“HE’S BACK… BUT THIS TIME, EVERYTHING CHANGES” — BBC confirms return of hit crime drama with a sh0cking new addition

The BBC has confirmed that Father Brown will be returning for a further two seasons, with bosses pledging a “thrilling endgame” to come for the crime show, which has been airing since 2013.

Based on the short stories by GK Chesterton, Father Brown follows an English Catholic priest, played by Harry Potter star Mark Williams, who solves crimes in the fictional village of Kembleford in the Cotswolds.

It’s been confirmed that Mark will be returning to the titular role, with the likes of Tom Chambers, Claudie Blakley, John Burton, Nancy Carroll, Roger May, Kieran Hodgson and Lex Shrapnel all set to reprise their roles.

Meanwhile, The Man Who Fell to Earth star Hannah Bristow is joining the cast as Father Brown’s new housekeeper, Rita Flint. It’s also been confirmed that Game of Thrones and Casualty icon Clive Mantle and comedian and Strictly Come Dancing champion Bill Bailey will be joining the show in guest roles.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios/Adam Lawrence

It’s been teased that Father Brown will be “solving cases involving magicians and meals on wheels, avant-garde artists and deadly spiders on the loose”.

Reaction to return

Sharing his excitement at the show’s return, Neil Irvine, the 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 (executive producer) 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, the BBC’s commissioning editor, 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 Cotswolds as the backdrop, it’s no wonder that Father Brown continues to be a firm favourite with the audiences all over the world.”

© CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios/Adam Lawrence

Meanwhile, the show’s star, Mark joked: “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.”