Grantchester’s Tom Brittney compares final day to ‘watching your own obituary’ as he talks about leaving ITV drama

GRANTCHESTER star Tom Brittney has spoken about his departure from the ITV period drama – comparing his final day to “watching your own obituary”.

Tom, 34, is bowing out as Reverend Will Davenport, which he began playing in 2019.

Tom Brittney has spoken about leaving ITV period drama GrantchesterCredit: Congratulations/Masterpiece

He has been playing alongside Robson Green since 2019Credit: Congratulations/ITV/Masterpiece

Tom described his departure as the “hardest decision” of his lifeCredit: PA: Press Association

He joined the series in series four, replacing James Norton as the lead actor.

Former Hollyoaks actor Rishi Nair replaced Tom, playing the latest vicar Alphy Kotteram.

Tom will make his final appearance as Will at the start of series nine.

Speaking in a Q&A session ahead of the release of series nine, he reflected on his last day on the Grantchester set.

Learn more about Tom Brittney

He said: “My last day, I think, was me in (Geordie’s) office and just one of us looking for a clue, just ordinary detective work.

“Then there was a secret surprise party that was thrown, a highlight of my entire life on Grantchesterwhich was beautiful but also like looking at your own obituary.

“It’s a wonderful thing, but also incredibly depressing. It was beautiful. I couldn’t stop crying.”

Meanwhile, Tom also shared some thoughts on his decision to leave 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 Grantchesterplaying a character that had so much depth, complexity and was just a happy place.

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“But I think all good things must come to an end.

“I think it was a good time to put an end to, let’s say, Will’s story and see where they took the story without him.

“I think Will had such a passionate and fiery beginning.

“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 it was the right time to end it.”

Crime dramas on ITVX

Lovers of crime dramas have plenty to choose from on ITVX – here’s a selection of some of the shows available to binge on.

Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise frontman 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 over her son, killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name was adapted for the program. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
Red eyes: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, set primarily on an overnight flight from London to Beijing. With bodies piling up and a mystery to solve, the heroes must work fast to uncover the truth.
The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, and episodes were broadcast in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the series was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill plays the lead role of lawyer Brett Colby.
Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. The first series focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which occurred in 2004, while the second described the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.

In other work, Tom has appeared in a wide variety of television watch.

This includes episodes of Call the Midwife, Casualty, Doctors and Outlander.

In 2019, he starred in an episode of the Netflix anthology series Heartstrings, based on the songs of Dolly Parton.

Grantchester continues on ITV1 and ITVX.

He will make his final appearance at the start of series nine.Credit: Congratulations/Masterpiece