Grantchester spoilers follow.
Grantchester has confirmed leading star Tom Brittney will be leaving the ITV1 drama.
The channel announced on Wednesday (July 12) that Grantchester's eighth series will be the last for Brittney's character William Davenport, but the show will continue as ex-Hollyoaks star Rishi Nair joins the cast as vicar Alphy Kotteram.
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The new series will center around William receiving a life-changing offer that would mean he has to leave Grantchester behind for good. His departure will open up a vicar job for Alphy, who has a strong distrust for authority.
Meanwhile, detective Geordie Keating (Robson Green) finds himself called back into the line of duty when he has to investigate a break-in at the Vicarage.
Related: Grantchester series 8 pregnancy storyline confirmed in set pictures
Geordie's professional responsibilities could bring him into conflict with Alphy, since the new vicar doesn't share his predecessors' interest in solving murders.
Ahead of his departure, Brittney said: "I’ve had the most incredible time playing Will Davenport for the last five years. I got to solve crimes with my best friend, and work with the best cast and crew I could ever ask for. I’ll miss it more than anything.
"But it’s time for the baton to be passed, as it once was to me, and I’m so excited for Rishi to join the Grantchester family."
Brittney joined the show in the fourth series when Will took over the Vicarage from predecessor Sidney Chambers (James Norton).
Related: Grantchester's Robson Green returns to screens in new BBC show
Nair said about his new role: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Grantchester. The welcome and support I’ve received from everyone has been overwhelming.
"The success of the show and the reason we are here for a ninth season is a testament to all the people that have previously worked on it. I'm really excited to get started and cannot wait for the Grantchester fans to meet Alphy and to see all that's in store for him."
The actor left his role as Sami Maalik in Hollyoaks in December 2021, after four years at the heart of the Channel 4 soap's popular Maalik family.
His new co-star Robson Green has also addressed the casting change: "I feel so blessed to be embarking once again on this thrilling journey with the beloved series, Grantchester.
"The anticipation is palpable however, amid the exhilaration, a tinge of sadness lingers for all of us as we are bidding farewell to my close friend and remarkable actor Tom Brittney, whose portrayal of the charismatic Will Davenport will be sorely missed.
"Yet, we are all delighted in welcoming the incredibly talented Rishi Nair to the Grantchester family! With his exceptional skills and magnetic presence, I have no doubt that Rishi will be captivating the hearts of millions not only in the UK but also across the globe."
Filming is currently underway on the eighth series of Granchester, but there is no confirmed release date yet. The show airs as part of PBS's Masterpiece programming in the US, and also streams on Britbox.
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Justin is a freelance entertainment journalist and writer. He first joined Digital Spy as a freelance entertainment reporter in 2010 and also worked as a sub-editor for the brand, serving as Night News Editor from 2016 to 2024. Over more than a decade, Justin has covered numerous major entertainment events from the US and has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo. He's written for titles across the Hearst network, plus the likes of CBR and Us Weekly.
