Grantchester's Will Davenport star Tom Brittney shares reason behind his season nine departure

Grantchester is set for a significant change as Reverend Will Davenport, played by Tom Brittney, will be parting ways with DI Geordie Keating on the show.

Following James Norton's exit as Sidney Chambers in the fourth season, Brittney stepped into the cassock to portray the clergyman-cum-detective in the beloved 1960s-set mystery series.

In 2023, the 34-year-old actor announced his decision to leave the popular ITV series, expressing a desire to "focus on new projects".

Brittney's last appearance in Grantchester will be broadcast tonight, Wednesday, January 15, on ITV and ITVX, during the second episode of the ninth season.

Ahead of his final bow, Brittney shared more about his reasons for leaving the long-running show.

Describing the choice to leave as the "hardest decision of my life" Brittney reflected on his time in Grantchester: "I spent five or six years, and the happiest years of my career so far, in doing Grantchester and playing a character that had so much depth and complexity and it was just a happy place, I'm sure you'll hear that phrase plenty of times I'm sure.

"But I think all good things have to come to an end and I think it just felt like the right time to put a full stop, let's say, on Will's story and see where they took the story without him.

"I think Will had such a passionate and fiery start and I think you saw him go through everything and come to a reasonably happy ending.

"As sad as it was to leave, I think he left in peace and that felt like a good place to end it."

Brittney's time portraying Reverend Davenport has come to an end, but Grantchester marches on with a fresh face stepping into the ecclesiastical shoes.

The third episode of season nine will usher in Reverend Alphy Kotteram, characterised as "cheeky and easygoing", yet with a past marked by conflicts with law enforcement and power misusers.

Rishi Nair will take on the role of Alphy, previously known for his portrayal of lawyer Sami Maalik, alongside appearances in The Marlow Murder Club and Count Abdulla.

Grantchester season nine continues every Wednesday at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.