Losing FAITH

TOM BRITTNEY on Will's downward spiral, and life after Grantchester...

Playing crime-solving vicar Will Davenport in Grantchester has been a labour of love for Tom Brittney since he joined the cast in 2019. Now, the current eighth run of the popular period drama sees the actor tackling some of his most challenging scenes to date after the series opener had his caring clergyman involved in a devastating motorcycle accident that resulted in a fatality.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Tom, 33, who is always a joy to chat to, gives TV Times his take on this latest chapter in Will’s story…

Will was on top of the world at the start of this series, but, in this week’s third instalment, his turmoil over the accident continues to threaten everything he holds dear. How do you think he’s feeling? Will’s happily married to Bonnie [played by Charlotte Ritchie], has a child on the way, has a stepson, Ernie [Isaac Highams], whom he loves as his own, and finally seems to have got over his demons from the past.

But, of course, this is Grantchester, so that’s never going to last long and now he has been in a terrible accident. As far as Will is concerned, there is no worse crime. He’s investigated murders; now his actions have caused someone to lose their life. It crushes his whole world and really sets him down a dark path…

As a result, Will starts to question his faith, doesn’t he?

Yes. The whole reason why Will became a vicar is because he strongly believes God will atone him for his sins of the past. But now he’s thinking, ‘How can God love you?’ It completely rocks Will’s identity, the faith he has in himself and his faith in God.