Before becoming a familiar face to Grantchester viewers, James Norton took on a very different role in a period drama that deserves to be back in the spotlight. The actor starred in Life in Squares, the 2015 BBC series exploring the fascinating lives, relationships and creative world of the famous Bloomsbury Group – and it is now available to binge on Prime Video.

Set in the early 20th century, the three-part drama follows a circle of influential British writers, artists and intellectuals whose unconventional attitudes challenged the social expectations of their time. At the heart of the story are sisters Vanessa Bell, a celebrated painter, and Virginia Woolf, one of Britain’s most influential writers. Their complicated relationship provides much of the emotional drama, while the series also explores the unconventional personal lives and artistic ambitions of those around them.

Norton plays Duncan Grant, the artist whose relationships and connections within the group add another layer of complexity to the story. Ed Birch also appears as writer Lytton Strachey, alongside a cast bringing this remarkable artistic circle to life.

Combining creative ambition, complicated relationships and a world that questioned traditional conventions, Life in Squares offers a very different glimpse of Norton’s acting career. His performance as Grant is particularly worth revisiting for viewers who know him best from his later television roles.

Although the series first aired in 2015, its exploration of artistic freedom, personal identity and unconventional relationships still makes it an intriguing watch. For anyone who missed it the first time around, this could be the perfect opportunity to discover one of James Norton’s earlier performances.

And with all three episodes available to stream, viewers can explore the entire story in one sitting.