Robson Green, best known for his role as Detective Inspector Geordie Keating in the hit ITV drama Grantchester, has revealed an unconventional approach to sleep that bucks traditional advice — and it’s all tied to life in his tranquil Northumberland retreat.
At 61, the actor says he thrives on just four hours of sleep a night, far below the often-recommended eight hours.
In a candid day-in-the-life interview with The Telegraph, Green explained that he finds quality of rest more important than quantity — and his rural setting plays a big role in making that possible.
“Four hours’ sleep is usually enough for me. I get good-quality sleep where I live — in the middle of nowhere,” Green told the publication, citing his peaceful Northumberland environment as a key part of his nightly routine.
Nights in Watersmeet: Cheese, Classics and Family Guy
Rather than heading straight to bed at a set hour, Green’s evenings often involve relaxing rituals — including eating gruyère cheese in bed while watching episodes of Family Guy or diving into his current book, Fatherland by Robert Harris.
This cosy routine reflects a broader shift in priorities for the seasoned actor, who cherishes comfort, simplicity, and connection with nature over strenuous nightlife or celebrity habits.
Country Mornings and Minimalist Living
Green lives with his partner Zoila Brozas in a 350-year-old fisherman’s cottage known as Watersmeet — a historic home perched on the River Tyne amid Northumberland’s sweeping countryside.
He describes mornings that start quietly in nature: waking up to birdsong, greeting Zoila with a playful “Are you awake?”, and easing into the day with a cold shower — a practice he’s reportedly maintained for 25 years — followed by two extra-shot flat whites and Sky News.
Inside his home, Green keeps things rustic and minimal: a log fire, a handful of sofas, local artwork, and a huge television — but no fanfare or frills that might disrupt his peaceful lifestyle.
Sleep, Space and the Great Outdoors
For Green, his unconventional sleep pattern is less about productivity and more about embracing what works for his body and environment.
Nestled far from city lights, the quiet of Northumberland appears to give him the kind of deep rest that allows him to function well on fewer hours.
Whether he’s gazing at the night sky through his conservatory — complete with telescope — or simply listening to birdcalls at dawn, it’s clear that pace and place are central to his wellbeing.
And for Robson Green, that balance seems to start with rethinking what “enough sleep” really means.
