James Norton addresses Grantchester return as he’s spotted on set of final series

James Norton addresses Grantchester return as he’s spotted on set of final series(Image: ITV)

After 11 series, ITV confirmed Grantchester would be coming to an end, six years after James Norton left his role of Sidney Chambers.

While James was replaced, fans have always hoped he would make a return and with filming for the final series underway, many were thrilled when the actor was snapped on set.

He could be seen talking to cast and crew, immediately sending rumours flying that the much-loved Sidney was back.

However, speaking to Reach Plc, James clarified those snaps and instead it was just a “social visit”.

He told us: “No, I went to visit Robson because it was a series 11. I wanted to just say hello because I knew that the show was going to finish.

James will be back on TV screens this week when he takes the role of Harold of Wessex

“I had a lunch with Daisy [Coulam], the writer, about a few weeks previous and she said, ‘I’m going down on Monday. You should come with me to say hello.’

“So that’s all I did, I went to say hello and of course, we got papped. But no, no, no, no. It was just a social visit.”

While fans may be disappointed he won’t be back on Grantchester, James will be back on TV screens this week when he takes the role of Harold of Wessex in King & Conqueror.

The BBC historical drama charts the events which lead up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and is executive produced by James.

Speaking about why he wanted to focus on this time, James shared: “Initially when Mike Johnson, the writer, brought this idea to us, it was seven years ago. We couldn’t believe no one had told this story before.

James Norton stars as Harold in the new BBC drama King and Conqueror(Image: BBC)

“Not only because it’s this massive event and underpins so much of our politics, and art and legal systems – the repercussions of that event, we still feel today – but also because when you delve beyond the the actual date and go back a bit you realise that there is this incredibly twisty, turny thriller ride between these two men and their families.”

He continued: “Mike Johnson’s stroke of genius was focusing not on either individual but actually their relationship and and and mining the fact – the truth – that they were friends.

“They they met at the Confessor’s coronation. William asked Harold to come to Normandy to fight against the Baron of Brittany. Harold swore to recognise William’s claim to be the rightful King of England over the relics, over the saints’ relics. So all of that is true.

“When you read it, you’re like, how on earth? This is such a brilliant story to find, with these two men friends turned adversaries on a battlefield and knowing that one of them had to die. So the first reaction was like ‘Wow this is such a brilliant story. Why has no one told this before?’”

James Norton stars as Harold Wessex and serves as executive producer

With the series about to premiere on the BBC, James said it’s “really humbling” to see how much goes into making a show of this size and now, seven years after first hearing about the idea, it’s “very scary”.

“I don’t think I’ve ever put so much time into one project in my life so the stakes are massively high and it will be it’s very scary to sort of release something which has taken so much time, blood, sweat, and tears,” he commented.

“But also I more proud of this than I have ever been proud of, you know, anything I’ve ever made. So I can’t wait to share it. Hopefully people will love it. And if they don’t, they can just lie to me.”

King and Conqueror airs Sunday 24 August on BBC One at 9pm.