I’m thrilled to be back on set
SARAH MORGAN catches up with Tom Brittney as he steps back into the shoes of sleuthing vicar, Rev Will Davenport
LOSING a main character can be the death knell for some series. But not for Grantchester. When James Norton left, many thought life in the picturesque Cambridgeshire town would never be the same again, but Tom Brittney stepped in to fill the breach as new vicar Reverend Will Davenport, and things have continued to flourish.
For the uninitiated, the cosy crime drama set in the 1950s is based on stories by James Runcie, son of former Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie. The books focus on the life – and investigative skills – of Grantchester’s war veteran vicar, Sidney Chambers.
James – now off making movies and regularly touted as the next James Bond – played him, with Robson Green as his friend, Cambridge copper DI Geordie Keating. When Sidney left the country during the fourth season, Will took his place. Luckily for Geordie, he’s just as good a detective as his predecessor.
“From the moment I heard about the role of Will, it was something I wanted more than anything,” says Gravesend-born Tom, 30.
He’s now well-established as the lead character; when the show returns this week, it will be his third fully in the driving seat, and the seventh season overall.
In recent years, Shaun Evans has had the opportunity to direct a number of episodes of Endeavour, the series in which he stars. Now Tom is getting the same chance, and it seems he’s been delighted by the experience.
“I’m thrilled to be back on set with my Grantchester family,” he smiles. “I’m also absolutely over the moon to be given the opportunity to direct an episode, it’s been a life ambition of mine and I can’t wait for the audience to see it (and I can finally order Robson about)!”
Tom isn’t the only person thrilled to be returning.
“It’s great to be back in the world we all refer to as our happy place,” says 56-year-old Robson. “This new series is the best yet and is testament to the outstanding creative team that make this extraordinary, likeable, charming and entertaining tale what it is.
“I think viewers will be shocked and emotionally drained. But there will be laughs along the way, I promise,”
The run kicks off with everyone in holiday mood during the summer of 1958. Geordie, his wife Cathy and their kids are off to the seaside, accompanied by Will, Leonard, Daniel and Jack – who’s minding the church is anybody’s guess.
Everything seems to be going well, until a tragic death takes place. Of course, Geordie and Will feel duty bound to investigate, but neither of them can predict how the matter will turn out – or that what happens will send shockwaves throughout the series.
■ Grantchester ITV, Friday, 9pm