Father Brown, the BritBox’s series, based on the short stories by G.K. Chesterton, stars Mark Williams as the priest who, in between saying mass, solves crimes. His meddling is not always welcomed by the local police, but if the suspected killer requests a priest, there’s little the cops can do to prevent Father Brown’s intervention.
Father Brown falls into the cozy category where mysteries are concerned. There’s little blood and gore and since each murder is wrapped up in less than an hour, few suspects and many clues. The series is set in the small fictional village of Kembleford in the Cotswolds, during the early 1950s, after World War II. Since Father Brown served as a chaplain in both world wars, he’s seen the best and the worst of humanity. He has a keen eye and a sharp intellect. He also believes wholeheartedly in the power of forgiveness. While he often speaks with prisoners who have been charged with a crime, he doesn’t conduct those interviews under the seal of confession. Nonetheless, he rarely repeats to the authorities what these suspects tell him, instead using that information to identify the real killer.
Williams has a long list of credits for films and televisions series, but seems to have found his calling as a bike-riding priest. While the supporting cast around him has changed over 13 seasons, he remains the anchor. His charming manner, self-effacing attitude, and the ability to withstand the insults from whoever is in charge of the Kumbleford police force, are put to good use in each episode. While somewhat formulaic, the series has loyal fans who also enjoy the quirky characters that find themselves caught up Father Brown’s shenanigans.
Mark Williams (Father Brown) and Claudie Blakely (Mrs. Isabel Sullivan)
The Irish television and stage actress, Sorcha Cusack, played Bridgette McCarthy, the parish secretary, for nine seasons. Her strict moral code often found her even more conservative than Father Brown, setting up conflicts with she usually smoothed over with her award-wining strawberry scones. Socialite Lady Felicia Montague (Nancy Carroll) and her niece, Bunty (Emer Kenny) are the counterparts to the homespun McCarthy. The duo live in a mansion, Lady Felicia has a chauffeur, while Bunty drives a flashy cars, and their wardrobe is a costumer designer’s dream. Carroll was a main character for four season, but since then has often appeared in guest spots.
Father Brown’s assistants now are Isabel Devine, played by Claudie Blakley, and Brenda Palmer, played by Ruby-May Martinwood. A widow, Isabel marries the local police inspector, played by Tom Chambers, creating a complication when she’s helping one of Father Brown’s investigations. Often aiding Father Brown’s access to the jail is the fair-minded Sergeant Daniel Goodfellow (John Burton), who often recognized that his superior officer has arrested the wrong person.
One of the most intriguing character in the series is Hercule Flambeau, played by the talented John Light. A notorious jewel thief, Flambeau tests Father Brown’s semblance of right and wrong, but the two soon form a partnership to solve crimes and prevent further robberies. Flambeau is even hired by the Vatican to steal back some of what has been stolen from its museums.
Filmed in the Cotswold village of Blockley in Gloucestershire, the series makes good use of the picturesque setting. St. Peter and St. Paul Church serves as St. Mary’s and the surrounding streets are where the residents live, work, and, sometimes, commit crimes.
Religious figures seem to have found an appreciative audience with mystery lovers. BritBox launched the Sister Boniface Mysteries after the success of Father Brown. And Grantchester features an Anglican vicar who works with the local detective inspector to solve crimes. Seems that the battle between good and evil makes compelling stories.
Top: Ruby-May Martinwood (Brenda Parker), John Burton (Sgt Goodfellow) and Mark Williams (Father Brown) Photos Courtesy of BritBox
