WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Two of Marble Hall Murders. 

Actor Lesley Manville is known for being able to play a variety of characters, most of whom are quite different from her. But Susan Ryeland is the exception, as Lesley shares that this character is more like her than not. In this episode, Lesley talks about what it was like to put on Susan’s trademark leather jacket and take the wheel of her red sports car as she hunts for clues in Marble Hall Murders. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode One of Marble Hall Murders. 

Author, screenwriter, and executive producer Anthony Horowitz joins us to discuss the first episode of the final installment of the Susan Ryeland trilogy, Marble Hall Murders. In this episode, Anthony also shares his views on the appeal of murder mysteries, human nature, and how his past influences his work. 

This interview with lead actor Rishi Nair was recorded two weeks after the 11th and final season of Grantchester finished filming. In this episode, Rishi reflects on his time as Reverend Alphy Kottaram, and what this role has meant to him personally and professionally. To watch this special MASTERPIECE Studio interview on video, visit YouTube.com/masterpiecepbs and click on Podcasts.

WARNING: This episode contains significant spoilers for Grantchester Season 11.

If you haven’t yet watched the series finale of Grantchester, make sure you do before listening to this episode as we’re about to discuss some significant spoilers. The final episode of the final season of Grantchester begins with many of our beloved characters’ futures hanging in the balance, and many lingering questions. But perhaps the biggest question we’re all wondering at this point is, how will we get by without Grantchester? We’re joined by Daisy Coulam, Rishi Nair, Kacey Ainsworth, Tessa Peake-Jones, Bradley Hall, Melissa Johns, and Al Weaver to bid a fond farewell to this beloved mystery drama.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Seven of Grantchester Season 11.

Since Season 1 of Grantchester, actor Al Weaver has been combing down his hair, putting on a sweater vest, and transforming into the timid, yet kind and loving, Leonard Finch. In this conversation, Al talks about the early days of Grantchester, sharing car rides to the set with Mrs. C actor Tessa Peake-Jones, and how his character learned to live his truths and embrace his individuality over 11 seasons of Grantchester. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Six of Grantchester Season 11.

In several ways, actor Melissa Johns’ real life has paralleled her character’s, Jennifer Peters, née Miss Scott. Over the past few years, they’ve both shared significant life milestones. In fact, Melissa has yet to know her 30s without Miss Scott. In this episode, Melissa talks about how her character has made herself invaluable to the police station, as well as acting alongside Bradley Hall, Al Weaver, Robson Green, and finally, what Grantchester has meant to her.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Five of Grantchester Season 11.

Actor Bradley Hall’s Grantchester character Larry Peters continues to invest in himself, and it’s paying off. Not only is he married to the woman of his dreams, but he is now a Detective Sergeant. Like his character, Bradley has also continued to grow through his time on Grantchester, pitching the drive-in movie setting for Episode One and directing second unit photography for several episodes. In this conversation, Bradley discusses both his own and his character’s evolution through Grantchester.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Four of Grantchester Season 11.

In real life, actor Tessa Peake-Jones couldn’t be further from the dour and opinionated vicarage housekeeper Sylvia Chapman. Tessa is jolly, gentle, and loves to smile—but these differences are exactly why playing Mrs. C is such a joy for her. In this conversation, we talk with Tessa about the early days of Grantchester, what drives Mrs. C, and how her character has opened up through experience over the past 11 seasons.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Three of Grantchester Season 11.

Actor Kacey Ainsworth has been with Grantchester from the very beginning, first appearing on screen in Episode One. Since then, her character Cathy Keating has had quite the transformation, engineered through her own ingenuity and determination. In this conversation, Kacey discusses Cathy’s metamorphosis from homemaker to businesswoman, and how she navigates her personal and professional relationships. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode Two of Grantchester Season 11.

For the past two seasons of Grantchester, actor Rishi Nair has portrayed Reverend Alphy Kottaram through highs and lows, from the confrontational meeting with Geordie upon his arrival at the vicarage, to finally finding a place of belonging. But nothing compares to the roller coaster that is his new relationship with his birth mother, Mira. In this episode, Rishi takes us through Alphy’s latest trials, and how learning the truth about his past shakes him to his very core.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode One of Grantchester Season 11.

Grantchester head writer and executive producer Daisy Coulam has spent over a decade working on this beloved mystery drama creatively exploring murders, developing long life arcs for her characters, and navigating three vicar transitions, all while managing to deliver a sense of joy, belonging, and found family. Today, Daisy returns to the podcast to dissect the first episode of Season 11 — the beginning of the end of Grantchester.