Father Brown is back! Filming has begun on series 12 of the internationally successful drama (2024)

As we start the 12th season of Father Brown I feel like I’m starting to get to know him. He’s a mysterious sort of bloke, the sort of person who you can never predict other than knowing he won’t do what you expect. The best thing about playing the character is that I am never, ever bored by him.”

BBC One Daytime has ordered two more series of the internationally popular crime drama Father Brown, made by BBC Studios Drama Productions for BBC One and iPlayer. The news of series 12 and 13 comes as filming for series 12 gets underway in the Cotswolds.

Mark Williams is back as Father Brown, the charismatic clergyman sleuth based on the classic character created by GK Chesterton. The cosy-crime series also sees the return of popular cast members Tom Chambers as Chief Inspector Sullivan, Claudie Blakley as Mrs Devine, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda and John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow.

Following the exciting proposal at the end of series 11, the sleepy village of Kembleford is abuzz with good news as Mrs Devine (Claudie Blakley) and Chief Inspector Sullivan (Tom Chambers) look forward to their upcoming wedding. But when a surprise visit from the father of the groom quickly throws preparations into turmoil, will they even make it to the church?

Mark Williams says: “As we start the 12th season of Father Brown I feel like I’m starting to get to know him. He’s a mysterious sort of bloke, the sort of person who you can never predict other than knowing he won’t do what you expect. The best thing about playing the character is that I am never, ever bored by him.”

Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning Rob Unsworth comments, “Father Brown is a real favourite with Daytime and iPlayer viewers, so we couldn’t be more excited to commission both series 12 and 13 together, giving audiences another two years of new episodes to look forward to, and underlining our continued commitment to commissioning drama in the Midlands.”

Neil Irvine, Executive Producer for BBC Studios Drama Productions says: “I’m delighted that Father Brown will be cycling back onto our screens for a further two series. The show has an enduring magic which has captured the imagination of viewers across the globe - a testament to Mark’s magnetic performance, compelling storytelling and our talented Midlands crew. Series 12 will introduce Father Brown’s biggest fan, amateur playwright Father Lindsey and a deadly new nemesis, alongside the return of some old favourites.”

With a medieval death at a Tudor battle re-enactment, Mrs Devine finding herself accused of murder, Sergeant Goodfellow’s professional future thrown into question and Brenda ballroom dancing on national television, Father Brown and the gang are busier than ever. And when a Cardinal from the Vatican arrives with a top-secret mission for Father Brown, the priest must request the help of his old adversary Flambeau, while a new nemesis lurks in the shadows…

Father Brown, which first aired on BBC Daytime in 2013, is now a global success with 120 episodes made. Father Brown’s 11th series recently concluded on screen and averaged 2.5 million viewers. The series continues to be a hit internationally and is viewed by audiences in US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, India, Italy, France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, South Korea and Japan.

Father Brown is a BBC Studios Drama Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, commissioned by Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak commissioning. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Drama Productions is Neil Irvine and the Series Producer is David Innes Edwards. Helen Munson is the Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime. BBC Studios distributes Father Brown internationally.

Father Brown series 12 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer early next year.

  • For more information for the latest series: FM
  • For more information on the commissioning announcement: HD3

Notes

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group with sales of £2.1 billion (2021/22: £1,630 million). Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the global Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Channels & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. Around 2,500 hours of award-winning British programmes are made by the business every year, with over 80% of total BBC Studios revenues coming from non-BBC customers including Discovery, Apple and Netflix. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC.com is BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, offering up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features.

BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram |

Father Brown is back! Filming has begun on series 12 of the internationally successful drama (2024)

FAQs

Is Father Brown returning in 2024? ›

BritBox has confirmed Father Brown's return to streaming for American viewers in 2024 for Season 11, and that everyone's favorite vespa-riding nun will breeze into town to join him.

Where is Father Brown filmed in 2024? ›

The popular series revolves around a roman catholic priest, played by Mark Williams, who solves crimes. The cast is commonly seen in Blockley in the Cotswolds but has also been caught filming further away in Worcester.

What happened to Mrs. McCarthy on Father Brown? ›

Mrs. McCarthy is no longer Father Brown's parish secretary as she has left Kembleford and returned to Ireland to live closer to her sister. Lady Felicia Montague née Windermere – Nancy Carroll (2013–2016 as a lead character): a glamorous but bored socialite who comes from an old and noble recusant family.

What happened to the Father Brown series? ›

The beloved BBC drama is returning for more! There's good news for Father Brown fans as the BBC have renewed the daytime drama for season 12, meaning plenty more mystery to follow with the crime-solving priest, played by Mark Williams.

Is bunty leaving Father Brown? ›

This trio of actors, who respectively play the roles of Bridgette McCarthy, Inspector Mallory and Bunty Windermere, will not feature in the new series of Father Brown. Some viewers may be saddened by this, but there is a reason behind this move, as explained by star John Burton.

Is Lady Felicia coming back to Father Brown? ›

Burton confirmed: “For the moment, we have said goodbye to a few characters who have been brilliant to work with over the years, BUT we welcome back Chief Inspector Sullivan and of course, Lady Felicia and Flambeau.

Why did Jack Deam leave Father Brown? ›

"So it means we do have some absentees this year, with a few long-term artists moving onto other projects for their own career progression. "This is part of an actor's life, and we must go where the work takes us." With this in mind, it seems Jack left the series to explore new roles.

Where is Upshott Cotswolds slow horses? ›

What is the village in Slow Horses? The village in Slow Horses is Upshott, which is set in the Cotswolds. The actual filming took place in Stroud, in Gloucestershire, and Castle Combe, in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (or Cotswolds AONB).

Is there really a Kembleford in England? ›

Kembleford is the fictional village where the majority of Father Brown takes place. It is located in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds and in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton. The village is near to the equally fictional Hambleston, Burrywick and Wedlock.

Why was Sid written out of Father Brown? ›

Sid Carter's absence has been glaring especially with Lady Felicia also been written out of the series. The reality is that actor Alex Price has been busy in the theatre to do the new series.

Why did Sorcha Cusack leave Mrs. Brown? ›

So, it seems that Sorcha left the series to try something new. However, from what John said, it looks like the door might still be open for her to come back.

Will Sid return to Father Brown? ›

Price, 37, portrayed the artful dodger Sid on Father Brown, appearing in the show from 2013 to 2016 as a regular cast member. He then became a recurring guest character between 2017 and 2020 before becoming a regular again in 2022.

Will Father Brown return in 2024? ›

Filming for season 12 Father Brown episodes, currently scheduled to begin in Spring 2024, has been given the green light. The long running BBC One daytime period dramedy, starring Mark Williams as the series titular Father Brown, has been part of the metaphorical furniture for television viewers since 2013.

Has Father Brown gone downhill? ›

Season 10 is where it all rapidly goes down hill. Father Brown himself stays the same, along with Goodfellow, but the replacements characters that were needed to fil the gaps left by Sorcha Cusack, Nancy Carroll and Emer Kenny are just dreadful.

What is Brenda's accent in Father Brown? ›

In fact, Brenda has revealed that she is so good at doing her Geordie accent that she has even fooled locals who believed she was a born and bred northerner.

Is Father Brown coming back in 2025? ›

Fans of cozy crime television have something to look forward to: Father Brown is set to return for both a 12th and 13th season on the BBC in early 2025.

Is Sid coming back to Father Brown? ›

Price, 37, portrayed the artful dodger Sid on Father Brown, appearing in the show from 2013 to 2016 as a regular cast member. He then became a recurring guest character between 2017 and 2020 before becoming a regular again in 2022.

Why did the actress who played Lady Felicia leave Father Brown? ›

She left the regular cast at the start of Season 5 after her husband was appointed Governor of Northern Rhodesia.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 5920

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.