'Father Brown' Renewed Through Season 15
The BBC puts its faith in more 'Father Brown', renewing the series for Seasons 14 and 15.
One of the BBC’s best Catholic crime fighters is back for two more seasons. Father Brown, the series initially based on (and now more “inspired by”) the G.K. Chesterton-penned short stories, has been one of the BBC’s more enduring hits. The original 1970s version was one of the more popular British imports on early public TV. The rebooted series, which launched in 2013, has not only become one of BritBox’s dependable hits, but it has also survived a complete cast turnover after Season 10 and spawned a hit spinoff, Sister Boniface Mysteries.
Up until now, Father Brown (and Sister Boniface) have been renewed yearly like clockwork. New season finishes airing, next one is announced as filming commences. However, the BBC is looking ahead, especially with the charter review and budget cuts, and all the other behind-the-scenes drama, to lay out a solid foundation as it enters its second century. To that end, Father Brown has now been renewed for a double order instead of a single, bringing the count to Season 15 and ensuring the show will run until at least early 2028.
Father Brown star Mark Williams said as part of the double renewal press release, “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...”
Here’s the synopsis for Season 14:
Season 14 sees 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.
Williams returns as the titular crime-busting clergyman. Season 14 will also bring back Tom Chambers as Inspector Sullivan, Claudie Blakley as Mrs. Isabel Sullivan, and John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow. Sadly, Ruby-May Martinwood has exited the series; in her place, the series has cast Hannah Bristow (The Man Who Fell to Earth) as Rita Flint, Father Brown’s new no-nonsense housekeeper.
Supporting cast returning for Season 14 includes Nancy Carroll as Lady Felicia, Lex Shrapnel as Father Lazarus, Roger May as Bishop Fox, and Kieran Hodgson as Father Lindsey. Notably, Season 14 is also already listing two confirmed guest stars for the season: Bill Bailey (The Reluctant Vampire) and Clive Mantle (Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell).
Ani Bundel
Neil Irvine is Father Brown’s lead writer; the rest of the behind-the-camera crew will be revealed in due course. Irvine is also the executive producer, and Williams finally receives an EP credit for the first time.
Father Brown Season 14 is currently filming in the U.K. and will most likely debut in early 2027. Seasons 1 through 13 are streaming on BritBox.
Father Brown
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