Grantchester Season 4 is here, and this new season means a brand new character: Reverend William Davenport. As sad as we are to see Sidney (James Norton) depart, we already have a soft spot for the new rock-and-rolling, motorcycle-driving Reverend. And while we’re more than happy to let Will’s story unfold over the course of the season, we were curious to learn more about Tom Brittney, the actor who portrays him.
After a little bit of digging (and a whole lot of twitter reading), we found out just who Brittney is – and we like what we’re seeing. Here are our 10 favorite facts about the new Rev of Grantchester Season 4.
1) Brittney’s first role in a costume drama was as a new father in Call the Midwife
Relatively new to the acting scene – he’s been appearing on our screens for only six years. Brittney’s first role in a period drama was in Season 3 of Call the Midwife, as new dad Ollie Cox. He’s gone on to appear in the other period pieces, X Company, Genius and Outlander!
2) He wanted to act since childhood
Brittney was encouraged in his love for entertainment by two drama teachers – his high school mentor, and his mother, who taught elementary school drama.
3) Brittney trained as an actor at University
After graduating from high school, Brittney followed his passion to the University of London, where he attended the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
4) His first professional job was in a commercial
It was in his last month at the Royal Central School that Brittney booked his first gig – as a lead in a big-budget Intel commercial. It was soon after that that he booked a guest appearance on the long-running BBC Soap Doctors.
5) He got ordained as a practical joke
Ironically, as a sixteen year old ne’er-do-well, Brittney decided that getting ordained as a practical joke would be a laugh – if only to marry his friends to each other behind their backs.
6) One of his acting heroes is Robin Williams…
A class clown himself, Brittney was always delighted by the comedy and ‘play’ of Robin Williams – though he also confesses to enjoying the actor's more dramatic roles as well.
7) …And Hook is one of his favorite films
In fact, Robin Williams is the actor that first gave Brittney the acting bug. As a child watching Hook, Brittney remembers being in awe of the expanse of the sets and the fantasy of the story.
8) Documentary photography is his passion
When he’s not acting, Brittney is practicing photography. He especially enjoys documenting political rallies and protests.
9) Brittney supports Charlton Athletic Football Club
Despite being born in Kent, Brittney is a diehard fan of Charlton Athletic, a football club located a touch closer to London.
10) And finally? He loves dogs.
Brittney might be a bit more compassionate than his Grantchester altar-ego Will Davenport – he has two dogs, Willow and Sophie, a Basset Hound and a Shepherd.
See Will Davenport's introduction – and Sidney Chamber's departure – on the new season of Grantchester.
References:
http://www.themortonreport.com/entertainment/television/catching-up-with-actor-tom-brittney/
http://www.theglassmagazine.com/interview-with-tom-brittney/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5938631/
https://twitter.com/tombrittney
https://twitter.com/tombrittney/status/1022602322885705730
https://twitter.com/tombrittney/status/1122131368740311045
https://twitter.com/tombrittney/status/1104041230713925633
https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/dolly-parton-heartstrings-cast-melissa-leo-camryn-manheim-tim-busfield-casting-1203135743/
