Tom Brittney Bio: Age, Early Life, Career, Grantchester and Movies
Tom Brittney is an English actor, director, and producer known for his work across British television and film. He gained widespread recognition as Reverend Will Davenport in Grantchester.
His career has also included roles in Outlander, UnREAL, The Five, Humans, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, and Invasion. More recently, he expanded his screen work with The Westies and Fall 2: Deadpoint.
Who Is Tom Brittney?
Tom Brittney is a British actor born on October 26, 1990, in Gravesend, Kent, England. He later moved to Devon with his family when he was 12.
As of 2026, Tom Brittney is 35 years old. He trained professionally at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Brittney started building his acting career in television during the early 2010s. He gradually earned roles in several popular British and international productions.
However, his major breakthrough came when he joined Grantchester. The role introduced him to a much larger international audience.
Tom Brittney Early Life and Education
Tom Brittney grew up in England after his family moved from Kent to Devon. His mother, Lynn Brittney, works as an author and previously taught drama.
His younger sister, Rose Brittney, trained as a dancer. Therefore, the family had strong connections with creative and performing arts.
Brittney attended Colyton Grammar School in Devon. He later moved to London to pursue professional acting training.
He studied at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, one of Britain’s leading drama schools.
That training helped him develop the skills needed for television, film, and stage performances.
Tom Brittney Acting Career
Brittney began his professional television career in 2013. His early credit came through the BBC daytime drama Doctors.
He then secured appearances in several established television productions. These roles helped him gain valuable experience before his breakthrough.
In 2014, Brittney appeared in Call the Midwife. He also joined the cast of Outlander as Lieutenant Jeremy Foster.
He subsequently appeared in Casualty, The Syndicate, Humans, and UnREAL. These projects allowed him to explore different genres and characters.
In 2015, he played Roger Lockwood in the American drama series UnREAL. He also appeared as Greg in Humans.
Meanwhile, his role as Ken Howells in The Five gave him another opportunity to work within the crime genre.
Tom Brittney and Grantchester
Tom Brittney became widely recognized after joining Grantchester as Reverend Will Davenport.
He joined the ITV and PBS crime drama from its fourth series. He replaced James Norton, who previously played Reverend Sidney Chambers.
Brittney’s character, Will Davenport, brought a different personality to the long-running series. Will served as a young vicar who became closely connected with Detective Inspector Geordie Keating.
The character also became involved in the show’s murder investigations. His friendship with Geordie became one of the central relationships in the series.
Initially, Brittney faced the difficult task of replacing a popular leading actor. However, audiences gradually embraced his interpretation of Will.
According to GBH, Will developed a deep friendship with Geordie. Their relationship helped Brittney establish his own identity within the series.
Brittney played Will through the show’s ninth series. His final episodes marked the end of an important chapter for the character.
Why Did Tom Brittney Leave Grantchester?
Tom Brittney left Grantchester after several years as Reverend Will Davenport. He described the decision as one of the hardest decisions of his life.
However, Brittney believed the time had arrived to complete Will’s story. He wanted the character to reach a satisfying point rather than continue indefinitely.
Will eventually left the village after reaching a happier stage in his personal life. The character had married Bonnie and had a son and stepson.
The series later introduced Rishi Nair as Reverend Alphy Kottaram. ITV confirmed that Brittney had departed before the show’s tenth season.
The eleventh and final season continued without Brittney’s character.
Tom Brittney Movies and TV Shows
Tom Brittney has built an impressive film and television résumé.
His television credits include:
- Doctors
- Call the Midwife
- Outlander
- Casualty
- The Syndicate
- Humans
- The Five
- UnREAL
- X Company
- Genius
- Grantchester
- Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings
- Make Me Famous
- Invasion
- The Westies
His film credits include Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool and Greyhound. He also appeared in the action-comedy film Back in Action.
These projects demonstrate his ability to work across historical dramas, crime series, comedy, action, and contemporary stories.
Tom Brittney in Make Me Famous
In 2020, Brittney starred as Billy in the BBC Three drama Make Me Famous.
The film explored the darker consequences of sudden reality television fame. It examined pressure, public attention, identity, and mental health struggles.
The role allowed Brittney to move away from the period-drama image associated with Grantchester.
Therefore, Make Me Famous became an important project in showing his dramatic range.
Tom Brittney in Greyhound
Brittney also appeared in the 2020 war film Greyhound. He played Lieutenant Watson alongside Tom Hanks.
The film follows an Allied convoy during the Battle of the Atlantic. It focuses heavily on naval warfare and the dangers facing the crew.
Brittney’s appearance gave him another opportunity to work on a major international production.
Tom Brittney and The Westies
In 2026, Brittney took on a major role in The Westies. His agent lists him as playing Jimmy Roarke, the lead character.
The series comes from MGM+ and filmmaker Alan Taylor. Brittney appears alongside a cast that includes established American performers.
The project represents another important step in his international career.
It also shows how his career has continued to expand after Grantchester.
Tom Brittney in Fall 2: Deadpoint
Brittney also appears in the 2026 thriller Fall 2: Deadpoint. IMDb lists him as playing Jon Platt.
The project adds another thriller credit to his growing filmography.
His recent work suggests that Brittney continues to explore roles beyond British period television.
Did Tom Brittney Audition for Superman?
Yes. Tom Brittney auditioned for the role of Superman in James Gunn’s DC film.
He reportedly reached the final stage of the casting process alongside Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet.
The role ultimately went to Corenswet.
Nevertheless, reaching the final stage represented a major opportunity for Brittney. It also increased interest in his career outside the British television industry.
His Superman audition demonstrated that casting directors viewed him as a potential leading star for a major Hollywood franchise.
Is Tom Brittney Married?
Tom Brittney generally keeps his private life away from the spotlight. Therefore, reliable public information about his relationships remains limited.
Several online biography sites describe him as married. However, they do not provide consistently verifiable details about his spouse.
For this reason, readers should treat unverified claims about Tom Brittney’s wife with caution.
Brittney has largely focused public attention on his acting career rather than his personal relationships.
Tom Brittney Height and Personal Details
Tom Brittney stands around 6 feet 2 inches tall, according to IMDb.
His date of birth is October 26, 1990. His birthplace is Gravesend, Kent, England.
He has worked professionally as an actor since 2013. His credits now span British television, American television, and feature films.
Brittney has also explored work behind the camera. GBH notes that he directed an episode of Grantchester during its seventh season.
Tom Brittney Career Beyond Acting
Brittney’s creative interests extend beyond acting.
His professional credits identify him as an actor, while other sources also credit him as a director and producer.
He has therefore developed experience on both sides of production.
His directing work on Grantchester gave him an opportunity to understand the production process from another perspective.
This experience could support further behind-the-scenes work throughout his career.
What Is Tom Brittney Doing Now?
As of 2026, Tom Brittney continues to build his career after Grantchester. His recent credits include The Westies and Fall 2: Deadpoint.
His departure from Grantchester has allowed him to pursue different characters and genres.
Moreover, his recent projects show a clear move toward broader international productions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tom Brittney
How old is Tom Brittney?
Tom Brittney was born on October 26, 1990. He is 35 years old in 2026.
What is Tom Brittney famous for?
Tom Brittney is best known for playing Reverend Will Davenport in Grantchester.
Why did Tom Brittney leave Grantchester?
He decided to leave after several years because he felt Will’s story had reached the right ending.
What movies has Tom Brittney appeared in?
His film credits include Greyhound, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Back in Action, and Fall 2: Deadpoint.
Did Tom Brittney play Superman?
No. However, he reached the final stage of the audition process for James Gunn’s Superman film. David Corenswet ultimately won the role.
Where was Tom Brittney born?
Tom Brittney was born in Gravesend, Kent, England.
Tom Brittney’s Career Legacy
Tom Brittney has developed a diverse career through television and film. His portrayal of Reverend Will Davenport remains his defining role.
However, his recent projects show that he does not want to remain tied to one character.
From Outlander and UnREAL to Grantchester and The Westies, Brittney has continued expanding his range.
His growing international profile could lead to more major film and television opportunities.
As of 2026, Tom Brittney remains an actor to watch as he enters a new stage of his career.
