It’s a busy week for returning scripted projects, as cameras roll on three recommissions.

Grace 5

Production gets underway this week in Brighton on the fifth series of Grace. John Simm plays the titular ‘tec in the ITV adaptation of Peter James’s novels, with Richie Campbell also returning as DS Glenn Branson. The 4 x 120’ episodes are written by Jess Williams, Guy Burt, Caroline Carver and Ed Whitmore. Kiaran Murray-Smith returns as series producer; Matthew Hamilton is co-producer.

The executive producers are Phil Hunter for Tall Story Pictures, and Andrew O’Connor and Paul Sandler for Vaudeville Productions, Kiaran Murray- Smith and Peter James.

The Cleaner 3

Production also gets underway this week on the third series of Greg Davies’ macabre anthology comedy drama, The Cleaner. Adapted from the German original Der Tatortreiniger, the series centres on Davies’ Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead, a government-certified cleaning technician, aka a crime-scene cleaner.

His grisly task of clearing up after murders brings him into contact with a variety of people; cameo appearances in the first two series have included Helena Bonham Carter and Stephanie Cole.

The 6 x 30’ run is produced by Studio Hamburg UK production for BBC One. The producer is Sam Ward; the executive producer is Vivien Muller-Rommel.

Call the Midwife 14

Long-running period drama Call the Midwife also enters production around now as cameras roll on Series 14. Set in London’s East End in the 1950s and 60s, the show follows a group of midwives and nuns as they tackle social, economic and cultural issues of the time.

Heidi Thomas created the series, based on the memoir by Jennifer Worth. Neal Street Productions makes the drama for BBC One. Series 14 was announced as part of a double re-commission, with a fifteenth run due to shoot in 2025.

Executive producer Pippa Harris said at the time of the commissioning news: “I’m delighted that the BBC has commissioned another two series of Call the Midwife, taking us into the early 70s. 15 series is a tremendous achievement and it’s a testament to the passion and dedication of our cast and crew, of whom I’m very proud.

“But the show wouldn’t be the phenomenal success it is without the formidable presence of our creator and writer Heidi Thomas. Her continued devotion to the characters and determination to tell the untold stories of women is truly inspiring. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us and our extremely loyal audience in the future!”

Image credits: Grace via ITV; The Cleaner via BBC/Studio Hamburg UK/Jonathan Browning; Call the Midwife via BBC.