Father Brown has returned for its 13th series, delighting fans with unexpected twists and notable guest appearances. One exciting comeback is Sorcha Cusack reprising her role as church secretary Mrs McCarthy after a four-year break.
Mark Williams continues to shine as Father Brown, the detective priest inspired by G.K. Chesterton’s beloved character. The show has featured familiar faces including EastEnders’ Davood Ghadami in episode two and Holby City stars in the opener.
The third episode, titled “The Palace by the Sea,” takes the cast to seaside town Weston-super-Mare, where Father Brown investigates a murder case involving Sullivan’s cherished Aunty Pat, who is arrested on suspicion of murder. This installment boasts an impressive guest cast including Coronation Street legend Maureen Lipman and Absolutely Fabulous actress Julia Sawalha.
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Mark Williams shared his enthusiasm about the seaside setting: “I have been angling for years to go to the seaside because a trip on the charabanc is so 1950s. We finally made it to Weston-super-Mare, which was the first port of call for anyone from the Midlands. We had a fantastic time, enjoyed the classic fish and chips, and were delighted to work alongside Maureen Lipman, Alex Macqueen, and Julia Sawalha.”
Maureen Lipman stars as Aunty Pat, the owner of a coastal hotel caught up in a murder investigation. With a career spanning over five decades, Maureen is known for her long-running role as Evelyn Plummer in Coronation Street and credits that include films like The Pianist and Educating Rita. She also became a household name through numerous BT advertisements in the 1990s.
Julia Sawalha plays Cynthia Wendle. She is best known for her role as Saffron “Saffy” Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous and as Dorcus Lane in Lark Rise to Candleford. She has appeared in shows like Jonathan Creek and adaptations such as Pride and Prejudice, and began her career in series like Press Gang.
Alex Macqueen portrays Raymond Wendle. He is recognized for his roles as Dr. Keith Greene in Holby City and Kevin Sutherland in The Inbetweeners. His credits also include The Thick of It, Sally4Ever, Fate: The Winx Saga, The Feud, and Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.
Timothy portrays Max Bishop, known to many as Rob Titchener in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers. He also appeared in ITV’s Mr Selfridge and is acclaimed for his voice acting in video games.
Kareem takes on Timothy Moon, with TV credits including Doctor Who, Silent Witness, Doctors, Litvinenko, and Vampire Academy.
James plays Sergeant George Oldham. Known to soap fans as DS Willets in Coronation Street, he has also appeared in Emmerdale, Doctors, ITV’s After the Flood, and Peacock’s Del.
Father Brown continues to air on BBC One at 2 pm every Friday, inviting viewers back for captivating mysteries and memorable performances.