Yahoo News Why does James Norton keep making us cry?
It’s not because he’s reputedly dating War and Peace co-star Jessie Buckley, or because we’re old enough to be his mother.
After stealing into our living rooms two years ago as the psychopathic Tommy Lee Royce in Sally Wainwright’s acclaimed Happy Valley series, this phenomenal young actor has managed to nab the comfy spot on the sofa this year and looks like he won’t be shifted anytime soon.
Inhabiting three entirely different roles in as many months has not only brought him to the attention of the wider populace, it’s also put him in the frame for James Bond. And I’ve absolutely no doubt he’d have us in tears in that, too.
As Prince Andrei in the recent BBC Andrew Davies adaptation of War and Peace, we shed tears of frustration when he didn’t duck and avoid what proved to be a fatal injury. But when he appeared in Natasha’s dream, well, that was the moment when Niagara Falls materialised in my eye sockets.
You wouldn’t think we’d feel much empathy with Happy Valley’s Tommy, yet the emotional turbulence passing across his face as he digested the news of his mum’s death was cosmic in its expanse. Don’t get me started on the creepy smile of satisfaction on receipt of Ryan’s letter …
And now, in Grantchester, in what we thought was going to be a nice buddy, cosy crime drama - brilliantly adapted by Daisy Coulam - the crumpling of his face at the end of Episode 5 translated into drunken moroseness and loss of self in Episode 6.
“”He’s lost, and we’re all lost without him.”
He’d lost Gary, Amanda, his friend Sam (really, for the best), even the rock solid bromance with Geordie looked irreparable, until finally all was forgiven and a man hug shared. All was right with the world again.
Even Leonard grabbed his spot on the rollercoaster, with one brilliant fist pump moment: He flipped his lid and it was glorious, a one man Spotlight team, bringing down the Archdeacon. And then he was heartbroken, and we along with him, crying again at the loss of his love.
Then, in readiness for a major showdown in Series 3 (ITV has confirmed its commission) Amanda runs into Sidney’s arms, the grumpy hubby escaped. “I have nothing” she cried.
“You have me. You’ve always had me.”
Oh, Sidney *sniffs*. Why do my eyes always leak when I’m happy?
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