Grantchester fans share concern as accidental death takes a toll on Will Davenport

Grantchester is paving the way for Tom Brittney's exit, and fans were left concerned for his crime-solving priest after another episode revealed the toll an accidental death has had on his conscience.

Airing on Thursday, 25 January the ITV drama explored the ways in which Will Davenport has shut himself off from others in the wake of killing of a man in a motorbike accident in the first episode of season 8. The character almost signed a confession stating he was riding over the speed limit in episode two but was saved by Geordie providing key evidence that proved it was an accident.

Read more: Grantchester viewers left reeling after Will Davenport bike accident

Regardless, Will remains plagued by guilt over the turn of events and episode three saw this continue to be a concerning matter. A case involving a murdered university porter triggered him, and his subdued demeanour was noticed by his colleagues who asked his wife Bonnie (Charlotte Ritchie) to talk to him.

The episode sees Will and Bonnie share a romantic reunion, but when the priest realises that she came to him out of concern he pushes her away, saying he doesn't need help. His desire to keep his feelings hidden remained a key point for the rest of the episode, which ended with Will alone and bearing a dark expression as the heaviness of his guilt settled in on him.

In response, viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on Will's struggles and the storyline that has been used to explain the character's forthcoming exit from the programme.

One person said of the episode's plot: "Will isn’t ok, even though he’s trying to pretend he is", while another viewer commented, "Will clearly needs counselling or something."

Reacting to the episode's final scene of Will alone, one viewer wrote: "OMG, Will. I never expected them to go this route, ever. Brilliant."

While another viewer chastised the character for pushing Bonnie and his friends away at his time of need, saying: "They're trying to help, Will." Similarly, one person said: "Wonder if Will is questioning his faith."

One fan remarked on their sadness over the prospect of saying bye to Brittney, writing: "I think I'm saying this ever week at the moment but I really don't want Tom to leave as Will."

Brittney confirmed his plans to exit the programme ahead of the new season, saying of his character arc: "Everything he's worked so hard for is gone just like that. It just destroys the way Will thinks of himself, because this action, whether it was an accident or on purpose, in the eyes of God and everyone else, he believes it's unforgivable, and it really sets him down a dark path.

"Now that this thing has happened, he's questioning whether God or anyone can ever love him again. He just shuts them out and it pushes him further and further away from everyone to the point where we don't know if he's ever coming back."

Grantchester season 8 airs on Thursdays at 9pm on ITV1.