The future of ITV drama Grace has been revealed before the fifth series has even hit screens as the show boss pays an emotional tribute to the cast and crew members. 

Recommissioned for a sixth instalment, the detective show is set to begin filming the next season this summer.

Grace follows Detective Superintendent Roy Grace as he tackles criminal cases in Brighton and is based on the best-selling novels by Peter James.

John Simm is set to return as Roy, Richie Campbell as DS Glenn Branson, Zoë Tapper as Cleo Morey, Laura Elphinstone as DS Bella Moy and Brad Morrison as DC Nick Nicholl.

The sixth series will feature four standalone two-hour films set in the seaside city of Brighton, following on from the fifth season, will air in the Spring.

Show bosses have praised both the crew and cast working on the new instalment, with executive producer Phil Hunter describing them as a ‘joy’ to work with.

ITV show Grace follows DS Glenn Branson, portrayed by Richie Campbell (left) and Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, played by John Simm (right) as they tackle criminal cases 

The sixth series will feature four standalone two-hour films set in the seaside city of Brighton , while the sixth season will air in the Spring

He said: ‘Having just delivered series five it’s fantastic to know we are coming back for a sixth series. The recommission is testament to the amazing work the cast and crew do. 

‘It’s such a joy to work with such a talented bunch and I’m thrilled we are back in Brighton filming four more episodes this summer.’

ITV boss Huw Kennair Jones also praised the ‘fantastic cast and crew’ and said: ‘It’s always exciting to return to Grace and the Brighton that Peter’s brilliant stories evoke. 

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‘That, coupled with the fantastic cast and crew who bring it all to life with such expertise means we’re in for another great series for the ITV and ITVX audience.’

Author Peter James spoke highly of the brilliant cast’ and production team. His novels sold over 21million copies and series five is based on ᴅᴇᴀᴅ If You Don’t, ᴅᴇᴀᴅ At First, Need You ᴅᴇᴀᴅ and Find Them ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. 

He said: ‘I have been blessed with the most brilliant cast an author could wish for, and the most communicative and creative production team. 

‘I’m inundated, daily, with emails from the public both in the UK and around the world telling me how much the series is loved, and that is a true testament to the sheer quality of the episodes.

‘I hope there will be many more series to come – they are the best adaptations of my work that I’ve ever experienced. Working with ITV and all involved is a total and ongoing joy.’

Last year, fans blasted ITV for making an episode of Grace ‘way too gruesome’ and claimed that the thriller should not be allowed to air before 9pm.

Zoë Tapper as Cleo Morey, left, is set to return as well as Laura Elphinstone as DS Bella Moy and Brad Morrison as DC Nick Nicholl

Show bosses have praised both the crew and cast working on the new instalment, with executive producer Phil Hunter describing them as a ‘joy’ to work with

The episode saw DS Grace and the team investigating the disappearance of young girl Logan Somerville. 

Grace and Branson were thrown into an intense case when workers digging up a path in Brighton unearthed a discovery of skeletal remains.

Meanwhile, across the city, Logan was taken in the middle of the day.

With no witnesses and no sign of who took her, DS Grace started to suspect whether the victim’s fiancé could be lying to the police.

As Logan was trapped in a dark coffin-like box, viewers flocked to social media to share their thoughts on the ‘terrifying’ scenes.

One viewer penned: ”I’m no prude, but this is a bit grim for the 8-9pm pre-watershed hour.’;

‘#Grace is petrifyyng (sic) tonight.’; ‘This is terrifying #Grace.’

All series of Grace are available to stream now on ITVX.