As ITV launched the fifth season of crime drama Grace on Sunday (April 6), viewers weren’t shy about voicing discontent.

John Simm reprised his role as DS Roy Grace, embroiled in a harrowing episode centred around a Brighton football stadium incident – a situation that demanded he race against the clock to thwart tragedies.

Despite the high stakes, fans were left dissatisfied, with several questioning the show’s realism and complaining about its narrative flow on social media platforms, reports the Mirror.

One disgruntled viewer vented on X, formerly Twitter: “#Grace This is stupid. Bring back #Vera.” While another struggled with the structure, tweeting: “This is all over the place switching from scene to scene #Grace.” (sic) 

The third said: “This episode is slowly driving me mad. Places I’ve never heard of meant to be in Brighton, people turning up looking suspicious who’ve not been in it before and worst….showing Brighton Royals like Brighton are only a league one club. #grace.” (sic)

Someone else commented: “#grace this is boring so far.” And another longing for the return of lighter entertainment: “ITV really need to start making comedy series again in the same vein as Cold Feet and the like. Lighthearted, life dramas. It’s just one bleak, grey police drama after the other.” (sic)

Others criticised the show’s complexity and script, saying: “There’s far too much convoluted information bombarded by rambling explanations by the old bill.” And for at least one viewer, it was enough to change the channel, as they admitted: “#Grace i’m done, turning over.” (sic) 

However, other viewers were excited for the show’s return, with one tweeting: “Good to see this episode of #Grace has picked up the pace again after the last series.” (sic) 

Another fan shared their enjoyment, writing: “Enjoying watching #Grace always a good Sunday evening crime drama with the excellent John Simm.” (sic) 

A third was quick to praise the gripping storyline, tweeting: “Already hooked football, bomb threat and Grace sat with his son #Grace.” (sic) 

Grace is a crime drama based on the books of Peter James, originally beginning back in 2021. The first two-hour episode landed on screens tonight and will be followed by three more instalments of the same length.

Series five takes inspiration from four books: Dead If You Don’t, Dead At First Sight, Need You Dead, and Find Them Dead.

Grace airs on ITV on Sundays at 8pm. All seasons are available to watch on ITVX.