Grantchester fans all have the same complaint as ITV detective series returns to screens with huge change - pleading 'I'm not ready!'
Grantchester fans all had the same issue after the hit ITV detective drama returned, with some pleading 'I'm not ready!' just minutes into the premiere.
Wednesday night saw the show back on our screens for its ninth series.
The new season involved DI Geordie Keating (Robson Green) and Reverend Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) returning to solve another spate of murders.
It also featured the arrival of former Hollyoaks star Rishi Nair as new vicar Alphy Kottera after it was announced in July 2023 that the 33-year-old would be joining the cast.
But it was the departure of fan favourite Will which caused the biggest stir among viewers, with social media awash with complaints about the decision.
The actor, 34, joined the popular show to play the new lead character for its fourth series in 2019 after roles in Outlander, The Syndicate and Humans.
Grantchester fans all have the same issue after the hit ITV detective drama returned, with some pleading 'I'm not ready!' (pictured L-R: Tom Brittney as Revd Will Davenport; Robson Green as Geordie Keating; Rishi Nair as Revd Alphy Kotteram)
The new season sees Geordie and Will return to solve another spate of murders
He made the decision to leave the show in 2023, explaining that it was 'time for the baton to be passed'.
Fans of Grantchester are less than happy, however, following the airing of series nine's first episode, with one posting on X: 'It's so good to have #Grantchester back. Tom Brittney will already be missed. Not ready for Will to go. I will miss Will terribly.'
Another said: 'It shows how mentally unprepared I am for next week because that end scene already made me emotional.'
A third added: 'I'm not ready for change, can't you stay Will.'
Some users compared the loss of Revd Davenport to that of his predecessor Revd Sidney Chambers, played by James Norton.
One user posted: 'Love #grantchester being back I'm going to miss Will, I preferred him to Sidney (maybe a controversial opinion) tbh.'
Another added: 'Will miss Tom as I did James.'
One fan said: 'I miss Sidney.'
The departure of fan favourite Will caused a stir among viewers, with social media awash with complaints about the decision
Wednesday night's episode saw Geordie and Will investigate the murder of circus performer Errol Macabre after he was shot with a crossbow used for a magic trick.
It also set up the reverend's impending departure from Grantchester after he received a message from the bishop.
Fans will have to wait until Wednesday January 15 for the next instalment, when episode two airs on ITV.
The hour will focus on Geordie's reaction to Will's departure and, of course, another murder will be investigated in Grantchester.
There will be eight episodes in season nine in total, each an hour long.
At the time of quitting, Tom explained: 'I've had the most incredible time playing Will Davenport for the last five years. I got to solve crimes with my best friend, and work with the best cast and crew I could ever ask for.
'I'll miss it more than anything. But it's time for the baton to be passed, as it once was to me, and I'm so excited for Rishi to join the Grantchester family.'
Last week, Robson revealed he was mobbed by '2,000 super fans' in Las Vegas last summer for his role in Grantchester.
Robson revealed he was mobbed by '2,000 super fans' in Las Vegas last summer for his role in Grantchester
The English actor, 60, plays the role of Geordie Keating and threw himself into the action as filming got underway for the ninth series
Based on the Grantchester Mysteries novels by James Runcie, the ITV series has become a hit on both sides of the Atlantic - and Robson has amassed a crowd of US fans in the process.
Speaking to The Mirror, Robson said: 'Rishi (Nair) and I went to a press launch of Grantchester in Las Vegas last summer and were expecting about 100 people tops, but about 2,000 super fans turned up.
'It was like being at a Taylor Swift concert…it was so surreal.'
Robson revealed that he enjoys getting to speak to US fans about the show, as he added: 'We spent a lot of time talking to them.
'It really reinforced the love and joy and happiness I have for this show, because it just transcends so many barriers and has so many universal themes.'
Grantchester airs on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX.