Robson Green spoke lovingly about his long-term Grantchester role as Geordie Keating in the ITV crime drama, touching on why he eagerly committed to every series.
Ahead of series 10's debut, Mr Green shared why he has been more than happy to reprise the character in each series since it started back in 2014, and why Grantchester is the only series that has seen him achieve the milestone.
The cast have now filmed the final series, which will air next year, but series 10 will land on screens tonight.
Reflecting on 11 years as Geordie, Mr Green said his enthusiasm for the scripts always remained, telling GB News and other media: "I go, 'Oh, I can't wait to see how Geordie is, where he's going to go on this journey in this new season.'
ITV Grantchester: The drama returns to screens tonight
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"I go, 'Great, I'm going to be working with a team of people who are at the top of their game.'
"And the fact that this has got to a 10th series is a testament to those incredible people in this incredibly creative team.
"I know when I start Grantchester that I'm going to have a good time. So that's the bottom line is I just want to get the call from Emma (Kingsman-Lloyd, one of the show's executive producers).
"I always get the call from Emma, and she says, 'We're going again', and you know, I've done a lot of drama series, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours of prime time drama, and I have to say, I've never done a 10th series of anything."
Reflecting on why he believes the drama has managed a decade on screens without him tiring of his character, Mr Green shared: "And one of the reasons that brings me back is I know I'm going to have a good time.
"There is not one negative energy in this drama, in this series. So I know I'm going to have a joy working with Kacey (Ainsworth) again. I'm going to have a joy working with Rishi (Nair) again, and just sitting down with Daisy (Coulam), the creator, and Emma.
"And then I go, 'Great, I'm putting my one suit on again and carrying the hat and going on a journey in the shadow of death, in the shadow of World War Two, and this in the shadow of the death penalty, in the shadow of abortion is illegal, homosexuality is illegal, job opportunities for women are limited, and these relationships in this likable community and gallery of characters are all going to be tested through crime, and I know I'm going to have a good time doing it."
The veteran actor went on: "It's just a joy to be part of something that is just so incredibly enjoyable, and working alongside people who are committed, who really love the show and look after the show, and as a consequence, the show has looked after us.
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ITV Grantchester: Robson Green starred alongside James Norton in the first series in 2014
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"So that's where the excitement comes from - the team I shall be working with.
"And hand on heart, I've never had that feeling with any other production in my 42-year career."
He also paid a sweet tribute to co-star Mr Nair, who joined series nine as Alphy Kottaram.
Mr Nair took over from Tom Brittney's character Will Davenport only recently, but he has formed a close friendship with Mr Green.
ITV Grantchester: Robson Green reflected on filming 11 series of the ITV favourite
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"Rishi has just spent the weekend with me up here in Newcastle.
"It was St James's Park, and our victory over Man City. And what an atmosphere, what a joy it was."
He added: "You know, working with Kacey as well, I just, I'm working with actors who...
"For me, there are two types of acting, there's convincing, and there's unconvincing. They hit their mark, and they tell their truth.
"And I just know when I'm working with Rishi, and we say this a lot when we're working together, we're doing the scene together, I'm really glad I'm doing this scene with you, because we always go back to the common ground of mates."