ITV reveal the new vicar who's taking over from James Norton in Grantchester

Grantchester Sidney Chambers
(Image credit: Photo by Nick Briggs)

James Norton says he's heartbroken to be saying goodbye to Sidney Chambers

Call the Midwife and Outlander actor Tom Brittney is taking over crime-solving clergyman duties from James Norton in the hit ITV series Grantchester.

James, who plays jazz-loving vicar Sidney Chambers, will make his final appearance during the fourth series.

And Tom will be joining the cast as Reverend Will Davenport, who will team up with Robson Green’s Geordie Keating.

Grantchester new line up

Tom Brittney as Will with Robson Green as Geordie and James Norton as Sidney

Tom, 27, said: "I am beyond excited. From the moment I heard about the role of Will Davenport, it was something I wanted more than anything. It’s a real honour to be joining such a wonderful series, with such a loyal fan base."

James, who recently starred in the thriller McMafia, added: "As excited as I am to be filming a new series of Grantchester, it’s also heartbreaking to be saying goodbye to Sidney Chambers. I’ve loved this experience, and particularly working with such an extraordinary cast and crew. All the best to the fantastic Tom Brittney in his role as the new vicar. He is a wonderful addition to the Grantchester family."

Will is billed as a “man of the people” but ITV added that as “Geordie draws him into righting the wrongs of criminal Cambridge, Will’s own troubled past is unearthed.”

Series four of Grantchester is currently being filmed.

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.


Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 


David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.


Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!