Father Brown (2013 TV Series)
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''Father Brown'' is a detective
period Period may refer to: Common uses * Era, a length or span of time * Full stop (or period), a punctuation mark Arts, entertainment, and media * Period (music), a concept in musical composition * Periodic sentence (or rhetorical period), a concept ...
comedy drama
television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...
loosely based on the
Father Brown Father Brown is a fictional Roman Catholic priest and amateur detective who is featured in 53 short stories published between 1910 and 1936 written by English author G. K. Chesterton. Father Brown solves mysteries and crimes using his intui ...
short stories by G. K. Chesterton, starring Mark Williams as the crime-solving
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in partic ...
. Broadcast began on
BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's flagship network and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, ...
on 14 January 2013. The ninth series premiered on BBC One on 3 January 2022. The show has been renewed for a 10th season which will premiere January 2023.


Synopsis

The series is set in England during the early 1950s. Father Brown is the priest at St Mary's Catholic Church in the fictional village of Kembleford, located in
Gloucestershire Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean. The county town is the city of Gl ...
in the Cotswolds. Britain is struggling with the aftermath of
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, and
rationing Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, services, or an artificial restriction of demand. Rationing controls the size of the ration, which is one's allowed portion of the resources being distributed on a particular ...
is still in effect. An empathetic man of keen intelligence, Father Brown solves murder cases when members of his parish are involved, when circumstances are strange enough to gain his interest, or when he is directly asked for help. During his investigations, Father Brown occasionally neglects his more mundane parish duties. He is often helped by the parish secretary, Bridgette McCarthy (all series), and his housekeeper, Susie Jasinski (Series 1 only). He is also sometimes aided by socialite Lady Felicia Montague; her driver, Sid Carter (a former criminal); and her niece, Bunty Windermere. Father Brown's interest in local cases and his habit of offering advice and pointing out clues often annoy the local
police inspector Inspector, also police inspector or inspector of police, is a police rank. The rank or position varies in seniority depending on the organization that uses it. Australia In Australian police forces, the rank of inspector is generally the ne ...
. Father Brown holds no animosity towards the police, but he often embarrasses them with his investigations. During
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, Father Brown served in the
British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...
. His experiences as a veteran, along with his
vocation A vocation () is an occupation to which a person is especially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. People can be given information about a new occupation through student orientation. Though now often used in non-religious ...
as a priest, give him great insight into human nature as well as a desire to offer forgiveness and redemption, wishing to serve his concept of justice rather than strictly following the letter of the law and condemning the guilty. Father Brown is obedient to the
Seal of confession in the Catholic Church In the Catholic Church, the Seal of Confession (also known as the Seal of the Confessional or the Sacramental Seal) is the absolute duty of priests or anyone who happens to hear a confession not to disclose anything that they learn from penitent ...
. When confronting criminals, he sometimes offers to hear their explanations and confessions without judgment. While he then urges them to admit their crimes to the authorities and accept responsibility, he also promises he won't reveal their actions or prevent their escape if they choose otherwise.


Characters

*
Father Brown Father Brown is a fictional Roman Catholic priest and amateur detective who is featured in 53 short stories published between 1910 and 1936 written by English author G. K. Chesterton. Father Brown solves mysteries and crimes using his intui ...
Mark Williams (2013–present): a slightly rumpled, shambolic, and mild-mannered Roman Catholic priest who, by appearance, is easily forgotten. His apparent innocence belies a playful wit and a razor-sharp intellect. His greatest strength, both as a priest and as a detective of crime, is his love and understanding of other people. He's not there to judge but to save souls. He is a veteran of both
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
and
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, having served with the Gloucestershire Regiment in both wars (as an infantryman in the first war and as a
Catholic chaplain A chaplain is, traditionally, a cleric (such as a minister, priest, pastor, rabbi, purohit, or imam), or a lay representative of a religious tradition, attached to a secular institution (such as a hospital, prison, military unit, intelligence ...
in the second). * Mrs. Bridgette McCarthy ''née Maguire'' –
Sorcha Cusack Sorcha Cusack (; born 9 April 1949) is an Irish television and stage actress. Her numerous television credits include playing the title role in ''Jane Eyre'' (1973), '' Casualty'' (1994–1997), ''Coronation Street'' (2008) and ''Father Brown'' ...
(2013–2022): the Irish
parish A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one o ...
secretary at St Mary's. She checks the facts for Father Brown, acts as his confidante on official Church business and everything else, is steadfastly loyal to Father Brown, and defends him from the ire of the congregation; she also makes sure he eats. She has a tendency to brag about her award-winning strawberry scones. Mrs. McCarthy is a frequent gossip – though claims she is not – and shares a love/hate relationship with Lady Felicia, although both women eventually admit to being close friends. She is married but leaves her husband after he returns from having lived with another woman following the war. * Felicia, Lady Montague ''née Windermere'' –
Nancy Carroll Nancy Carroll (born Ann Veronica Lahiff; November 19, 1903 – August 6, 1965) was an American actress. She started her career in Broadway musicals and then became an actress in sound films and was in many films from 1927 to 1938. She was t ...
(2013–2016 as a lead character): a bored socialite and
Countess Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...
, apparently from an old
recusant Recusancy (from la, recusare, translation=to refuse) was the state of those who remained loyal to the Catholic Church and refused to attend Church of England services after the English Reformation. The 1558 Recusancy Acts passed in the reign ...
family, with a roving eye when her husband, Monty, is away. She is a staunch supporter of Father Brown and frequent nemesis of Mrs. McCarthy, despite grudging respect between the women. She left at the start of series 5 after her husband was appointed
Governor of Northern Rhodesia The Governor of Northern Rhodesia was the representative of the British Monarch The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the constitutional form of government by which a hereditary sovereign rei ...
, but made a guest appearance in series 6, ''The Face of the Enemy'', in series 7 in two episodes (''The Great Train Robbery'' and ''The Honourable Thief''), and in series 8, ''The Celestial Choir''. * Sidney "Sid" Carter – Alex Price (2013–2016, 2022 as a lead character): An
artful dodger Jack Dawkins, better known as the Artful Dodger, is a character in Charles Dickens's 1838 novel '' Oliver Twist''. The Dodger is a pickpocket, so called for his skill and cunning in that occupation. He is the leader of the gang of child criminal ...
, Sid is an occasional black marketeer, part-time crook and informant who becomes Lady Felicia's chauffeur. Father Brown makes him the church
handyman A handyman, also known as a fixer, handyperson or handyworker, is a person skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically around the home. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, are both interior and exterior, and are so ...
while trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. He has a unique talent for being able to talk his way into any situation in order to help Father Brown search for the truth. During his time in Kembleford, he manages to gain the trust and respect of both Father Brown and Mrs. McCarthy, who come to value him as a close friend. Indeed, in series 5 episode ''The Sins of Others'', Father Brown says that he is the closest thing he has ever had to a son. He is also known to share a close bond with The Honourable Penelope "Bunty" Windermere. Father Brown often relies on Sid's skills and links to the criminal underworld of Kembleford to help him solve a case. Originally a regular character, he often makes guest appearances notably in series 5, ''The Sins of Others'', 2016 Christmas Special, ''The Tree of Truth'', series 6, ''The Face of the Enemy'' and series 8, ''The River Corrupted''. In series 9. he returned as a lead character. * Zuzanna "Susie" Jasinski – Kasia Koleczek (2013): Father Brown's part-time housekeeper, who lives in a nearby post-war Polish resettlement camp. Her true first name was revealed in the episode ''The Eye of Apollo''. * The Honourable Penelope "Bunty" Windermere –
Emer Kenny Emer Gwynne Morganna Kenny (born 10 October 1989) is a British actress and screenwriter. Career Kenny made her professional debut in the 2007 BBC television drama ''Coming Down the Mountain'', and, in 2009, she made her film debut in Phil Clayd ...
(2017–2020 as a lead character): the wayward niece of Lady Felicia (the daughter of her brother Viscount Windermere) seeking refuge after being photographed leaving a sleazy nightclub with a married man and cited in divorce proceedings. She has had to adapt to life in Kembleford and has become a close friend of both Father Brown and Mrs McCarthy, who she often refers to as simply 'Mrs. M'. It becomes apparent throughout the series that both women share a mutual respect for one another despite often being at odds with each other. * Inspector Valentine –
Hugo Speer Hugo Alexander Speer (born 17 March 1968) is an English actor and director. Early life and education Hugo Speer was born in Harrogate in the then West Riding of Yorkshire and educated at Harrogate Grammar School. He studied acting at the Arts ...
(2013–2014): head of the local police force who finds himself constantly torn between secret admiration for Father Brown and deep frustration with him. He would like to collaborate but has been burnt once too often by Brown's unorthodox moral code. Nevertheless, he comes to respect his methods and even admits when he is promoted to Detective Chief Inspector and moved to London that he might miss Father Brown. Valentine returns in the final episode of series 8, ''The Tower of Lost Souls'' * Inspector Sullivan – Tom Chambers (2014–2015): replaced Inspector Valentine at the start of the second series. Sullivan too is exasperated by Father Brown's meddling but is eventually won over. He made a guest appearance as a Special Branch officer in series 7, ''The Sacrifice of Tantalus'' under the alias of Inspector Truman. He also appears in the final episode of series 8, ''The Tower of Lost Souls'' * Inspector Mallory –
Jack Deam Jack Deam (born Ian Deam; 1972) is an English actor. He used his grandfather's name for his stage name. His most notable performances have been as the pyromaniac Marty Fisher, who has Tourette syndrome, in Channel 4's comedy drama series, '' ...
(2016–present): replaces Inspector Sullivan. Like his predecessors, he is often exasperated by Father Brown, whom he sarcastically refers to as "Padre". However, he is a far more open-minded, and occasionally resourceful, detective, and chases after leads with great enthusiasm, even when they lead him to the wrong conclusion. * Sergeant Albright – Keith Osborn (2013–2014): played
dogsbody A dogsbody, dog's body, or less commonly dog robber is someone who does menial or drudge work.''Oxford English Dictionary'', 3rd edition, 2010''s.v.''/ref> Originally, in the British Royal Navy, a dogsbody was a semi-sarcastic colloquialism for a ...
to Inspectors Valentine and Sullivan. * Sergeant Goodfellow – John Burton (2014–present): continued playing the
dogsbody A dogsbody, dog's body, or less commonly dog robber is someone who does menial or drudge work.''Oxford English Dictionary'', 3rd edition, 2010''s.v.''/ref> Originally, in the British Royal Navy, a dogsbody was a semi-sarcastic colloquialism for a ...
for the Inspector with increasing involvement. Credited in the opening beginning in series 5. * M. Hercule FlambeauJohn Light (2013–present): nemesis of Father Brown; jewel and art thief, seems to be without conscience. He and Father Brown have encountered each other at least once in every series; in series four he reveals he has a daughter, Marianne Delacroix, whom he had never met.


Recurring roles

* Bishop Talbot –
Malcolm Storry Malcolm Storry (born 13 January 1948) is an English actor with extensive experience on stage, television, and film. Amongst many roles, he is perhaps best known for 'Yellin' in ''The Princess Bride'', HM Customs Chief Bill Adams on '' The Knock' ...
(2013–2015): he appeared in three episodes. Talbot is Father Brown's superior and doesn't like his sleuthing, but respects him for solving the mysteries. In ''The Daughter of Autolycus'', his death was mentioned. He is succeeded by Bishop Reynard (
Michael Pennington Michael Vivian Fyfe Pennington (born 7 June 1943) is a British actor, director and writer. Together with director Michael Bogdanov, he founded the English Shakespeare Company in 1986 and was its Joint Artistic Director until 1992. He has writ ...
). * Harold "Blind 'Arry" Slow – Alan Williams (2017–present): he appeared in four episodes. 'Arry is the rag and bone man for Kembleford and also a drunk. In ''The Darkest Noon'' he mentioned that he got the name "Blind 'Arry" after being gassed in
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
and he also mentions he was a
Sapper A sapper, also called a pioneer or combat engineer, is a combatant or soldier who performs a variety of military engineering duties, such as breaching fortifications, demolitions, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, preparing ...
. * Professor Hilary Ambrose –
James Laurenson James Laurenson (born 17 February 1940) is a New Zealand stage and screen actor. Early life Laurenson was born in Marton, North Island, New Zealand. He was a student at Canterbury University College in Christchurch (now University of Canter ...
(2014–present): he has appeared in two episodes. Ambrose is a theological scholar and friend of Father Brown. * Canon Damien Fox – Roger May (2016–present): he appeared in two episodes. Fox is part of the Diocese and reports to Bishop Reynard. * Katherine Corven –
Kate O'Flynn Kate O'Flynn is a British actress. She is known for her performance in National Theatre's production of ''Port'' for which she received a Critics' Circle Theatre Award in 2013, as well as starring roles in plays ''A Taste of Honey'' in 2014, a ...
(2017–2018): she appeared in two episodes. In ''The Eagle and the Daw'', she was in prison for murdering her husband. Father Brown had helped to convict her and was awaiting her execution. In ''The Jackdaw's Revenge'', she was cleared of the murder of her husband when someone else confessed: later in the episode she died from a gunshot. * Daniel Whittaker – Daniel Flynn (2015–present): he appeared in two episodes. Whittaker is a ruthless
MI5 The Security Service, also known as MI5 ( Military Intelligence, Section 5), is the United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), G ...
agent who blackmails Lady Felicia. In ''The Man in the Shadows'', he had Sid arrested on false charges after he entered an MI5 room. In ''The Face of the Enemy'', he compelled Lady Felicia to steal (by substitution) a roll of film from one of her lovers, an alleged Soviet spy, and had her arrested on false charges. Father Brown persuaded him to let her go. * Marianne Delacroix –
Gina Bramhill Gina Bramhill (born 30 July 1986) is a British actress. Background Gina Bramhill was born in Eastoft, where she grew up on a farm, and was educated at South Axholme Academy and John Leggott College. As a child, she appeared in several scho ...
(2016–present). Flambeau's daughter is equally adept at theft. Two episodes. * Gerald Firth/Kalon – Michael Maloney (2013–present). Founder and leader of the cult-like Church of Apollo. Two episodes.


Cast

* Mark Williams as Father Brown *
Sorcha Cusack Sorcha Cusack (; born 9 April 1949) is an Irish television and stage actress. Her numerous television credits include playing the title role in ''Jane Eyre'' (1973), '' Casualty'' (1994–1997), ''Coronation Street'' (2008) and ''Father Brown'' ...
as Mrs. Bridgette McCarthy *
Hugo Speer Hugo Alexander Speer (born 17 March 1968) is an English actor and director. Early life and education Hugo Speer was born in Harrogate in the then West Riding of Yorkshire and educated at Harrogate Grammar School. He studied acting at the Arts ...
as Inspector Valentine (series 1–series 2, episode 1; series 8, episode 10) *
Nancy Carroll Nancy Carroll (born Ann Veronica Lahiff; November 19, 1903 – August 6, 1965) was an American actress. She started her career in Broadway musicals and then became an actress in sound films and was in many films from 1927 to 1938. She was t ...
as Lady Felicia Montague (series 1–series 5, episode 2; series 6, episode 1 and 5; series 7, episode 1 and 10; series 8, episode 1; series 9, episode 5 and 10) * Alex Price as Sid Carter (series 1–4; series 5, episode 11; series 6, episode 1 and 5; series 8, episode 7; series 9) * Kasia Koleczek as Susie Jasinski (series 1) * Keith Osborn as Sergeant Albright (series 1–2) * Tom Chambers as Inspector Sullivan (series 2–3; series 7, episode 6; series 8, episode 10) * John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow (series 2–present) *
Jack Deam Jack Deam (born Ian Deam; 1972) is an English actor. He used his grandfather's name for his stage name. His most notable performances have been as the pyromaniac Marty Fisher, who has Tourette syndrome, in Channel 4's comedy drama series, '' ...
as Inspector Mallory (series 4–present) *
Emer Kenny Emer Gwynne Morganna Kenny (born 10 October 1989) is a British actress and screenwriter. Career Kenny made her professional debut in the 2007 BBC television drama ''Coming Down the Mountain'', and, in 2009, she made her film debut in Phil Clayd ...
as Penelope (Bunty) Windermere (series 5–8, series 9, episode 8 and 10) * John Light as M. Hercule Flambeau (recurring guest – appearing in one episode per series (two episodes in series 9)) ''For series 9, only Mark Williams and John Burton appear in all episodes. Nancy Carroll (2 episodes), Sorcha Cusack (8 episodes), Jack Deam (9 episodes), Emer Kenny (2 episodes) and Alex Price (6 episodes) only receive Main Cast credits in the opening credits for the episodes in which they appear.''


Guest stars

Barry Sloane Barry Sloane (born Barry Paul Sloan;''Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916–2005''; at ancestry.com 10 February 1981) is an English actor. He has appeared in numerous television shows, and in the BAFTA Award–winning telev ...
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Fern Deacon Fern Saffron Deacon (born 1 September 1998) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Chloe Voyle on the Channel 4 drama ''Ackley Bridge'' and Agnes on the CBBC series ''Hetty Feather''. Early life Fern Saffron Deacon was born on 1 ...
,
Julian Wadham Julian Neil Rohan Wadham (born 7 August 1958) is an English actor of stage, film and television. He was educated at Ampleforth College and the Central School of Speech and Drama, third son of Rohan Nicholas Wadham DFC and Juliana Wadham, née ...
,
Ruth Gemmell Ruth Katrin Gemmell (born October 1967) is an English actress. She starred in the film ''Fever Pitch'' in 1997 which was followed by supporting roles in television series ''EastEnders'', '' Casualty'', '' Home Fires'' and '' Penny Dreadful.'' ...
, Sam Jackson,
Louise Brealey Louise Brealey (born 27 March 1979), also credited as Loo Brealey, is an English actress, writer and journalist. She played Molly Hooper in '' Sherlock'', Cass in ''Back'', Scottish professor Jude McDermid in ''Clique'', Gillian Chamberlain in ...
,
Ryan Hawley Ryan Alexander Hawley (born 21 September 1985) is an English actor, known for his portrayal of Robert Sugden in the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'' from 2014 to 2019. Early life Hawley, son of Christine and Steve, spent his childhood partly in ...
, Poppy Drayton, Caroline Blakiston,
Angus Imrie Angus William Jake Imrie (born 2 August 1994) is a British actor. He is known for playing the character Josh Archer in BBC Radio 4's long-running drama serial ''The Archers''. In 2014, he won the casting agency Spotlight's Most Promising Actor ...
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Susannah Fielding Susannah Glanville-Hearson"Drama: High profile OB actors"
...
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Marcia Warren Marcia Warren (born 26 November 1942) is an English stage, film and television actress. On stage, she appeared in ''Blithe Spirit'' as Madame Arcati and '' The Sea'' (2008) at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. She is currently appearing in Netflix' ...
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David Troughton David Troughton (born 9 June 1950) is an English actor. He is known for his Shakespearean roles on the British stage and for his many roles on British television, including Dr Bob Buzzard in ''A Very Peculiar Practice'' and Ricky Hanson in ''Ne ...
,
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Frank Grimes Frank Grimes (born 1947) is an Irish stage and screen actor. Grimes was born in Dublin. He achieved his first major success as the young Brendan Behan in the 1967 stage adaptation of Behan's autobiography, ''Borstal Boy'', at the Abbey Theatre. ...
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Annette Badland Annette Badland (born 26 August 1950) is an English actress known for a wide range of roles on television, radio, stage, and film. She is best known for her roles as Margaret Blaine in the BBC science fiction series ''Doctor Who'', Mrs. Glen ...
, Guy Henry, Kiruna Stamell,
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Roberta Taylor Roberta Alexandra Mary Taylor (''née'' Roberts; born 26 February 1948) is an English actress and author. She is known for her roles of Irene Raymond in ''EastEnders'' (1997–2000), and Inspector Gina Gold in ''The Bill'' (2002–2008). Career ...
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James Fleet James Edward Fleet (born 11 March 1952) is an English actor of theatre, radio and screen. He is most famous for his roles as the bumbling and well-meaning Tom in the 1994 British romantic comedy film '' Four Weddings and a Funeral'' and the dim- ...
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Robert Cavanah Robert Cavanah is a Scottish stage and film actor, writer, director and producer. Biography Robert Cavanah was born in Edinburgh. He attended James Gillespie's High School in Edinburgh followed by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dra ...
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Emma Fielding Emma Georgina Annalies Fielding (born 07 October 1964 in Catterick, North Riding of Yorkshire) is an English actress. Biography The daughter of a British Army officer, Colonel Johnny Fielding, and Sheila Fielding, she was raised Catholic and ...
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Claudia Jessie Claudia Jessie (born 1989/1990) is an English actress. She is known for her roles in the third series of the BBC One police procedural ''WPC 56'' (2015) and as Eloise, the fifth Bridgerton child, in the Netflix period drama ''Bridgerton'' (202 ...
, Steffan Rhodri,
Poppy Corby-Tuech Poppy Colette Corby-Tuech (born 1987) is a British actress. She is known for portraying Prudence in the E! soap opera '' The Royals'', and for her role as Vinda Rosier in ''Fantastic Beasts''. Early life Corby-Tuech was born to Michel Corby-Tuec ...
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, Steven Miller,
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Tracy-Ann Oberman Tracy-Ann Oberman (born Tracy Anne Oberman; 25 August 1966) is an English actress, playwright and narrator. She is widely known for roles including Chrissie Watts in the BBC soap opera '' EastEnders'' (2004–2005) and Valerie Lewis or "Auntie ...
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, Adrian Scarborough,
Pip Torrens Philip D'Oyly "Pip" Torrens (born 2 June 1960) is an English actor. Known for playing urbane, authoritative figures, Torrens portrayed courtier Tommy Lascelles in the Netflix drama ''The Crown'', aristocrat Lord Massen in the HBO series ''Th ...
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Vincenzo Nicoli Vincenzo Nicoli (born 27 July 1958) is a British actor who appears in film, television and theatre. He is best known for roles in blockbuster films, such as Alan Jude in the 1992 science fiction film '' Alien³'' (1992), Enrico Biscaglia in the ...
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Frances Barber Frances Barber (née Brookes, born 13 May 1958) is an English actress. She received Olivier Award nominations for her work in the plays '' Camille'' (1985), and ''Uncle Vanya'' (1997). Her film appearances include three collaborations with Gar ...
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Adrian Rawlins Adrian John Rawlins (born 27 March 1958) is an English actor best known for playing Arthur Kidd in ''The Woman in Black'' and James Potter in the ''Harry Potter'' films. In 2019, he starred in ''Chernobyl'' as Nikolai Fomin. Early life Rawlin ...
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Ronni Ancona Veronica "Ronni" Jane Ancona (born 4 July 1966)''England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916–2007'' is a British actress, comedian, impressionist and writer best known for '' The Big Impression'', which she co-wrote and starred in an ...
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is the only actor to appear in both the 1974 series and the 2013 series.
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is the real-life husband of
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. The pair did not share any scenes in the 2016 episode "The Daughter of Autolycus".
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, played Mrs McCarthy's sister Roisin in the 2020 episode "The Numbers of the Beast".


Conception

BBC Daytime wanted a home-grown detective series for the weekday afternoons on BBC One. Original ideas from writers were pitched, but the BBC wanted something that was less risky and already well known. Father Brown had not been filmed for British television since the 1970s with
Kenneth More Kenneth Gilbert More, CBE (20 September 1914 – 12 July 1982) was an English film and stage actor. Initially achieving fame in the comedy '' Genevieve'' (1953), he appeared in many roles as a carefree, happy-go-lucky gent. Films from this per ...
. Executive Producer John Yorke came up with the idea after hearing a radio documentary about G. K. Chesterton presented by
Ann Widdecombe Ann Noreen Widdecombe (born 4 October 1947) is a British politician, author and television personality. She was Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidstone and The Weald, and the former Maidstone constituency, from 1987 to 2010 and Member of the ...
. Writers were given the choice of adapting an existing story or coming up with an original idea. The Chesterton stories were set all over the world and at different times. Although half of the episodes in the first series were loosely based on the Chesterton stories, a decision was made to restrict the programme's location and date. The Cotswolds was chosen because it had few modern buildings and was close to the production base in Birmingham. The 1950s were chosen because the detective could solve puzzles using his mind and knowledge of human nature instead of relying on modern technology. Despite this, the script sometimes includes anachronistic language (e.g., "secure the crime scene", "mojo"). The lead writers, Rachel Flowerday and Tahsin Guner, created the supporting characters. Other writers contributed stand-alone scripts that were not part of a story arc.


Production

The series is a
BBC Studios BBC Studios is a British content company. It is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC that was formed in April 2018 through the merger of the BBC's commercial production arm and the BBC's commercial international distribution arm, BBC Worldwide. ...
Birmingham Drama Village production and filming for the first series of ten episodes of ''Father Brown'' began in the Cotswolds in summer 2012. The BBC renewed ''Father Brown'' for a second series of ten episodes in 2013. A third series of 15 episodes was commissioned in 2014. A fourth series of ten episodes was commissioned in 2015.


Filming

Filming takes place in the
Gloucestershire Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean. The county town is the city of Gl ...
village of
Blockley Blockley is a village, civil parish and ecclesiastical parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England, about northwest of Moreton-in-Marsh. Until 1931 Blockley was an exclave of Worcestershire. The civil and ecclesiastical paris ...
using the
Church of St Peter and St Paul, Blockley The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a Church of England parish church in Blockley, Gloucestershire, England. The church is a Grade II* listed building. History The Church of England parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul is late Norman,Verey ...
(
Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britai ...
) as the St Mary
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
church of the series and the vicarage transformed into the presbytery for Father Brown's residence. Other villages used are
Winchcombe Winchcombe () is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Tewkesbury in the county of Gloucestershire, England, it is 6 miles north-east of Cheltenham. The population was recorded as 4,538 in the 2011 census and estimated at 5,347 in ...
,
Upper Slaughter Upper Slaughter is a village in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England, south west of Stow-on-the-Wold. The village is located one mile away from the village Lower Slaughter, as well as being near the villages Bourton-on-the-Water, ...
,
Kemerton Kemerton is a village and civil parish in Worcestershire in England. It lies at the extreme south of the county in the local government district of Wychavon. Until boundary changes in 1931, it formed part of neighbouring Gloucestershire, and it ...
and
Guiting Power Guiting Power is a village and civil parish in the Cotswolds, in Gloucestershire, England. The population of the parish at the United Kingdom Census 2011, 2011 census was 296. Guiting Power stands on the slopes of a small valley formed by a trib ...
. Filming also took place at Winchcombe railway station and
Toddington railway station Toddington railway station serves the village of Toddington in Gloucestershire, England. Since 1984 it has been the main base of operations for the heritage Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The station is located on the Honeybourne Line w ...
on the heritage
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWR, GWSR or Gloucs-Warks Steam Railway) is a volunteer-run heritage railway which runs along the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border of the Cotswolds, England. The GWSR has restored and reope ...
. Sudeley Castle was the main location for ''The Eye of Apollo''.
Princethorpe College Princethorpe College is a Catholic independent day school located in Princethorpe, near Rugby, Warwickshire, England. Princethorpe College opened in September 1966 after the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSCs), purchased the site to use as ...
, once a Catholic convent, now a secondary school, was used to film "St Agnes Convent" in Series One Episode 6. Filming for the second series included the Warwickshire village of Ilmington.
Chastleton House Chastleton House () is a Jacobean country house at Chastleton, Oxfordshire, England, close to Moreton-in-Marsh (). It has been owned by the National Trust since 1991 and is a Grade I listed building. History Chastleton House was built betwe ...
and
Berkeley Castle Berkeley Castle ( ; historically sometimes spelled as ''Berkley Castle'' or ''Barkley Castle'') is a castle in the town of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The castle's origins date back to the 11th century, and it has been desi ...
were used to portray Pryde Castle in the episode broadcast on 8 January 2014.
Kenilworth Castle Kenilworth Castle is a castle in the town of Kenilworth in Warwickshire, England managed by English Heritage; much of it is still in ruins. The castle was founded during the Norman conquest of England; with development through to the Tudor pe ...
in Warwickshire provided the location for the final resting place of the famed rosary in the episode ''Mysteries of the Rosary'' airing 10 January 2014. The gardens at
Snowshill Manor Snowshill Manor is a National Trust property located in the village of Snowshill, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. It is a sixteenth-century country house, best known for its twentieth-century owner, Charles Paget Wade, an eccentric who amassed ...
featured in the same episode. ''The Time Machine'' episode, in series 3, was based around the Warwickshire estate of Alscot Park. Filming has also taken place at Ashdown WW2 Camp, Evesham, Worcestershire where the TV series the ''Land Girls (TV series), Land Girls'' was also filmed. Laid out as a WW2 camp, Ashdown Camp is made up of 11 Nissen huts, air raid shelters, and outbuildings. Also used were the 1930s portion of Shire Hall, Warwick, headquarters of Warwickshire County Council, Bloxham School in Oxfordshire and Worcester Guildhall. The former hospital at Moreton-in-Marsh was used for the new police station and for Father Brown's kitchen, study and presbytery.


Locations

File:Filming the Father Brown series in Blockley Churchyard.JPG, Filming in
Blockley Blockley is a village, civil parish and ecclesiastical parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England, about northwest of Moreton-in-Marsh. Until 1931 Blockley was an exclave of Worcestershire. The civil and ecclesiastical paris ...
Churchyard File:The Square, Blockley, with St Peter and St Paul Church, and the Riley RMA used for filming Father Brown.JPG, St Peter & St Paul Church, Blockley and the Riley RMA used for filming Father Brown File:Blockley Church dressed with artifical snow during the filming of the 2016 Father Brown Christmas Special.JPG, Blockley Church with artificial snow (2016 Christmas Special) File:Berkeley Castle 03.jpg, Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire File:Bench and picnic bench on platform 1, Winchcombe railway station-geograph-4583566-by-Jaggery.jpg, Winchcombe railway station File:St Peter's Church, Upper Slaughter - geograph.org.uk - 177942.jpg, St Peter's Church in
Upper Slaughter Upper Slaughter is a village in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England, south west of Stow-on-the-Wold. The village is located one mile away from the village Lower Slaughter, as well as being near the villages Bourton-on-the-Water, ...
doubled as the Anglican church in Kembleford File:Moreton in marsh Police station.jpg, The old Moreton-in-Marsh police station featured as Kembleford police station File:Moreton In Marsh hospital, Gloucestershire-geograph-2465395.jpg, The old Moreton-in-Marsh hospital was the new Kembleford police station File:Cornwell Village centre and Village Hall - geograph.org.uk - 253357.jpg, Village centre and village hall at Cornwell (Kembleford police station in series 5) File:Quaker Meeting House, Broad Campden.jpg, The Quaker Meeting House in Broad Campden featured as ''Kembleford Parish Hall'' File:Village Green, Guiting Power-9029368312.jpg,
Guiting Power Guiting Power is a village and civil parish in the Cotswolds, in Gloucestershire, England. The population of the parish at the United Kingdom Census 2011, 2011 census was 296. Guiting Power stands on the slopes of a small valley formed by a trib ...
doubled as part of Kembleford File:High Street, Blockley, Gloucestershire-geograph-4480493.jpg, High Street,
Blockley Blockley is a village, civil parish and ecclesiastical parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England, about northwest of Moreton-in-Marsh. Until 1931 Blockley was an exclave of Worcestershire. The civil and ecclesiastical paris ...
File:Princethorpe College Church (geograph 3501693).jpg,
Princethorpe College Princethorpe College is a Catholic independent day school located in Princethorpe, near Rugby, Warwickshire, England. Princethorpe College opened in September 1966 after the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSCs), purchased the site to use as ...
File:Jeep outside Spetchley Hall-geograph-4626086-by-Philip-Halling.jpg, Spetchley Park was used for ''The Curse of Amenhotep'' (2015) File:Kenilworth Castle keep from north.jpg,
Kenilworth Castle Kenilworth Castle is a castle in the town of Kenilworth in Warwickshire, England managed by English Heritage; much of it is still in ruins. The castle was founded during the Norman conquest of England; with development through to the Tudor pe ...
File:Sudeley Castle 2.jpg, Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire File:Chastleton House 04.jpg,
Chastleton House Chastleton House () is a Jacobean country house at Chastleton, Oxfordshire, England, close to Moreton-in-Marsh (). It has been owned by the National Trust since 1991 and is a Grade I listed building. History Chastleton House was built betwe ...
, Oxfordshire File:Moreton In Marsh hospital, Gloucestershire-geograph-2465395.jpg, The former Moreton in Marsh hospital, Gloucestershire-geograph-2465395 File:Snowshill Manor Garden - geograph.org.uk - 1008968.jpg, Snowshill Manor Garden File:Oak Apple Day in Worcester - geograph.org.uk - 822029.jpg, The Worcester Guildhall File:Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway (14541076084).jpg, Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Heritage Railway File:Alscot Park, Warwickshire-geograph-4881173-by-Philip-Halling.jpg, Alscot Park


Episodes


Broadcast

BBC Worldwide has sold ''Father Brown'' to 232 territories, including, Australia (ABC), Belgium (Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie, VRT), the Netherlands (KRO-NCRV), BBC First (Dutch TV channel), Spain (Paramount Network), Finland (YLE), Sweden (TV8), Denmark (DR), Norway (NRK), Estonia (ETV), Iceland (RÚV), Italy (Paramount Network), Croatia (HRT), and Brazil (TV Cultura). In the United States, ''Father Brown'' has been sold to 40 public television stations with a reach of 30% of all U.S. television households. The first four series were added to the Netflix streaming service on 31 March 2017. Series five and six were added later in 2019.


Spin offs

In January 2020, it was announced that production had begun for a ten-episode series entitled ''Sister Boniface Mysteries'' for BritBox, the streaming service.
Lorna Watson Lorna Watson (born 1977) is a British comedian, actress and television presenter. She was one of the presenters of ''Spy School''. Her acting roles include various characters in television sketch shows ''Rush Hour'', ''The Wrong Door'' and '' ...
returns as Sister Boniface. She played the character in 2013 in the ''Father Brown'' episode, ''The Bride of Christ''. It was confirmed this series would air in early 2022, with the ninth series of the parent. After debuting on BritBox, 'The Sister Boniface Mysteries' aired on Drama (British TV channel), Drama, with the DVD available from 16 May 2022. The spin-off has been renewed for a second series. Mark Williams guest stars, resuming his role of Father Brown in Series 1 episode 4.


Home media

The Region 2/Region B UK releases are published by Dazzler Media. * Series 1 released in March 2014 * Series 2 released in June 2014 * Series 3 released in March 2015 * Series 4 released in March 2016 * Series 5 released in February 2017 * Series 6 released in February 2018 * Series 7 released in February 2019 * Series 8 released in March 2020 * Series 9 released in February 2022 The series has also been released on DVD (but not Blu-ray) in the U.S., Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany. Since 2019, the series has been prominently featured on the BritBox, Britbox streaming service in North America.


References


External links

* * {{BBC Daytime television series 2010s British drama television series 2010s British mystery television series 2013 British television series debuts 2020s British drama television series 2020s British mystery television series 2010s British comedy-drama television series 2020s British comedy-drama television series Adaptations of works by G. K. Chesterton BBC Daytime television series BBC high definition shows BBC television dramas Television series about Christian religious leaders English-language television shows Catholic drama television series Television series set in the 1950s Television shows set in Gloucestershire British detective television series Television series by BBC Studios