ITV's Grace stars John Simm and Zoe Tapper address 'isolating' and 'devastating' storyline

The crime drama is set to return to our screens tonight (April 6), with lead actor John Simm revealing some heartrending scenes in the opening episode. His character, Roy Grace, and his girlfriend Cleo Morey, portrayed by Zoe Tapper, will be dealing with a tragic storyline.

The first episode of season five, titled Dead If You Don't, sees Grace taking a day off that doesn't go as planned. The episode begins on a melancholic note as Grace and Cleo grapple with the loss of their baby.

In the previous season, the couple were expecting a child just as Grace discovered his long-lost wife Sandy (played by Clare Calbraith) and learned he had a son named Bruno.

Tragically, Sandy took her own life, leaving Grace shocked and grieving, while also having to adjust to being a father to a young son.

Speaking to media outlets including Express.co.uk about the heartbreaking storylines, 54 year old Simm explained that the baby's loss occurred between seasons.

"You realise quite quickly what's happened and they're also trying to deal with Bruno, who is now kind of living with him," Simm said.

"They both have to try and bond with Bruno through tragic circumstances, what happened to Sandy etc in the previous series.

"So, it's quite heightened but great to play. You need some dramatic tension, so it's much better to play something like that. It was really lovely challenge, actually."

Tapper, 24, has candidly discussed her character's heart-wrenching storyline, revealing: "It was different coming into this series because you find out very early on she's lost the baby, so that's the first image you have of her and them is dealing with this devastating loss."

She described the scenes as "They were really poignant, moving scenes to film and interesting in another way, because for Cleo her work is so integral to who she is as a person."

The star noted how they were "really poignant, moving scenes to film". Tapper added they were "interesting in another way, because for Cleo, her work is so integral to who she is as a person."

Delving deeper into her role, Tapper shared: "She's on bereavement leave at the beginning of this series and Roy has had to go back to work, so they're separated in their grief as well."

The actress said, "I felt very isolated. She felt very isolated to me as a character in the beginning place where you first see."

Despite the heavy subject matter, Tapper hinted at an eventful season ahead, suggesting her character would be thrust into the thick of the drama.

In preparation for the storyline, Tapper researched baby loss extensively, describing it as "very personal" to each individual affected.

She sought insight from online resources and a close friend who had experienced the tragedy of losing a child late in pregnancy.

Tapper explained the delicate approach to the storyline: "We don't delve enormously into what happened, it would have been so, so traumatic for them."

She concluded with a sense of responsibility, stating: "Ultimately, I obviously wanted to do justice to something as profound and as devastating as that. So I had to find my truth within it."

Grace season 5 airs on ITV on Sundays at 8pm