Pastures NEW

TOM BRITTNEY on why he's decided to say farewell to Reverend Will Davenport

- VICTORIA WILSON

GRANTCHESTER

WEDNESDAY, 9PM, ITV1 DRAMA

Since zooming into picturesque Cambridgeshire on his motorbike almost six years ago, Grantchester's crime-solving clergyman Will Davenport has won the hearts of his parishioners as well as those of fans of the popular ITV1 period whodunnit.

So there is bound to be tears all round as the ninth series continues this week when the rebellious reverend decides to embark on a new adventure with wife Bonnie (played by Charlotte Ritchie) and their two children by accepting a posting in Newcastle, following star Tom Brittney's decision to bow out of the show.

'I've had an incredible time playing Will, but it's time for the baton to be passed on, as it once was to me,' smiles the actor, 34, as, here, he joins TV Times for an exclusive chat about his exit episode and what the future holds...

Your character made his debut during the fourth run in 2019 as a replacement for James Norton's outgoing vicar Sidney Chambers. Why is the time now right to hang up Will's cassock?

I've really cared about Will, but I thought his journey had come to an end and that he'd finally found peace. So it seemed like a good place to say goodbye. And, as an actor, I wanted to try something new.

There are some emotional scenes ahead in your last episode as Will finds it tough saying farewell to his best friend and partner-in-crime-solving, Geordie Keating (Robson Green), doesn't he?

Yes, Geordie and Will have always had this lovely father-son relationship, so their final goodbye is heartbreaking for them both.