Trouble AHEAD
AL WEAVER on the latest challenging chapter for his fan-favourite character
GRANTCHESTER THURSDAY, 9PM, ITV1 DRAMA
Leonard Finch has faced his share of trials and tribulations since period drama Grantchester made its debut almost a decade ago. After his sexuality was made public, a spell in prison followed (being gay was illegal in 1950s Britain). Since then, the former curate has been busy rebuilding his life and is now at the helm of a halfway house to help people in need of second chances.
But as Series 8 continues, Leonard finds himself at the heart of this week’s investigation. We caught up with actor Al Weaver,
43, to find out more…
After resigning from the church in Season 6, Leonard is now running a halfway house. How’s he finding his current role?
Leonard feels he’s found his place in the world. He still wants to do his duty and be of service to others, but without that tag of religion.
He’s trying his best, but it is chaos! He and his partner Daniel [Oliver Dimsdale] need help, so they get a housekeeper, Martha, played by [Bad Girls star] Simone Lahbib.
We bet Sylvia Chapman, the formidable vicarage housekeeper, isn’t too happy!
Mrs C feels she should be helping out at the halfway house and tries to interfere in Leonard’s endeavours. But he doesn’t want her taking over. There’s soon a war between Martha and Mrs C over who is the best mother figure, who bakes best and who can be of more service to Leonard, to win his affections!
The halfway house is at the centre of episode four after a resident is found dead, and Leonard is soon under pressure to close it, isn’t he?
Yes, Leonard faces discrimination from some of their new neighbours who don’t like alcoholics and ex-cons moving in. But he’s a strong character and deals with it. He gets Reverend Will Davenport [Tom Brittney] around to try to improve the image of the halfway house when the neighbours complain. As Will steps in, though, he goes too far and they have a big falling-out!
This series also marks your directorial debut, as you were behind the lens for episode three. How did you find that?
It was a dream come true. I was going to ask last series, but I didn’t feel quite ready, and then watching Tom do it [Tom directed episode three of Season 7] was inspiring, because he’s very gung-ho and also a bit cavalier, like, ‘Well, what’s the worst that could happen?!’ Directing was one of the best, most fulfilling experiences I’ve had.
Did Tom give you any pointers?
When Tom directed us, every time he asked me to do something, I would say, ‘Denied!’, as a joke. And as soon as I gave him a direction during my episode, he shouted, ‘Denied!’ So I created a monster! I’m kidding, of course; they were all really lovely and supportive.
What reaction have you had to Leonard, particularly around his struggles in a time when homosexuality was illegal?
It has changed my life playing him. It’s made me a better person to think this guy, who faces such adversity, still wants to devote his life to helping others. Hopefully, those in a difficult situation can get some strength or inspiration from Leonard’s story. That’s what great television does.
Grantchester will have been on our screens for 10 years in October. Could you have predicted when it began that it would now be a global hit?
I was in my 30s when we started Grantchester, now I’m 43! It’s weird, because we felt when James Norton [who played the show’s original vicar, Sidney Chambers] left in Series 4, that was it. We always imagine each series might be the last one, and then we always come back. It makes me think we’re doing all right!