In Grantchester, the old is making way for the new as Will Davenport takes his leave, while Alphy Kotteram steps in as the new village vicar, also functioning as an unofficial investigative companion to Geordie Keating.
Rishi Nair is the third actor to step into the part, following the departure of Tom Brittney and James Norton previously.
However, despite the predictable structure of the ITV period drama, the protagonist’s journey to find his footing was initially disrupted due to a single significant factor: his ethnic background.
Unlike Sidney, Will, or any other character on the show at present, Alphy is not Caucasian but has South Asian Indian heritage. This unique characteristic initially met with surprise and hostility from his newly-acquired congregation.
As soon as Mrs C noticed a man with dark complexion walking into the vicarage, an automatic prejudice arose within her, causing her to hurry over to Geordie to report what she believed was a burglary.
Mrs. C never entertained the thought that he might be taking Will’s place, not even when his red sports car was parked outside or when he was dressed in a suede jacket and shoes that resembled a burglar’s attire. She also didn’t contemplate going over to introduce herself for a better understanding of who this gentleman was.
Rather than him, the color of his skin triggered an immediate sign of guilt, causing Alphy’s survival instinct to activate. This resulted in a shattered collection of dishes and another painful realization that, unlike his white peers, he is judged by a higher standard.
Alphy’s first appearance in Grantchester subtly illustrates that the same setting may hold diverse interpretations for various individuals.
To those with a fair complexion, the picturesque village of Cambridgeshire seems an inviting spot to establish oneself (let’s avoid dwelling on the tragedies, shall we). However, upon entering this environment as someone who stands out due to ethnicity or appearance, the scene can suddenly appear menacing. This is suggested when he steps into the local pub for the first time.
As patrons lift their glasses, an eerie silence envelops the space, as if they’ve been whisked into a dusty Old West saloon, moments before a showdown.
The men don’t speak, but they don’t have to. Their distrust and disdain is palpable.
Regardless of whether everyone had eagerly approached to greet him and accept his invitation for a beverage, as the only person of color amidst a crowd of whites, it would have already felt uncomfortably exposing. However, this sensation would have intensified significantly after encountering their unwelcoming or absent gestures.
As a passionate cinephile, I would’ve foreseen all this, naturally, but that wouldn’t have made the experience any less agonizing or draining. No matter how much self-preparation I undertook, it can’t be simple to stand before a crowded room only to find myself unheard, or deliver my thoughts to an empty auditorium because everyone seems “too busy.” It’s an arduous task indeed.
However, despite his ability to conceal his feelings effectively, there are instances where Alphy’s friendly facade briefly fades, revealing the impact of continuous minor insults or slights, which can be likened to the effect of countless small cuts, upon him.
In one specific moment, Mrs C mentions him being from an “empire,” and he lets out a sigh – this reaction is due not only to that comment but also to the numerous insults he’ll have to endure throughout his time as a vicar, serving as a subtle yet noticeable indication of the burden he constantly bears.
It wouldn’t be reasonable to anticipate an entirely favorable response from the Grantchester fanbase regarding Alphy’s arrival.
Some people, similar to the traditional villagers, might criticize Nair’s casting entirely. However, there will also be those who approve of the character being portrayed by someone of color but prefer not to follow a prolonged narrative about racism spread over numerous episodes compared to occasional episodes on the subject instead.
But as Nair noted ahead of season 9’s arrival, it would have been remiss to ignore the subject.
He mentioned that if he had arrived in Grantchester in 1962 and everyone had been completely friendly and accepting without any issues arising, which he finds hard to believe, it wouldn’t have accurately reflected the society of that time.
In present-day Grantchester, the town has a predominantly white population. Thus, envisioning Alphy entering this village in 1962 might have proven challenging due to societal norms and attitudes of the time.
As a cinephile, by the finale of the third episode, I found myself surprisingly comfortable, and it’s not hard to see why some might argue that this sense of familiarity arrived a bit too quickly or was perhaps overly sentimentalized.
However, if Alphy wants to fully triumph in his writing this season, overcoming his “newcomer” label won’t be enough. Some people hold onto a longstanding prejudice, and for Alphy, shaking off that stigma may prove difficult due to the subtle yet pervasive impact of racism.
In order for Alphy to gain acceptance, he’ll need to put in double the effort. However, once he manages to join, it’s considered more of a special favor than something he’s entitled to, and that acceptance can be taken away at any moment.
Unlike the Grantchester vicars of old, Alphy’s acceptance must be earned, not given.
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2025-01-23 01:34