THE author of ITV’s Grace has been shadowing police officers for research ahead of a new series.

The crime drama, set in Brighton, is an adaptation of Peter James’s international bestselling books, which have sold 21 million copies worldwide.

The second series, comprising four feature-length films, has just come to an end.

A third season has already been confirmed by ITV, with filming set to begin in August this year.

Peter spent Tuesday with police officers in Brighton and Hove for research purposes.

“I'm out all day on research with Sussex Police,” he said.

“Miscreants beware, otherwise you might find Roy Grace feeling your collar.”

The first series of Grace was one of ITV’s most successful dramas with more than eight million people tuning in.

In an interview on The Argus Podcast, Peter revealed that the Duchess of Cornwall offered to play a dead body in an episode of the show during a visit to the set in Shoreham.

He said he pitched the idea to Camilla after discovering she had selected several of his books for her book club.

“I jokingly said would you like a cameo in the next series,” he said. “And she said, ‘yes, maybe I could be a dead body’.

“I think she might do something. I’m definitely going to drop her a note and say the offer is open.”

The Argus: Author Peter James Author Peter James

The second series of the hit show caused controversy however, after some viewers asking how it was allowed to air before the watershed.

The opening episode, which started at 8pm, featured a scene depicting sexual violence.

While some fans were thrilled to see the return of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, played by John Simm, others said the programme should have been on after the watershed.

An ITV spokesman said: "Grace is a dark thriller set in Brighton and follows the format of other ITV feature-length crime dramas.

"All our dramas in the 8pm to 10pm slot are subject to very careful consideration to ensure the content is suitable for a pre-watershed audience.

"There was a clear pre-transmission announcement to highlight to viewers the nature of the drama."