Tessa Peake-Jones is set to reprise her role as Mrs Chapman in the new series of Grantchester, which returns on Wednesday evening (January 8). After a years break, the ITV detective drama is back with DI Geordie Keating (Robson Green) and Reverend Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) solving a series of murders.
Mrs Chapman is a beloved character in the popular show, with Tessa portraying her since its inception in 2014. In the seventh season which aired in April 2022, Mrs C left viewers worried when she received a shocking diagnosis but she recovered in time to see Will and Bonnie (Charlotte Ritchie) tie the knot, setting the stage for more drama in Grantchester.
Beyond the ITV crime series, London born Tessa, 67, is renowned for her role as Raquel Turner in Only Fools and Horses. She first appeared in the BBC sitcom during the iconic Dates episode, which aired on Christmas Day in 1988.
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Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images)Originally a stripper, Raquel and Del Boy Trotter ( David Jason ) reignited their romance after a chance encounter in Margate during The Jolly Boys' Outing a year later.
Despite striking it rich and then losing their fortune, the couple never married, but they did live happily ever after in Peckham with their son Damien. During her tenure on the BBC sitcom, Tessa was in a long-term relationship with Douglas Hodge, who even played her son in one episode of Only Fools, reports MyLondon.
Every Only Fools and Horses fan can recite the Heroes and Villains episode by heart. The iconic instalment kicks off with Rodney Trotter's (Nicholas Lyndhurst) bizarre dream, where his 'evil' nephew Damien is at the helm of the all-powerful Trotters Independent Traders, dominating the Western hemisphere.
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BBC)The scene in question unfolds in 2026, with an adult Damien declaring hostilities against China from the lofty heights of Trotters Towers, even going as far as to assert "war is good!".
Douglas Hodge, now 64, took on the villainous role of Damien Trotter in the beloved 1996 Christmas special, acting alongside his real-life partner Tessa, who portrayed his on-screen mum Raquel Turner.
The duo began their romance back in 1984 and have two kids together: Mollie, who arrived in 1991, and Charlie, who followed in 2000. However, despite nearly three decades together, the couple eventually parted ways in February 2013.
At that time, a representative for the pair announced: "I'm able to confirm that Tessa and Douglas separated in the autumn of last year by mutual and amicable agreement and they will continue to raise their two children jointly."
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Shutterstock)Post-breakup, Douglas found love with American wigmaker Amanda Miller and has carved out a career for himself in Hollywood, boasting roles in flicks like The Descent Part 2 (2009), Robin Hood (2010), Diana (2013), and portraying Alfred Pennyworth in the hit film Joker (2019).
He's also graced our screens in a number of other hit TV shows, including London's Burning (1988), Spooks (2005), Skins (2010), Outnumbered (2010) and Black Mirror (2017) - just to mention a few.
Most recently, Douglas portrays Reginald in the new movie We Live in Time alongside Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh.
Meanwhile, Tessa has appeared in many of the nation's favourite TV staples. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has built an impressive acting career spanning television, film, and stage.
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ITV)Beyond Only Fools and Horses, Tessa has demonstrated her talent and versatility as an actress through numerous notable television appearances including Holby City, Doctor Who, Doctors, The Bill, Pride and Prejudice, plus many more.
In 2019, Tessa showcased her musical talents by appearing on the ITV show All Star Musicals, where she sang Abba's Mamma Mia from the musical, which also showed off her remarkable talents.
She will be back at Mrs Chapman in Grantchester when the ITV series launches on Wednesday evening.
Grantchester season nine premieres on Wednesday, January 8, at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.
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