ITV Grantchester’s Tessa Peake-Jones makes feelings clear on Tom Brittney replacement as she speaks out on exit
ITV Grantchester and Only Fools and Horses legend Tessa Peake-Jones, 67, has shared her thoughts on Tom Brittney’s replacement ahead of the beginning of the beloved drama’s new series.
Brittney, 34, has starred as Reverend William “Will” Davenport since 2019 and will make his exit in the first episodes of the show’s next outing – which the actor conceded was the “hardest decision of my life.”
Rishi Nair, 33, will be stepping into the shoes as Reverend Alphy Kotteram in becoming Grantchester’s new vicar.
Peake-Jones, who plays the vicarage housekeeper Sylvia Chapman, has been a show mainstay, gracing screens as the devout caretaker since the show’s first series in 2014.
The fan-favourite actress revealed the first couple of episodes would be devoted to “saying goodbye” to Rev Davenport and Brittney himself.
“For all of us actors (it’s) very sad because he’s been part of the team for years,” Peake-Jones explained while speaking on Tuesday’s Loose Women.
Regarding Nair, Peake-Jones gave a glowing review of the newcomer to the village.
She enthused that the 33-year-old had “taken the bull by the horns, taken that mantle and ridden with it” adding to her glowing assessment: “He’s great.”
“He’s gorgeous,” one of the Loose Women panel chimed in.
Peake-Jones smirked and added: “It’s been lovely.”
However, not all is so rosy between the pair on-screen.
“My character’s been a bit tricky with him because she doesn’t like change and she was very fond of Will,” Peake-Jones said.
Continuing, the actress detailed her character “resists at first this newcomer” as she explained: “He doesn’t understand why she turns up at the vicarage because no one had told him she’s the housekeeper.”
As the new series progresses, viewers will be treated to Rev Alphy and Chapman “locking horns” over his lack of need for domestic support.
Despite the frosty beginnings, Peake-Jones grinned as she admitted: “By the end, of course, they become very good friends and she’s his fiercest ally.”
The 67-year-old actress’s role as Chapman, which has seen her through nine series in 11 years, is particularly poignant for her.
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While on the show, Peake-Jones revealed she was cast as Chapman on the day she was told her mother had just 24 hours to live.
“I know this won’t make things better but you’ve been cast,” she recalled her agent telling her over the phone.
Peake-Jones now touchingly thinks of her long career with Granchester as a “gift” from her dying mum,
“Here we are, 10 years on, the gift is still giving! Thanks mum,” the beloved actress concluded.