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.
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.
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).
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.
