ITV Grace's John Simm was 'worried' about major Sandy story resolution

John Simm has shared his initial reservations about resolving the gripping mystery of his character Roy 's missing wife Sandy in the crime drama. The detective's anguish over his wife's disappearance has been an anchor through the series, leaving Simm torn about bringing it to a close, reports .

The 54 year old star known for Life on Mars and Doctor Who told media, including Reach: "I was kind of torn with it really because I realise the audience, we can't string them along forever about the Sandy thing and it has been going on through the whole series."

Simm continued, expressing mixed feelings: "So, it had to reach a conclusion and they needed answers. But on the other hand, I really liked it."

He elaborated on the dilemma, stating that the uncertainty added a complex layer to his role: "It was a spectre hanging over his head that was his thing: he was the detective with the missing wife and he couldn't solve it."

He confessed his concern: "So, now that that's gone - that jeopardy in his life has gone, I was worried."

Yet, Simm praised author Peter James for ensuring Roy Grace remained embroiled in high stakes: "I was worried that that was going to be exposed a little bit but actually the mind of Peter James, there's plenty of jeopardy for Roy Grace. So, I needn't have been worried really."

Season four finally put an end to the long search with Grace discovering Sandy's fate.

In the dramatic twists of the latest Grace series, viewers were left reeling as Grace's blossoming romance with Cleo Morey (portrayed by Zoe Tapper) was abruptly disrupted by the return and subsequent tragic suicide of his wife Sandy, sending shockwaves through the storyline.

The compelling narrative of the most recent season unfolded as Grace and his partner Cleo looked after his and Sandy's son Bruno (played by Finn Guegan), dealing with family dynamics after Cleo's devastating baby loss that occurred off-screen between seasons four and five.

Tapper, aged 43, shed light on this poignant plot, stating: "I have a feeling Sandy is always going to be there in one form or another, and she's going to live on through Bruno and they can't ignore that because he's in a really traumatised state as well. He's lost his mother.

"They've got a duty to him and to keep her memory alive and to try and guide him through that.

"So, I think physically Sandy's not there but she's certainly going to have an ongoing consequence throughout their lives."

James, 76, the author behind the gripping tales, revealed his surprise at how the mystery surrounding Sandy had persisted over the years.

Initially planning for an early reveal, James kept readers guessing as his novels gained international acclaim, prolonging the enigma of Sandy's disappearance across the series.

Within the 14th book, fans received answers they craved regarding Sandy's fate, although even by the 20th novel, her presence continued to shadow Detective Grace as he navigated new challenges.

Simm also mentioned that Sandy's fate had a lasting impact, saying it "informed many, many episodes to come".

He elaborated: "When we find out what she was involved in, the reality of the situation she was in, that is certainly not over. There's a lot to unravel there."

Grace season 5 concludes on ITV tonight at 8pm