Tom Brittney took a risk when he left the hit ITV drama Grantchester, but it seems to have paid off. The actor, who played the role of clergyman Will Davenport, decided to pursue opportunities in Hollywood in 2023, a time when the industry was still reeling from a major strike.
Speaking to Metro, Tom revealed that he left Grantchester at a difficult time, with the strike putting a halt to all film and television production. 'I actually left, funny enough, at the time when the Hollywood strike happened,' he said. 'I left thinking I was going to go off to another job, and no one could work, so that really made a sad decision even sadder. I was just sat there unemployed for months and months, going, "What have I done?"'
However, it seems that Tom's gamble has paid off, as he is now starring in his biggest blockbuster role to date in The Westies, a new gangster series on MGM+. The show, which is based on the real-life Irish mob, follows the gang as they negotiate a partnership with the Italian crime family during the construction of the Javits Center.
Tom plays the role of Jimmy Roarke, the right-hand man to the head of the Irish mob, and says that he was drawn to the project because of its historical accuracy. 'I genuinely knew nothing about the Westies,' he said. 'When I saw the audition come through and it was based on a real-life gang, I Googled everything about them, and I was completely blown away that no one had done anything about them before.'
The show, which has been likened to Peaky Blinders, is described as 'Peaky Blinders across the pond' and follows the gang as they navigate their partnership with the Italians. Tom says that the show is a tribute to the real-life gang, who were known for their brutality and ruthlessness.
Tom has been praising his co-star JK Simmons, who plays the role of Eamon Sweeney, the head of the Irish mob. 'He's such a presence,' Tom said. 'He has this terrifying aura because we've seen him do some really scary roles, but he makes the set the most comfortable place to be and shows you how to lead.'
As for what's next for Tom, he has his sights set on playing the role of Bond, although he's also keen to explore his passion for investigative journalism, citing Louis Theroux as an inspiration. 'I'd really like to be an investigative journalist,' he said. 'I've watched so many documentaries. I'm listening to Serial again at the moment – they've got a new one.'
The Westies is available to stream on MGM+ from July 12.
