FATHER BROWN Season 13 News

Father Brown, Season 13, is finally airing (February 3) on Britbox here in the U.S (one episode a week). There are 10 episodes. So glad it's not limited to 4 or even 3 episodes like so many series are these days. Several new settings and plots, too, in this season, including a trip to the seaside. Mrs McCarthy (Sorcha Cusack) returns in the first episode, and there are many guest stars. Nancy Carroll will show up as Lady Felicia once again, although not in all episodes (darn), and John Light continues his role as the infamous Hercule Flambeau. I am so missing Bunty. Of course, Mark Williams continues to play Father Brown.  

Re: BritBox premier vs. "regular" subscription: Premier only gives you a two week viewing lead on Father Brown, and episodes are dropped weekly, just as on 'regular' Britbox. Is Britbox finally listening to its subscribers? We'll see. 

Father Brown New Season

Father Brown, Series 12, was released today in the U.S. on BritBox. There will be weekly episodes of 45 minutes (ten episodes in Season 12). In other news,  there will be a Season 13 (2026). 

Season 12 will see Mark Williams return to the fan-favorite role, which he recently raved about saying: "The best thing about playing the character is that I am never, ever bored by him." 

Father Brown is a British period detective television series based on the iconic titular character, created by GK Chesterton who made the character popular with compelling short stories.

Returning alongside Mark Williams as Father Brown are Claudie Blakley as Mrs. Devine, Tom Chambers as Chief Inspector Sullivan, John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda, and John Light as Flambeau. 

I really miss Mrs McCarthy, Bundy, Lady Felicia Montague, and Sid Carter. The new characters just don't do it for me. What's your opinion?

Father Brown Series 12 News!

Britbox will release Father Brown, Series 12, on January 23, 2025, in the U.S. After that there will be a weekly episode of 45 minutes (ten episodes in Sseason 12). And, there will be a Season 13 (2026). 

Season 12 will see Mark Williams return to the fan-favorite role, which he recently raved about saying: "The best thing about playing the character is that I am never, ever bored by him." 

Father Brown is a British period detective television series based on the iconic titular character, created by GK Chesterton who made the character popular with compelling short stories.

Returning alongside Mark Williams as Father Brown are Claudie Blakley as Mrs. Devine, Tom Chambers as Chief Inspector Sullivan, John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda, and John Light as Flambeau.  

FATHER BROWN, SEASON 11, NOW ON BRITBOX

Just a heads up in case you missed it:

Father Brown, Season 11, is now on Britbox (U.S.) with 2 episodes. There will be one episode a week until the end of March. 10 episodes total. As a bonus, Sister Boniface will appear in one of Father Brown's adventures. And, watch out for Flambeau. He's back! Of course, I miss Mrs McCarthy. I feel she made the show, not to mention Lady Felicia and Bunty. Oh well, I'm still very much looking forward to the season. 

Here's the Season 11 synopsis from Tellyvisions:

The new season picks up in 1955 where Chief Inspector Sullivan and Mrs Devine have grown closer since we saw them last. Something which hasn't escaped the notice of Father Brown and Brenda.

With a food fayre to die for, a real life crime at a crime writing festival and a village rivalry that turns deadly at the local Olimpicks, there's plenty for the gang to be busy with. Father Brown and Sister Boniface become embroiled in a murder at an arts and crafts fair, while Brenda takes a trip in time to face ghosts from her past when an old friend, Dr McClurgy, reaches out. Meanwhile Father Brown's frenemy Flambeau returns with his estranged father, Gabriel, in tow and a dangerous mission in mind...

 

FATHER BROWN, Season 11 Premiere

Father Brown, Season 11, starts on Britbox (U.S.) on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 with 2 episodes. Then there will be one episode a week until the end of March. 10 episodes total. As a bonus, Sister Boniface will appear in one of Father Brown's adventures. And, watch out for Flambeau. He's back! Of course, I miss Mrs McCarthy. I feel she made the show, not to mention Lady Felicia and Bunty. Oh well, I'm still very much looking forward to the season. 

Here's the Season 11 synopsis from Tellyvisions:

The new season picks up in 1955 where Chief Inspector Sullivan and Mrs Devine have grown closer since we saw them last. Something which hasn't escaped the notice of Father Brown and Brenda.

With a food fayre to die for, a real life crime at a crime writing festival and a village rivalry that turns deadly at the local Olimpicks, there's plenty for the gang to be busy with. Father Brown and Sister Boniface become embroiled in a murder at an arts and crafts fair, while Brenda takes a trip in time to face ghosts from her past when an old friend, Dr McClurgy, reaches out. Meanwhile Father Brown's frenemy Flambeau returns with his estranged father, Gabriel, in tow and a dangerous mission in mind...

 

FATHER BROWN SEASON 10: Britbox

Good news! Season 10 of Father Brown will air on BritBox in the U.S. beginning June 13th, with 2 new episodes each week. There are a total of ten episodes of roughly 50 minutes each. The season has already begun in the U.K. 

Several regular characters have unfortunately left the series, notably Sorcha Cusack as Mrs. McCarthy, Jack Deam as Inspector Mallory, and Emer Kenny as Bunty Windermere. I will miss them, especially Mrs. McCarthy, but I have seen her on a few other shows recently. Good to know she's working. Claudie Blakley joins the cast as Mrs. Devine. Tom Chambers returns as Chief Inspector Sullivan.

Returning cast members Season 10: Mark Williams as Father Brown, John Burton as Sgt Goodfellow, John Light as M Hercule Flambeau, Nancy Carroll as Lady Felicia Montague, and Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda Palmer.

Can't wait!

SISTER BONIFACE, Season 2

Sister Boniface, a spin-off of the Father Brown series, is set for Season 2 to premiere on April 4th on Britbox in the U.S. There will be 10 episodes in Season 2.

Sister Boniface is played by Lorna Watson. This light-hearted series is set in the 1960s and stars Sister Boniface, a genius with a PhD in forensic science. She is an official Police Scientific Advisor working with DI Sam Gillespie and DS Felix Livingstone, advising them on all things forensic. Sister Boniface rides a moped, makes wine, and is a part time forensic scientist with the police. All this while living the 'contemplative' life, sort of. She does, though, really champion the victims and wants to see justice served. 

The official synopsis for Season 2: 

Sister Boniface is back in the habit, returning as the Great Slaughter Constabulary’s crime-solving secret weapon. Countryside criminals should start saying their Hail Marys, as Boniface’s faith in forensics is only rivaled by her passion for investigation.

“This series, the sister will force a murderer into checkmate at a chess tournament, take a spin through a pirate radio station, and defend her reputation as the conviction of her greatest adversary, The Pear Tree Poisoner, comes into question.”

FYI: Still no news on Season 11 of Father Brown. It does not look like we'll see any new episodes in 2023. I'll keep you posted.

SISTER BONIFACE debuts on BritBox

At last. The Sister Boniface Mysteries will debut on BritBox February 8 with 10 episodes. The series follows the adventures of Sister Boniface, Bride of Christ, vintner, and part-time Crime Scene Investigator. The character appeared in the very first season of Father Brown, and original actress Lorna Watson will reprise her role as the sleuthing nun. 

Set in rural Warwickshire during the 1960s, this is a time period in which the entire concept of police forensics is...rudimentary at best. DNA testing doesn't exist yet. Blood testing can take days. Trace evidence is in its infancy and the chain of custody - even the simple preservation - of crime scene evidence is hit or miss (as you probably recognize from the Father Brown episodes). But, the Great Slaughter Constabulary has a secret weapon in its fight against crime. 

Hidden deep in the countryside is St Vincent’s Convent, a small community of wine-making nuns is Sister Boniface. An IQ of 156 and a Ph.D. in forensic science, plus an addiction to popular detective fiction and a fully equipped crime laboratory make Boniface an invaluable aid to any police investigation. Poisons, trace evidence, bloodstains, and etymology. She’s often more up to speed on the latest forensic techniques than the Police. 

If there’s evidence to be found, Boniface will find it, with a little help from dashing maverick DI Sam Gillespie (Downton Abbey's Max Brown) and buttoned-up Bermudan DS Felix Livingstone (Sex Education's Jerry Iwu), who’s horrified to be stuck working in this eccentric town. Felix was supposed to be on secondment to the Metropolitan Police but an administrative error lands him in Great Slaughter. 

A cast of eccentric local characters combined with his boss’s reliance on a nun leaves him reeling. Although as Sam points out, that nun ensures they have the highest clean-up rate in the county. The character of Ruth Penny, a hard-nosed investigative journalist and the editor of the Albion Bugle, is played by Miranda Raison (Warrior), and Ami Metcalf (Allied) plays the role of Peggy Button, the young, unshakeable police constable. 

Additional cast members include Belinda Lang (Inspector Alleyn Mysteries), Sarah Crowden (Grantchester), David Sterne (Detectorists), Virginia Fiol (EastEnders), and Ivan Kaye (The Coroner). And, though it is obviously not confirmed in any way, it seems highly likely that Father Brown himself, Mark Walliams, will at least make some sort of cameo appearance in Sister Boniface's first season. The ten-part series will arrive on Britbox beginning Tuesday, February 8.