Father Brown renewed for two more series
The BBC has ordered two new series of the cosy period crime drama, Father Brown.
Father Brown has been renewed for two more series.
Mark Williams, 66, plays the titular crime-busting clergyman, and is already filming scenes in the Cotswolds for the 14th season of the cosy BBC period crime drama - loosely based on GK Chesterton's short stories of the same name.
He said: "We started filming series 14 of Father Brown in the first week of April, and while it’s always a wrench to leave my garden at home when it’s just burgeoning, the Cotswold countryside makes up for it.
"The trees are wearing their Swank-coats of blossom: Hawthorn, Apple, Pear and Blackthorn, and the splendid white and pink Cherries. There are lots of Magnolias too, looking like enormous wedding bouquets, and all the trees are coming into leaf.
"I love the Horse Chestnut leaves still drooping, not yet plumped up. The grass looks worthy of the Salad Bowl, and the arable fields are greening.
"If you are not careful, you could come over all poetic, but we’ve got 10 shows to make - no time for versifying. Cassock on, let the sleuthing begin..."
Father Brown's most dangerous enemy, Father Lazarus (Lex Shrapnel), returns in series 14, despite the character being in prison for stealing a statue from the Vatican, to seek revenge.
And viewers have been promised a season packed full of suspense before it culminates in an "exhilarating series finale".
A synopsis for series 14 reads: "Father Brown and the team in the thick of murder and mystery yet again in 1955 Kembleford, solving cases involving magicians and meals on wheels, avant-garde artists and deadly spiders on the loose.
"While it might seem like business as usual, it is far from it, with Father Brown receiving a call from Father Lazarus, fresh from another prison break and hell-bent on revenge.
"The return of Father Brown’s most dangerous nemesis looms, testing the padre throughout the series before building to an exhilarating series finale."
Popular cast members Tom Chambers (Inspector Sullivan), Claudie Blakley (Mrs Isabel Sullivan) and John Burton (Sergeant Goodfellow) also make a comeback, as do semi-regulars Nancy Carroll (Lady Felicia), Roger May (Bishop Fox) and Kieran Hodgson (Father Lindsey).
A batch of new faces have been added to the mix for series 14 - Hannah Bristow as Rita Flint, Father Brown’s new no-nonsense housekeeper, as well as comedian Bill Bailey and Clive Mantle in guest roles.
Neil Irvine, Executive Producer for BBC Studios Drama Productions, said: "I’m delighted that Mark Williams is returning as Father Brown for a further two series and that his creative contribution has been recognised with an EP credit.
"With Hannah joining us to play intriguing new housekeeper Rita and Father Lazarus returning for a thrilling endgame, this series promises to be the most exciting yet."
Helen Munson, Commissioning Editor at the BBC, added: "He’s back! We are delighted to be working with BBC Studios again to give the devoted fans two more series of our crime-fighting cleric.
"With top-notch writing, fabulous cast and the beautiful Cotswold as the backdrop, it’s no wonder that Father Brown continues to be a firm favourite with the audiences all over the world."
Series 14 of Father Brown will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in early 2027, with series 15 details set to be released soon.
