supernatural series as Anthony McNair, the werewolf father of Michael Socha's Tom McNair. You can check out his epic werewolf transformation scene below.
6. He's an avid fisherman.
Green has presented numerous factual series about fishing for U.K. network Channel 5, and he's lucky enough to live right next to the River Tyne in Northeast England. He told The Times of London: "In 2012, I moved to a 250-year-old ferryman’s cottage at a place called Watersmeet, where the North Tyne and the South Tyne converge. I can see the Cheviot Hills and the river is perfect for fishing."
7. He's a proud Geordie.
Green was born and raised in Hexham, a town on the south bank of the River Tyne. For this reason he can legitimately call himself a "Geordie," which is a nickname given to people from the Tyneside region of Northeast England. Green showcased the traditions, close-knit community, and beautiful scenery of his local area in the ITV factual series Tales from Northumberland with Robson Green.
8. He tells it like it is.
Green has admitted that he agreed to star in Ain't Misbehavin', a shortlived 1990s drama series that reunited him with Jerome Flynn, "purely for the money." He told The Guardian: "I was disappointed with myself and, inevitably, incredibly unhappy."
9. He's often been called a "sex symbol," but doesn't take this seriously.
Green distanced himself from this somewhat corny label during an interview with The Independent, saying: "What is a sex symbol? Aren't they people like Montgomery Clift and Rock Hudson? I don't see myself as that. But I do learn from those people. I watch James Stewart and see how focused his eyes are and how he always chooses the right moment to do something."
10. And finally, he's a stalwart of Granchester.
Green has starred in all seven seasons as DI Geordie Keating, a World War II veteran maintaining law and order in an English country village in the 1950s. His sleuthing partner for the first four seasons was James Norton's Reverend Sidney Chambers; then since 2020, he's partnered with Tom Brittney's Reverend Will Davenport. We can't wait to see them back in action this weekend.
Have we missed out one of your favorite Robson Green roles?