John Simm on playing the lead in upcoming ITV drama Grace

But his latest role brought him somewhere far more familiar to Argus readers - Brighton.

The 50-year-old will bring to life Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a complex character crafted by best-selling crime writer Peter James, in the eponymous new ITV series Grace.

Grace is a TV adaptation of the Sussex author's first novel in his 17-strong Roy Grace series, "Dead Simple", which follows the title character as he tries to track down a property developer who mysteriously went missing on his stag do, just days before his wedding.

ITV crime drama Grace, based on the novels of Peter James, was filmed in Brighton and locations across Sussex Credit: ITV/ Second Act Productions/ Vaudeville Productions/ Grace

But, still dealing with the disappearance of his wife six years before and carrying a reputation for using some unorthodox policing methods, Grace's search for answers is far from straightforward.

It cannot have been an easy task to put a face to this popular literary figure, but Simm relished the challenge.

He said: "It would have been crazy for me to turn down such a brilliant opportunity to play a lead for ITV in a best-selling detective series. It is just such a great part.

"I was doing Macbeth in Chichester when I got the call. My agent said, ‘Have you read these Peter James books?’. I had heard of them, but not read any.

"I immediately bought the first two novels and I couldn’t put them down, so I knew what a fantastic role it would be to play.

ITV crime drama Grace, based on the novels of Peter James, was filmed in Brighton and locations across Sussex Credit: ITV/ Second Act Productions/ Vaudeville Productions/ Grace

"I’m a voracious reader, but had never read a lot of crime fiction before. Once I started reading the Peter James’ novels I couldn’t stop, I’m currently on book ten. They are very clever and Peter is brilliant at what he does."

The vast majority of the filming for Grace was completed in Brighton last year, with the two piers both given starring rolls in the recently released trailer.

Simm heralded its beauty, but warned that viewers should be prepared to see another side of the city.

He said: "I knew Brighton fairly well before this because we’d visited many times. I’ve always loved Brighton and it was a lovely place to film. It’s a beautiful place, which we see in these films, but Peter James also shows us a dark underbelly in his novels."

• READ MORE: ITV confirm when first instalment of crime drama Grace will air

Peter James' novels see Detective Superintendent Roy Grace repeatedly deal with the fictitious criminal underworld of Brighton, and the author goes to painstaking lengths to make sure his plots are realistic and believable.

Researching previous books, he has looked into the growing phenomenon of romance fraud while also joining Sussex Police on shift for ride-alongs.

And his writing has earned him an important admirer - John Simm's father-in-law.

The actor said: "He was a policeman in the Met Police for thirty-odd years. He read the first few (Roy Grace novels) and was very complimentary about the procedural stuff that’s in there. He said it was rare for an author to get it absolutely bang on.

ITV crime drama Grace, based on the novels of Peter James, was filmed in Brighton and locations across Sussex Credit: ITV/ Second Act Productions/ Vaudeville Productions/ Grace

"I think Peter prides himself on that. He’s a very clever writer and they are an addictive series of books.

"Peter and I were going to meet up before the pandemic came along, and we have spoken a number of times and we email each other.

"If I had any questions or queries during filming I would fire off an email and he would come back immediately.

"It’s just such a shame we haven’t been able to meet in person yet, but I look forward to the day when we can."

The first Grace feature, "Dead Simple", is a 120-minute long production which will air on ITV at 8pm on Sunday, March 14, ITV confirmed this week.

A second Grace film, "Looking Good Dead", directed by Julia Ford (Sticks and Stones, The Bay II, Safe) will air on ITV later this year.