Grantchester’s Tom Brittney compares last day to ‘watching your own obituary’ as he opens up on quitting ITV drama
GRANTCHESTER star Tom Brittney has opened up about leaving the ITV period drama – comparing his final day to ‘watching your own obituary’.
Tom, 34, is bowing out as Reverend Will Davenport, whom he began playing in 2019.
He joined the show in series four, replacing James Norton as the lead actor.
Former Hollyoaks actor Rishi Nair has replaced Tom, playing latest vicar Alphy Kotteram.
Tom will make his final appearance as Will early on in series nine.
Speaking in a Q&A ahead of series nine’s release, he discussed his final day on the Grantchester set.
He said: “My last day ever was, I think, me in [Geordie’s] office and just one of us sorting out a clue, just run of the mill kind of detective work.
“Afterwards there was a secret surprise party that was being put on, a highlight reel of my entire life on Grantchester, which was beautiful but also like watching your own obituary.
“It’s a wonderful thing, but also incredibly depressing. It was beautiful. I could not stop crying.”
Meanwhile, Tom also shared some insights behind his decision to quit the show as a whole.
He revealed: “It was the hardest decision of my life.
“I spent I think five or six years and the happiest years of my career doing Grantchester, playing a character which had so much depth, complexity and was just a happy place.
“But I think all good things have to come to an end.
“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.
“You saw him go through everything and come to a reasonably happy ending, as sad as it was to leave.
“But I think he left in peace and that felt like a good place to end it.”
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
- Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
- The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
- Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
- The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
- Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
In other work, Tom has appeared in a wide variety of television shows.
This includes episodes of Call the Midwife, Casualty, Doctors and Outlander.
In 2019, he starred in one episode of Netflix anthology series Heartstrings, based upon Dolly Parton‘s songs.
Grantchester returns from January 8 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.