Rishi Nair could be the third vicar of Grantchester, yet he stands out as the most accomplished among them. Contrary to popular belief, he hasn’t previously solved mysteries or engaged in crime-fighting while wearing a clerical collar – neither has he preached a sermon. However, his background in law from university should serve him well in his new role as the ITV sleuth within the church.
Well, let me give you a little backstory here,” chuckles the 33-year-old from London. “Reading through my acting deals is pretty much all I do in this business!
Unlike the character he portrayed, Detective Alphy Kotteram, Nair didn’t find himself drawn to the legal system due to a deep-seated sense of justice. Instead, he worried that his background might limit his ability to realize his dream of acting.
As a child, I rarely encountered individuals who resembled me in prominent roles. I wasn’t sure if it was feasible for someone of color to pursue a career in such a challenging industry. Consequently, I chose to attend university and earn my degree.
Immediately following my graduation, my top priority became re-entering the acting world. To kick things off, I began performing in small theater productions held at local pubs with an audience of around thirty people.
Over time, acting roles were acquired, such as a prolonged period on Hollyoaks and parts in shows like New Tricks and Whitstable Pearl. However, Grantchester represents a significant advancement, as Nair takes over from the original lead, James Norton, who departed in 2019, and current main character Tom Brittney, who is concluding his five-series run in this week’s episode (with Nair debuting next week).
Nair comments, “It’s wonderful to witness James’ achievements, and I believe Tom will follow suit and excel as well. Sadly, Tom and I didn’t share any scenes on screen, but we happened to be at Cambridge during the same timeframe.
For a while, we lounged in the hotel lobby, sharing a bottle of wine. He offered me valuable suggestions for my role in the show, as well as tips on caring for Robson Green. It seems this guidance originally came from James and has been passed down to me.
In the television screen, it’s evident that Nair’s priest character deviates from his past counterparts. Unlike Sidney Chambers and Will Davenport, Alphy appears less tormented, according to Nair, is more optimistic and openly working class, and inherently distrustful of the police due to being a person of color in 1940s and 50s Britain. This initial suspicion even extends to his long-standing series companion, Robson Green, who plays DI Geordie Keating.
“As soon as Alphy lays eyes on Geordie,” chuckles Nair, “he immediately throws a punch at him.” Meanwhile, someone informs that a ‘dark-skinned man’ has entered the vicarage, and it’s suspected he may have forced his way in.
According to him, it’s clear that Alphy wouldn’t have fit in a peaceful village like Grantchester during the 1960s. He explains that it’s unrealistic to imagine that everyone would welcome him instantly, as it would have been challenging for him. In fact, we do explore this difficulty in our storyline.
In a particular moment, he enters the tavern, causing everyone to pause and gaze at him. While this event is significant enough to be highlighted, it’s crucial that it doesn’t dominate the entire season. Rest assured, there are still numerous mysteries to unravel here in Grantchester!
In numerous aspects, the casting choices in TV shows today appear to mirror a significant shift. For instance, Death in Paradise and Doctor Who have their first non-white leads with Don Gilet and Ncuti Gatwa respectively. Asiad Nair is content to contribute to this trend if it means that children like him won’t postpone their aspirations someday.
I’m hoping that watching someone of the same ethnicity as me in a leading role encourages younger kids to consider this as a real possibility for themselves, motivating them to pursue drama school. It would be more than just a distant dream; it could become a tangible goal.
“Is that what the vicar is – the nation’s heartthrob?” he says, slightly nervously.
“I think Robson might have something to say about that!”
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2025-01-07 18:03