ITV Grantchester fans make stance clear over key character exit moments into new series as they issue complaint: ‘Not ready’

Grantchester returned to screens on Wednesday evening, with the period drama kicking off its ninth series.

Having first aired back in 2014, the drama is about to introduce its third Reverend in the form of Alphy Kotteram, played by Rishi Nair. His character will replace Tom Brittney’s Will Davenport.

The series started with DI Geordie Keating (Robson Green) and Davenport teaming up as usual to crack another murder.

The episode’s synopsis read: “A circus performer, Errol Macabre, is found dead, having been shot with a crossbow that was used for a magic trick.

“Was this a tragic accident caused by a malfunctioning prop? Or was there foul play? Will and Geordie must investigate to separate truth from illusion.

“Meanwhile, Will receives a surprising offer from the bishop that makes him question his life in Grantchester.”

The plot already seems to be gearing up for Davenport’s exit, which was confirmed last year.

However, despite having several months to prepare and with the spoiler already public knowledge, viewers took to social media just minutes into the episode to express their disappointment about Brittney’s impending exit.

During the episode, one X user shared: “Love #grantchester being back. I’m going to miss Will, I preferred him to Sidney (maybe a controversial opinion) tbh.”

“Not ready for Will to go #Grantchester,” a second penned, while a third echoed: “I will miss Will terribly #Grantchester.”

“I miss Sidney. #Grantchester,” another confessed, alluding to original protagonist James Norton, who starred as Reverend Sidney Chambers until 2019.

“I’m not ready for change, can’t you stay Will #Grantchester,” someone else pleaded.

Another commented: “It’s so good to have #Grantchester back. @tombrittney will already be missed.” (sic)

However, show bosses have promised they had “hit gold” with Nair, who will be making his first appearance soon.

Speaking to GB News and other media during a press Q&A, series creator Daisy Coulam admitted the change was “scary”, but added: “We’ve been very lucky on this show that we did it once with James Norton, then with Tom, and sometimes I think there’s like some kind of godly intervention in this show, because we hit gold the third time as well.

“So we were very lucky, even from the audition you guys hit it off.”

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Nair also touched on how and why reactions to Kotteram’s race would be explored in the series.

“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,” he detailed.

“I think we would have really missed a 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.”