Grace's John Simm says he's 'developed PTSD' after horror seaside trip for new series

Filming for the fifth season of Grace left John Simm with a bad memory after the actor had to swim underneath Brighton Pier in a suit for the show.

The actor, 54, reprises his role as the detective in the crime drama , kicking off the new series with a rare day off for Roy Grace. Filming for Roy's off-duty scenes, however, felt surprisingly unsettling for John.

“It was quite for me,” says, “I didn’t feel like Roy Grace because I wasn’t wearing the suit. I didn’t put it on for the first week of filming and it didn’t feel right.”

But there wasn’t much time to dwell on wardrobe choices - before long, Roy is thrown back into action when a bomb threat disrupts the game.

The tense scenes required the use of CGI but filming was still an intense experience for the cast and crew. “It was really high stakes,” John says, “It was tricky to film and a tough week for everyone.”

The action doesn’t let up, as Roy later finds himself in a harrowing rescue mission beneath , where he must save the kidnapped son of a wealthy businessman.

“That was a very challenging day,” John says, “I have from it. We were under the pier and the water was rising. We had to get it all done in one day, it was relentless.”

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Cleo Morey is the one struggling with grief as the fifth series of Grace begins. The pathology technician, played by , was pregnant with DS Roy Grace’s baby at the end of season four. But she starts the new series on leave, shattered after a miscarriage.

“She’s lost Roy’s baby,” Zoë, 43, says. “They’re having to deal with a devastating loss.” Grief isolates Cleo, pulling her away from the work that defines her. “Cleo’s work is so intrinsic to who she is as a person,” Zoë says. “With Roy returning to work, they’re processing their grief separately. She feels alone.”

But before Cleo and Roy can catch their breath, parenthood finds them in an unexpected way. Roy’s newly discovered son, Bruno – played by 14-year-old Finn Guegan – comes into their lives, forcing them to adjust to a future neither had planned for.

Finn, who also starred in the Hollywood film Here, made an immediate impression on set. “Within about five minutes, he was casually mentioning working with and ,” Zoë says.

The experienced cast had to step up to match Finn’s professionalism. “We’re often guilty of being silly on set,” Zoë admits. “But when you’re around a serious actor like Finn, you have to bring your A-game.”

Bruno’s arrival is a painful reminder of the past. His existence was revealed in season four’s shocking finale, when Roy finally learned what happened to .

Fans had been desperate for answers ever since her mysterious disappearance, bombarding Grace author Peter James with questions. Roy eventually found her, battered and broken, in a Munich hospital – only to lose her again when she took her own life.

Now, Sandy’s presence lingers in more ways than one. “Sandy is always going to be there in one form or another,” says Zoë, “She lives on through Bruno, and they have a duty to keep her memory alive. Even though she’s not physically there, she will always be
a part of their lives.”

And her secrets are far from buried. “We actually find out what she was involved in and the reality of her situation,” John teases. “It’s certainly not over – there’s a lot to unravel.”

The future looks bright for Grace as ITV has recently confirmed the show’s renewal for a sixth season. For John Simm, this marks a personal milestone. “It’s the longest I’ve ever stayed on a show,” he says, “I usually leave after two seasons, whether they like it or not! But this is different.” 

One of the key reasons he’s stayed? The ease of filming in Brighton, close to home. “I used to be away all the time, constantly abroad or in a different city,” he says, “Filming for Grace has let me stay put for once, which has been lovely.” 

Not only that, but the show has also given him a new appreciation for his home city. “We film everywhere, “ he says, “Over the last five years, I’ve had a crash course in Brighton. I know it better than ever.” 

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