Tom Brittney, known for portraying Reverend Will Davenport in the ITV detective drama Grantchester, has shared his emotional response to the news that the beloved series is concluding. The actor, who played the role across six series before his departure in 2024, admitted feeling "heartbreak" upon learning of the show's end.
Brittney's Emotional Reaction
"Oh, I was both heartbroken, in the sense of like, it was one of the longest running shows I think that ITV had had in that way," Brittney told Radio Times. He expressed pride in the creators, noting that after James Norton (who played Reverend Sidney Chambers) left, there were doubts about the show's future. "They were like, 'We'll try and get a new guy, it'll probably fail, but we'll try it,' and so there's no pressure on me to try and keep it going."
The actor continued: "And then luckily, it did, and I did six or seven wonderful series of that, and I loved it. It will always be a special place in my heart."
Grantchester's Legacy
Grantchester, adapted from James Runcie's series of novels, first aired in 2014 and chronicled the unlikely partnership between a Cambridgeshire vicar and a police detective for over a decade. The show became a staple of ITV's drama lineup, running for 10 series. It was confirmed last year that the programme would be concluding.
The final series features Robson Green returning as Detective Inspector Geordie Keating alongside Rishi Nair as Alphy, Al Weaver as Leonard Finch, and Tessa Peake-Jones as Mrs C. Other cast members include Kacey Ainsworth as Cathy Keating, Oliver Dimsdale as Daniel Marlowe, Nick Brimble as Jack Chapman, Bradley Hall as DC Larry Peters, and Melissa Johns as Miss Scott.
Robson Green Reflects on the Journey
Robson Green, who plays Geordie Keating, reflected on the show's conclusion: "From the very beginning, I have had the incredible fortune to be part of this extraordinary team of talented, passionate, and dedicated individuals who have become more than colleagues. They have become family. I have made friendships forged through shared laughter, challenges, and triumphs."
He added: "The bonds we've formed extend far beyond the camera lens, and I know that they will endure long after the final scene within the Grantchester world has been filmed. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey."
Fans can catch up on Grantchester on ITVX.
