‘Father Brown’ returns with ‘Sister Boniface Mysteries’ crossover episode

There’s a special treat for Father Brown fans in the brand new season!

Based on the stories by GK Chesterton, the BBC’s long-running daytime crime drama is back very soon.

“Viewers can expect 10 episodes of twists, turns and unpredictable whodunnits to keep them guessing,” promises executive producer Neil Irvine.

Harry Potter actor Mark Williams will be reprising his role as the titular priest, alongside regulars John Burton as Sergeant Daniel Goodfellow, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda Palmer, Tom Chambers as Chief Inspector Sullivan, and Claudie Blakley as Mrs. Isobel Devine.

Very excitingly, Lorna Watson is also returning as Sister Boniface!

Last seen in a Christmas special of her spin-off series Sister Boniface Mysteries earlier this month, Watson will be back on Father Brown for the first time since her original debut back in Season 1’s ‘The Bride of Christ’ episode.

Of course, Mark Williams already cameoed as Father Brown in the first season of Sister Boniface Mysteries in 2022, but it’s always great fun to see the pair on screen together.

We’ll just try not to pay too much attention to the timeline, as Father Brown is set in 1955 and Sister Boniface Mysteries is set in the early 1960s!

Here’s a fresh look at the duo as they try to crack their latest case:

Sister Boniface will feature in the second instalment of the new season, titled ‘The Forensic Nun’.

Written by Neil Irvine, the episode finds Father Brown delighted to see his old friend and vintner Sister Boniface when she drops off a delivery of her wine at an arts and crafts fair.

When renowned artist Marmaduke Snell – played by Edward Bennett (Poldark, Napoleon) – drops dead after drinking a glass, Father Brown is determined to discover the culprit before Sister Boniface is charged with murder…

John Light (Murder in Provence) is lined up to return as Flambeau for an episode too!

Other guest stars in Season 11 will include two familiar faces from Doctor Who, with Scottish actor Sylvester McCoy (aka the Seventh Doctor) and comedian Ingrid Oliver (aka Osgood) making appearances.

Father Brown returns in the UK at 1.45pm on Friday 5 January 2024 on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Over in the US, Season 11’s first two episodes are streaming on BritBox from Tuesday 23 January 2024, with the remaining episodes dropping once a week on Tuesdays.

A third season of Sister Boniface Mysteries began filming last summer and the new episodes are expected to premiere in early 2024.

Father Brown is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.