Vicar-cop duo makes ‘Grantchester’ soar

By Lynn Elber

AP Television Writer

PASADENA, Calif.

The young vicar is eye candy. His crime-fighting partner, a police detective, is middle-age sexy.

As played by James Norton and Robson Green, the characters make PBS’ “Masterpiece” series “Grantchester” (airing 9 p.m. Sunday).

Norton’s Sidney Chambers is handsome, moody and passionate about God, jazz, whiskey and women and cracking cases in his English village of Grantchester.

Green’s Detective Geordie Keating, a tough lawman and dedicated family man, is adjusting to his unorthodox partnership with Chambers.

In an interview, Norton and Green bantered and traded compliments as they discussed male bonding and rough waters ahead for their characters.

Q. Chemistry is key in an on-screen romance. Also true with a buddy pairing?

Green: Yes. In series two, it’s all about fracturing the relationship, jeopardizing it. But the conflict all has to come out of, “I don’t want to lose you as a friend.” It comes out of a genuine affection and caring for one another.

Norton: But they never talk about it: “I love you, man.” It’s so fun to play with, two men who have such affection for one another, in the 1950s, but aren’t able to tell one another. ... It’s done through backgammon or beer or little gestures.

Q. How does “Grantches-ter” compare with others in the long line of British mystery series?

Green: Even though it rings of formulaic stuff that’s been on before, we haven’t seen this kind of relationship on British TV, where you really care about the two guys who are pursuing the criminals.

Norton: What sets us apart is there’s less of an emphasis on the plot and the whodunit side of it and much more emphasis upon the story lines and arcs.

Q. Does Sidney find love or does his former girlfriend still have his attention?

Norton: She will always have his attention. It’s a Ross and Rachel thing (he grimaces). Awful reference, but we just saw the “Friends” cast reunited (on a TV special). Everyone around them knows they (Sidney and Amanda) should be together, they know they should, but they can’t.