First look at Rishi Nair’s Grantchester debut TONIGHT – as show boss admits ‘change is hard’ after Tom Brittney’s exit

NEW pictures of Rishi Nair on set of Granchester have been revealed as he officially replaces Tom Brittney.

The 34-year-old previously announced he was bowing out as Reverend Will Davenport.

3

3

3

He's played the fan-favourite character since 2019 but his final scenes aired last week, leaving fans in tears.

Tonight, Rishi officially takes over as new vicar Alphy Kotteram - and immediately gets off on the wrong foot with Geordie Keating.

Exclusive pictures show the star as he arrived on set to film his first scenes for the long-running drama.

Rishi could be seen sharing a scene with his new sidekick Geordie, played by Robson Green.

more on grantchester

bye brittney

Grantchester fans left in tears as Tom Brittney quits ITV drama

going green

Grantchester’s Robson Green confirms future on hit ITV drama after co-star exit

In another snap the hunky actor is all smiles as he poses with Tessa Peake-Jones, though she appears sternly in character as Mrs Chapman.

Rishi, 33, made his acting debut in 2015 with an appearance in Silent Witness but is best known for playing Sami Maalik in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for four years.

Grantchester writer Daisy Coulam has opened up on the worry of trying to replicate Geordie's relationship with Will for the drama's new era.

She said: "Change is always scary isn't it? And there was such a genuine love between the character of Will and Geordie and the actors Tom and Robson and you worry that you can't replicate that.

Most read in Drama

that's a wrap

ITV axes ‘provocative’ drama after two series amid string of cancellations

big comeback

Suits spin-off teases Harvey Specter’s return in new trailer

paradise lost

Death in Paradise rocked by 'death of new officer' in first look at series 14

at d-odds

McDonald and Dodds star reveals he's 'dumbfounded and devastated' by show's axing

"But we've been very luck on this show that we did it once with James Norton, and now with Tom.

"Sometimes I do think there's some kind of Godly intervention with this show because we've hit gold the third time with Rishi as well."

During tonight's hour-long episode fans will watch as Geordie and Alphy will be forced to put their differences aside.

They're tasked with trying to solve the murder of a local landowner as they put their heads together to catch the killer.

Previously speaking about stepping into drama, Rishi said: "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."

Grantchester airs tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Crime dramas on ITVX

Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.

• Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
• The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother's grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake's novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
• Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place  during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
• The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
• Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.