Grantchester Mrs Chapman star Tessa Peake-Jones’ life – from real age to ex who was Only Fools co-star

In the new series of Grantchester, which airs on January 8th, Tessa Peake-Jones will reprise her role as Mrs. Chapman. 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.

Tessa has been playing Mrs. Chapman since the show’s beginnings in 2014, and she has become a cherished character since. Mrs. C’s shock diagnosis caused her to be a shock in her seventh season, which aired in April 2022, but she recovered just in time to see Will and Bonnie (Charlotte Ritchie) tie the knot, setting the tone 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 made her first appearance on the BBC sitcom in 1988’s iconic Dates episode, which aired on Christmas Day.

After a chance encounter in Margate during The Jolly Boys’ Outing a year later, Raquel and Del Boy Trotter (David Jason) rekindled their romance.

The couple never married despite becoming wealthy and then losing their fortune, but they did, along with their son Damien, live happily ever after in Peckham. 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 fan of Heroes and Villains knows exactly what to say in the Heroes and Villains episode. 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.

A grownup Damien declares hostilities against China from the imposing Trotters Towers in the scene that follows in 2026, even going so far as to say “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.

A representative for the pair at the time stated that Tessa and Douglas separated in the middle of last year under a mutually respectful arrangement and will continue to raise their two children together.

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.

In addition to Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, Douglas most recently appears as Reginald in the newest film, We Live in Time.

Meanwhile, Tessa has appeared in many of the nation’s favourite TV staples. She attended the Central School of Speech and Drama and has a distinguished acting career that includes acting for television, movies, and stage.

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.

When the ITV series premieres on Wednesday evening, she will be back at Mrs. Chapman in Grantchester.

Grantchester season nine premieres on Wednesday, January 8, at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.

Source: Mirror