The stars of The Night Caller and Hijack join forces ahead of the return of the popular ITV crime series

ITV's popular crime drama Grace is returning to our screens this autumn – and some exciting guest stars have joined the cast for season four.

In the series, based on the bestselling novels by author Peter James, John Simms plays Brighton detective Roy Grace, who, along with his sidekick DS Glenn Branson (Richie Campbell), investigates gruesome crimes across the city.

The Night CallerRobert Glenister will make his debut on the show in the opening episode, 'Dead Man's Time', which premieres on Sunday 1 September at 8pm on ITV and ITVX.

Robert plays the character Gavin Daly in the episode and although we don't know much about his character, we do know that DS Grace and DS Branson investigate a brutal robbery in the first part.

© ITV

The full synopsis reads: “A brutal robbery at a remote house in Brighton embroils Grace and Branson in a mysterious investigation when beautiful antiques worth thousands of pounds are stolen from the house. As Grace delves deeper into this mysterious crime, he uncovers a web of ancient grudges, a web that leads him down a dark and murderous trail through the world of Brighton's antique dealers. In a race against time, he must find out who is behind this robbery and provide Gavin Daly with the answers he has been desperately seeking for many years.”

Robert is not the only guest star in the series, which returns with four full-length episodes. Grant Burgin (Kidnapping, Coronation Street) also stars as Mark Drake, while Carolyn Pickles (Broadchurch) plays Aileen Daly.

© Sally Mais

As for the returning cast, fans can expect to see Zoë Tapper (Liar) reprises her role as Cleo Morey alongside Craig Parkinson (Exercise of duty) as DS Norman Potting, Laura Elphinstone (Chernobyl) as DS Bella Moy, Brad Morrison (dinosaur) as DC Nick Nicholl and Sam Hoare (The recording) as ACC Cassian Pewe.

The opening episode is followed by three more episodes: “Want You Dead,” “You Are Dead,” and “Love You Dead,” in which the detective duo investigate a new series of crimes, including the disturbing discovery of skeletal remains that leads to the team's most disturbing case yet.

Earlier this year, the series was renewed for a fifth season, which will include four more films: “Dead If You Don't,” “Dead at First Sight,” “Need You Dead,” and “Find Them Dead.”

© Sally Mais

Author James said of the exciting news: “When the first episode of Grace aired in 2021, it was a dream come true. I find it both encouraging and amazing that we are already on season five!

“The continued success of 'Grace' is a testament to the outstanding cast of John Simm and his crew and, just as importantly, to the fans who have loved and devoted their time to these characters both in the book and now on the screen.

© Sally Mais

“It is also a testament to how faithful ITV has remained to both the characters and the stories of the novels.”