Published: 30 December 2025
Mark Williams is back as Father Brown, the crime busting clergyman based on the classic character created by GK Chesterton. The 13th series also sees the return of fan favourite cast members Tom Chambers as Inspector Sullivan, Claudie Blakley as the new Mrs Isabel Sullivan, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda and John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow. Also returning are Nancy Carroll as Lady Felicia, John Light as Hercule Flambeau, Lex Shrapnel as Father Lazarus, Roger May as Canon Fox and Kieran Hodgson as Father Lindsey.
Guests including Maureen Lipman, Julia Sawalha, Phil Daniels, Debra Stephenson, Davood Ghadami, Kevin Harvey, George Rainsford and Timothy Watson will join Mark Williams in the 13th series of the internationally popular drama made by BBC Studios Drama Productions for BBC One and iPlayer. Sorcha Cusack will also be making a special return as Mrs McCarthy for the first episode.
Following the jubilant wedding celebrations at the end of series 12, the new Mr and Mrs Sullivan settle into married life and a new home, with Isabel thrilled to be welcomed into the Policeman’s Wives Society. Meanwhile, Brenda goes on a journey of self-empowerment as she covers the role of Parish Secretary and learns to drive with the help of Sergeant Goodfellow. Father Brown is tasked by Flambeau to visit Father Lazarus in prison, resulting in a deadly game of cat and mouse which ruffles the feathers of Canon Fox. With his consecration now looming, Bishop-Elect Fox plans to enact his revenge upon Father Brown, leaving Kembleford changed forever. And in a Father Brown first – the group take a trip to the seaside!
Father Brown, which first aired on BBC Daytime in 2013, is the UK’s number 1 Daytime drama of the last decade and a global success with 140 episodes made (including those just filmed). Father Brown’s 12th series recently concluded on screen and is the number 1 daytime drama of 2025 to date. The series continues to be a hit internationally and is viewed by audiences in US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania 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, the Series Producer is David Innes Edwards and the Script Producer is Dawn Coulson-Beckett. Helen Munson is the Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime. BBC Studios is handling global sales.
FM
Mark Williams (Father Brown)
What can viewers look forward to seeing in series 13?
We’ve got a great range of stories this series; we’ve got kidnappings, murder, madness, and mirth.
Was it nice for Father Brown and the gang to finally get a trip to the seaside? What can you tell us about that episode?
I have been angling for years for us to go to the seaside, because a trip on the charabanc is so 1950s. We finally worked it out and we went, of course, to Western-super-Mare, which was the first port of call for anybody in the Midlands because it is the closest seaside. We had a great time there and, of course, we ate the regulatory fish and chips. We also had the wonderful company of Maureen Lipman, Alex Macqueen and Julia Sawalha as our guest stars in that episode.
Speaking of guest stars, what was it like working with another stellar ensemble of guest actors in this series?
It’s always really flattering that people come and do the show, and we always look forward to seeing people; it’s one of the joys of doing this job. Because we have multiple episodes, we have different actors coming in regularly, for example Phil Daniels and Phil Cornwell this series, and I love it. I love just watching them as well. Sometimes I forget that I’m supposed to be acting too, because I’m too busy looking at other people!
We hear Father Brown’s job is in jeopardy this series when Bishop-elect Fox enacts revenge, what can you tell us about that?
Yes, Father Brown has a real crisis, and it looks like it’s unsolvable…until fate intervenes. We had a lot of fun filming that episode. There’s some great (and I use the word advisedly) some great bicycle work.
Were there any particularly funny moments on set this series?
Yes there were. We sometimes have trouble with the death scenes, because as you can imagine it’s hard sometimes to take it quite as seriously as we should. Daisy Beaumont and Nancy Carroll were intimately involved in Daisy’s character’s death this series, and that reduced us all to absolute giggles. You’ll see what I mean when you see the episode!
What is it like working with your fellow cast mates again?
It’s one of the great human pleasures to work as part of a team, especially when a team functions well (and we certainly do that) so it’s always a pleasure to get back together. Most of our crew have worked on previous Father Brown series and lots of people have come up through the ranks, as it were, and gained promotion and moved jobs etc., and that’s a real source of pride to us as a production.
Were there any particular Cotswolds filming locations which stood out to you this series?
My father was an architect, and he taught me to look at buildings. This year on Father Brown has been an absolute pleasure; we filmed in a remarkable National Trust-owned pub, The Fleece Inn, we filmed in a disused convent with a chapel built designed by Ninian Comper which is a jewel, we were in the best Baroque church in the UK at Great Witley, and also at a real prison. I get very excited about filming in remarkable buildings because it sets the scene so very well.
Finally, are there any other memorable moments for you from this series?
Father Brown wears the same costume most of the time, so it gets quite exciting when I get to wear a different costume. This year at the seaside, I got to wear a knotted handkerchief! My grandad used to wear one at the beach and roll up his trousers, and that’s exactly what I did.
A new series, and a new name! How are the newlyweds Mr and Mrs Sullivan, following their jubilant wedding at the end of last series?
There’s a little bit of ‘adjusting’ going on. Not only have they just got married but Edgar has been demoted which has put a bit of pressure on their relationship. Together with finding the right place to live and disputes over which furniture takes precedent! As a couple though, they are solid, very happy together and although my relationship with Father Brown throws up a few awkward moments, they are very much enjoying this new adventure.
What do Mrs Sullivan and the gang get up to this series?
Lots of sleuthing as usual. Isabel dabbles in bit of acting. Romance at the seaside and meeting more of Edgar’s family.
What was it like working with the wider ensemble of guest actors in this series?
I say this every year, but again I feel so lucky to have worked with such wonderful actors, some of which I’ve worked with before, so it was lovely to see them again. People I hugely admire. I think the audience are in for a real treat.
What do you enjoy most about playing Mrs Sullivan?
I really enjoy playing Mrs S because as well as her professional life, the fun of sneaking around solving crimes, I also get to play and have fun with the domestic life of romance and married bliss and all the dramas of those two worlds colliding. She is a sunny upbeat character who, for the most part is enjoying life on every level.
Were there any particularly memorable or funny moments whilst filming this series?
The seaside episode was really fun. We had beautiful weather and the whole crew and cast were on the beach, with donkeys, deck chairs, ice creams and Punch and Judy. The set was fantastic and my daughter appears in the episode too, which was a thrill. We also had a darker episode with a talking puppet. Very disturbing. I’m also tormented over a very challenging court case and seem to be caught in the middle.
Were there any filming locations which stood out to you this series?
Western-super-Mare beach!
Tom Chambers (Inspector Sullivan)
How are the newlyweds Mr & Mrs Sullivan, following their jubilant wedding at the end of last series? Has married life changed anything for them?
They’re in a beautiful bubble of love. Sullivan was always under the shadow of his father up until the wedding, but he told him where to go at the end of the series, which was a big chess piece. Now Sullivan has his backbone strengthened and he can be his own person. Him and Mrs Sullivan don’t quite get a honeymoon and they are trying to move in to domesticated life together; juggling a bit chaos of trying to find the right house and also trying to get all of Edgar’s things in, of which of course, Mrs. Sullivan says he has far too many of. Mrs Sullivan is now stuck in the middle between Father Brown and her husband a bit. She has of course always been loyal to Father Brown and now she knows that she shouldn’t really be getting involved in cases, and Sullivan is aware that too. So sometimes she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.
What can viewers look forward to this series?
Lots of really wonderful stories of murder mystery with the wonderful characters that viewers will know and recognise. We also have lots of returning characters this series, like Mrs McCarthy, Lady Felicia, Bishop Fox and Father Lindsay. It’s just full of joy and surprises!
We hear there is a trip to the seaside! What can you tell us about that? Was it fun to get away as a group?
We have the great honour and pleasure of visiting Edgar’s favourite aunt, played by the wonderful Maureen Lipman. Mr and Mrs Sullivan didn’t actually get a honeymoon, so they thought they’d tie this in with a nice trip to the seaside. It’s something we’ve always wanted as a cast, and it was fantastic, just so wonderful. Of course, in true Father Brown style, there just so happens to be a murder there at the same time, which is unusual for a honeymoon, but there you go.
What do you enjoy most about playing Sullivan?
I particularly enjoy the fact that before he was married, Sullivan was very restrained and felt the pressure of his father, which the audience didn’t see but it meant that he was quite highly strung and Sullivan was quite grumpy or moody. Meeting Mrs Devine really shone a light in his life, and what’s lovely about Sullivan now is that there are two sides to him; we see the more fun domestic side as well as his work side. My favourite thing is that he gets to be involved in everything that’s going on too. I like it when Sullivan is being active, like driving cars or leaping over fences. It was fun being at the seaside because we were running through the waves on the beach and things like that. It’s just a lovely part to play, and is set in a lovely time of life in the 50s.
What was it like working with the wider ensemble of guest actors in this series?
Working with the guest actors is such a treat. The casting is so wonderful, they always absolutely fit the part and they’re such great actors. We get actors who are very experienced as well as actors for whom it’s their first or second job. It’s always so interesting to meet other actors, share stories, and just play these wonderful parts together.
Have there been any particularly memorable or funny moments whilst filming this series?
I had previously worked with Alex Maqueen in Holby City between 2005-2008, he came into the seaside episode and he’s such he’s such a funny guy. When the camera’s not rolling and we’re rehearsing the scenes, he’d often change his voice or do something to make us all laugh. There was lots really funny, harmless fun on set during the series like that.
What is it like working with your fellow cast mates again?
It’s always a joy and a delight and a pleasure. It’s like an annual reunion and it’s just so wonderful stepping back into those shoes, getting back into that environment, and seeing how the stories develop, and the character relationships change. In the past, for example, there was always a lot of annoyance and frustration between Sullivan and Father Brown, but now it’s less annoyance between them and more of a wry roll of the eyes or a wry smile and “not a again” kind of thing, until it gets really serious of course. Everyone’s such a team player too, we all support each other genuinely care for each other. We text on the same group throughout the year every now and again, we keep in touch about funny little things. It’s like coming home after a trip abroad, when we all get together again, it’s wonderful.
John Burton (Sergeant Goodfellow)
Where do we find Goodfellow at the start of the series?
Doing what he does best, keeping the villagers safe and in order, plus enjoying time off when he’s not at the station!
Sergeant Goodfellow teaches Brenda how to drive this series. Was that fun to film?
It was, we didn’t film lots of it but the bits we did were great and I’ve seen some of the clips. I did tell Ruby to really ‘go for it’ when she had to hit the brakes hard, forgetting these cars don’t have seatbelts, so when she hit the brakes my head hit the windscreen, we were laughing so much, I didn’t realise how much it had hurt until later – ouch.
What else do the gang get up to this series?
We all got to go to the seaside, the fictional town of Brockton on Sea – and I loved it. It was so lovely to do something a little different to the normal things we do on the show and I hope we do lots more of that type of thing.
Do you have a favourite episode or storyline from this series?
I guess the seaside episode, and I enjoyed having Naomi back for an episode to play my wife – Violet, she’s great fun and good to work with, so it makes things much easier when we’re doing scenes together.
How has the dynamic of the characters developed over the years?
Naturally I think, nothing ever feels forced and all the regular cast get on very well, so that creates its own positive dynamism. I’d like to do more stuff with Claudie though as she’s brilliant to work with and we always end up laughing.
Have there been any particularly memorable or funny moments whilst filming this series?
Dressing up as a chef in a hotel kitchen complete with a very tall chef’s hat – don’t ask, all will become apparent!
Ruby May-Martinwood (Brenda)
We hear Brenda learns to drive this series, what that fun to film?
I absolutely loved it, it was brilliant! 50s cars are beautiful, and It was so interesting learning how to drive them and about them all. It was nice for Brenda to have that responsibility and role within the series to utilise her new driving skills! Lots of quick escapes and speeding onto the crime scenes. There’s also some great comedic moments within the driving and learning, which was super fun to film! – particularly with Mrs Sullivan and Goodfellow.
What else do the gang get up to this series?
Of course solving many murders… We all get to go to the seaside! This episode was so fun to film and the gang get up to all sorts of seaside activities! AND in one episode Brenda’s fave band come to town!
How has Brenda’s relationship with the other characters developed over the year?
Father Brown and Brenda have a particularly beautiful bond, he took her in and guided her during the really significant years in her life, he grew to trust her even more and Brenda took on more responsibilities within their relationship. Of course, Brenda and Mrs Devine had a bumpy start, unsure if they were going to get on with each other… but that soon settled as they grew very fond of one another. I think Inspector Sullivan is still yet to reciprocate this same fondness of Brenda. I think her ‘say it how it I’s attitude and blunt honestly touches a nerve for the Inspector!
Have there been any other favourite moments from filming on set this year?
We had a Father Brown Run Club – set up by the lovely camera crew! This was great for crew and cast to spend some time together and get fit! And of course Mark’s spirit, experience and humour got us all through each day! We filmed a Yoga episode this year which I really enjoyed, it was in a beautiful location like most of the Cotswolds, we’re very lucky to be filming in such a gorgeous place in the country.
Guest cast
Episode 1 – The Good Refuge: Sorcha Cusack, Grace Daly, Clare Burt, Debbie Chazen, Bridget Marumo, Jake Fairbrother, Roger May.
Episode 2 – The Hole in My Heart: Ryan Quarmby, Ben Rose, Davood Ghadami, Natasha Calland, Frances McNamee.
Episode 3 – The Palace by the Sea: Maureen Lipman, Julia Sawalha, Alexander Macqueen, Timothy Watson, Kareem Alexander, James Quinn.
Episode 4 – The Crackpot and the Dummy: Toby Longworth, René Zagger, Rafaela Nicolay, Matilda Ziegler, Phil Cornwell.
Episode 5 – The Shadow of Lazarus: John Light, Lex Shrapnel, Aaron Anthony, Tony Gardner, Sophia Myles, Madison Clare.
Episode 6 – The Obedient Wife: Naomi Radcliffe, Alex Blake, Marianne Oldham, Rob Ostelere, Elizabeth Rider.
Episode 7 – The Bodhi Tree: Nancy Carroll, Daisy Beaumont, Tom Wu, Jack Armstrong, Gordon Kennedy, Hermione Juniper Leitch.
Episode 8 – The Oath of Silence: Bill Champion, Kevin Harvey, Nick Fletcher, Sarah Beck Mather, Sion Tudor Owens, Samantha Baines.
Episode 9 – The Power of Suggestion: George Rainsford, Tia Bannon, Debra Stephenson, Mia Rodgers, Phil Daniels.
Episode 10 – The Bishop’s Revenge: Kieran Hodgson, Roger May, Jonathan Coy, Siobhan Redmond, Gracie McGonigal.
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