The popular ITV period drama Grantchester has introduced a new character, vicar Alphy Kotteram, played by actor Rishi Nair, as it returns to our screens for its ninth season. Nair’s debut as the successor to Tom Brittney’s character, Will Davenport, aired on January 22.
With a diverse career portfolio, Nair has appeared in various shows and films, including I’m Still Here and Silent Witness – to name a few.
He gained prominence as Sami Maalik in Channel 4’s soap Hollyoaks, where he delivered outstanding performances for four years before making a sudden exit in 2021. Although Nair chose not to elaborate on his reasons for leaving, he hinted that it was simply time for a change, leaving the door open for potential future returns.
Rishi Nair in Grantchester (Image: ITV)
Reflecting on his departure, Rishi said: “I will really miss everyone on the show. It’s like a big family so will definitely miss working with them. I don’t want to say this is goodbye forever because we never know what the future might hold but I feel like he’s left at a good time.”
He added, “We’ve seen him go full circle. He came to the village looking for revenge and was a bit of a villain at the beginning and we’ve kind of seen the real Sami and his soft side has come through.”, reports .
Fans of ITV’s beloved detective series were heartbroken as Tom stepped down from his role, having captivated audiences for nine seasons as the much-adored vicar Will Davenport.
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Grantchester airs tonight at 9pm on ITV and ITV X (Image: ITV)
As the dynamic between Detective Geordie and the new character Alphy starts to emerge, reflecting the previous cherished partnership with Will, viewers have expressed frustration over the persistent references to Will, claiming it hinders their ability to move on in the series.
One disgruntled fan took to social media stating: “They keep mentioning Will all the time how are we supposed to move on with Alphy if they won’t let us!” Another fan added: “Yes we all miss Will,” while another requested: “Stop depressing me with Will mentions, please.”
Grantchester airs tonight at 9pm on ITV and ITV X.