Grantchester fans left in tears as Tom Brittney quits ITV drama in emotional scenes – and Hollyoaks star replaces him

THE LATEST episode of Grantchester left fans in pieces as Reverend Will Davenport bid farewell to the village in emotional scenes.

After seasons of captivating audiences with his portrayal of the beloved vicar, Tom Brittney has departed the ITV drama.

Fans had been bracing themselves for Will’s exit, but the emotional weight of his departure caught many by surprise.

In the scene Will told Geordie Keating (Robson Green) that he would be leaving Grantchester to take up a new role at a parish in Newcastle.

"I love this place, I love having a family here, and you, especially you," Will said to Geordie, pleading for his friend to understand his decision.

"But I don’t want to end up here in 30 years and realise I missed my chance. This new parish… I can really help people, I can rock some boats. I’m not really rocking any boats here, am I? I hope I can have your blessing.";

Geordie initially reacted with anger, accusing Will of selfishness.

He hit back: "You’re being selfish, putting yourself first like you always do. You’re not giving a damn about those of us left behind.

"What about Cathy? She loves having Bonnie around. And what about Ernie? Taking him out of school, away from the people he loves—it’s not on. So, no, you do not have my blessing."

Despite the initial tense confrontation, the two reconciled in the end, embracing and exchanging heartfelt words.

Geordie admitted: "You make me proud every day."

The scenes left fans in tears, with many taking to social media to share their emotions.

"I’m 29 years old, and it’s been a while since I cried at a TV show as hard as that," one fan confessed on X (formerly Twitter).

Another wrote: "I didn’t want to. I hoped I wouldn’t. But in the end, I had to. Cried my eyes out at the end of this episode of Grantchester. Farewell to Will Davenport."

A third shared: "Still sobbing. Tom Brittney, I knew it would be hard to say goodbye but not that hard."

After bidding an emotional farewell to Will Davenport, fans can soon expect to meet the man stepping into his shoes in the local parish.

Former Hollyoaks star Rishi Nair will be moving to the village as Reverend Alphy Kotteram.

Speaking about his new role, Rishi touched on the racial challenges his character will face as villagers adjust to having a black vicar.

In a recent interview, the actor shared: "This was the first time I did any period [drama] and, for me, it was really important that we did address that and that it was played out in the series.

"I think we would have really missed the trick and not played the truth of society if I just came into 1962 Rochester and everyone’s just absolutely lovely to me, and no one bats an eyelid because that’s not what would have happened."