Grantchester's Tessa Peake-Jones' life - from real age to Only Fools co-star ex

Grantchester Season 9 trailer starring Tom Brittney and Robson Green

Tessa Peake-Jones is set to reprise her role as Mrs Chapman in the ninth series of Grantchester, which returns on Wednesday evening (January 8). It's been over a year since we last saw Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, played by Robson Green, and clergyman Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) solving perplexing crimes on ITV.

The 67-year-old actor has portrayed Mrs Chapman since the show's inception in 2014, and in April 2022 viewers saw the character receive a shock diagnosis but recovered in time to witness the marriage of Will and Bonnie (Charlotte Ritchie).

Now, Grantchester continues with an exciting new series and deeply-religious Mrs Chapman is sure to be caught-up in all of the drama.

Beyond the crime series, London born Tessa is renowned for her role as Raquel Turner in Only Fools and Horses.

She joined the BBC sitcom during the famous Dates episode, which aired on Christmas Day in 1988. Raquel, originally a stripper, reignited her romance with Del Boy Trotter (David Jason) after a chance encounter in Margate during The Jolly Boys' Outing a year later.

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Grantchester season 9 release date, cast, plot, trailer and more

David Jason and Tessa Peake-Jones as Del and Raquel in Only Fools and Horses (Image: Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images)

Although they found their fortune, and subsequently lost, Del and Raquel never married but lived happily ever after in Peckham, South London, with their son Damien.

During her tenure on the BBC sitcom, Tessa was in a long-term relationship with Douglas Hodge, who played her grown-up son for one episode of Only Fools, reports MyLondon.

Every true fan of the beloved sitcom Only Fools and Horses cherishes the memorable Heroes and Villains episode. Notably kicking off with Rodney Trotter's (Nicholas Lyndhurst) dystopian vision, viewers are transported to the year 2026.

Damien is grown-up and is head of Trotters Independent Traders wielding enough power to run the Western world from their base at Trotters Towers while brashly announcing, "war is good!".

Tessa Peake-Jones and Douglas Hodge together split in 2013 (Image: Shutterstock)

Douglas, now 64, was the distinguished actor behind the dishonourable Damien Trotter in the iconic 1996 Christmas special, appearing alongside his then real-life partner, Tessa, who played his mother Raquel in the same episode.

The duo began dating in 1984 and theu share two children, Mollie (born in 1991) and Charlie (born in 2000). However, after nearly three decades together, they drew the curtain on their love story in February 2013.

A spokesperson for the couple shared at that time: "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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Following the end of their long-standing relationship, Hodge found love again American wigmaker Amanda Miller and has continued to act.

Beyond his television work, Hodge has cemented his status in Hollywood, boasting roles in notable films such as The Descent Part 2 (2009), Robin Hood (2010), Diana (2013), and captivating audiences as Alfred Pennyworth in the box office hit 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), to mention just a few.

Most recently, Douglas portrays Reginald in the new movie We Live in Time alongside Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh.

Tessa Peake-Jones as Mrs Chapman in Grantchester (Image: ITV)

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.

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.