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Is Tom Brittney leaving Grantchester in Season 9?

By Michael Weyer

MASTERPIECE Mystery!"Grantchester" Season 8Episode FiveSunday, August 6, 2023; 9-10pm ET on PBSGeordie is placed on desk duty as Elliot contrives to force him to resign. The next murder case is handed to Larry, who struggles but wisely enlists the help of Miss Scott.Shown: Tom Brittney as Will DavenportFor editorial use only.Courtesy of Kudos and MASTERPIECE.
MASTERPIECE Mystery!"Grantchester" Season 8Episode FiveSunday, August 6, 2023; 9-10pm ET on PBSGeordie is placed on desk duty as Elliot contrives to force him to resign. The next murder case is handed to Larry, who struggles but wisely enlists the help of Miss Scott.Shown: Tom Brittney as Will DavenportFor editorial use only.Courtesy of Kudos and MASTERPIECE. /
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Grantchester just finished Season 8 and is ready for a new year. However, Season 9 will be a huge one as a key cast member departs. Is this the end for Tom Brittney as Will Davenport, and will he be back for Season 9?

Premiering in 2014, Grantchester has become a popular show first for ITV and then PBS Masterpiece. It began in the 1950s in the titular village, set in Cambridge, England. Detective Inspector Geordie Keating (Robson Green) would investigate crimes, often murders, and be aided by local vicar Sidney Chambers (James Norton), who had a talent for sleuthing.

In Season 4, Sidney felt out of place in the quiet town and decided to move to America. He was replaced by Will Davenport (Tom Brittney), who focused more on the clergy but nonetheless pulled into helping Geordie on cases. Will would eventually fall in love with Bonnie (Charlotte Ritchie) and marries her.

Season 8 has Will put through a wringer as he blames himself for a fatal bike crash and sinks into a depression. The finale had him hitting bottom, but Geordie was able to pull him out of it in time for Bonnie to give birth to a son. That seemed a great new future for Will, but was it the last of him?

Is Will returning for Grantchester Season 9?

While Grantchester is coming back for Season 9, Tom Brittney has confirmed he will be leaving the show, issuing a statement on PBS’ official website.

"“I’ve had the most incredible time playing Will Davenport for the last five years. I got to solve crimes with my best friend and work with the best cast and crew I could ever ask for. I’ll miss it more than anything. But it’s time for the baton to be passed, as it once was to me, and I’m so excited for Rishi to join the Grantchester family.”"

The baton is going to Rishi Nair, who will join in the Season 9 premiere as Vicar Alphy Kottera. The character is described as suspicious of authority, so likely a tough road to gaining Geordie’s trust.

The Season 9 synopsis indicates that Will is offered a big opportunity in the season premiere that, combined with his new fatherhood, makes him decide to leave Grantchester. It sounds like Brittney will be around to pass the torch to Nari, just as Norton helped pave the way for Brittney.

Emma Kingsman-Lloyd, Executive Producer for Kudos, commented:

"“It’s the end of an era as we say an emotional farewell to Tom Brittney. He’s been extraordinary in the past five series, and we’ll miss him very much. But audiences can look forward to a new and fantastically entertaining chapter as we welcome Rishi Nair to the series. Alphy Kotteram is charismatic, witty and will give Geordie a run for his money. I think the audience will love our new addition.”"

So it appears Brittney will be sticking around Grantchester for at least another couple of episodes in Season 9 before letting his replacement take over as Will moves to a new life.

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Grantchester is streaming on PBS Passport.

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