Fans of the beloved BBC One drama Father Brown are celebrating the return of the show for its 13th series. Mark Williams reprises his role as the clever detective clergyman Father Brown, a character inspired by GK Chesterton’s classic stories.
The series launch thrilled viewers with the return of Sorcha Cusack’s much-loved Mrs McCarthy after a four-year absence. Among the familiar faces back on screen is Claudie Blakley, who plays Mrs Isabel Devine—now known as Mrs Sullivan—the parish secretary at St Mary’s who took over from Mrs McCarthy.
Claudie Blakley joined the cast in 2023, bringing to the role her rich acting background. She first gained recognition for her part as Emma Timmins in the BBC drama Lark Rise to Candleford. Her impressive career also includes standout roles such as Mabel Nesbitt in the Oscar-winning film Gosford Park, and Charlotte Lucas in the 2005 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
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Other notable credits for Claudie include Martha in the BBC serial Cranford, Cynthia Lennon in Lennon Naked, and Agatha Redmond in Grantchester.
Beyond her own achievements, Claudie comes from a family steeped in artistic talent. Her late father, Alan Blakley, was a renowned British musician and record producer, known for his work with the Tremeloes and iconic contributions to the 1970s music scene.
Her mother, Lin Blakley, is an esteemed television actress celebrated for her roles in British soap operas. Lin portrayed Pam Coker on EastEnders from 2014 to 2019, with a brief comeback in 2022, and more recently played Georgia Sharma in Emmerdale in 2023. Lin’s extensive resume also includes appearances in Vera, Silent Witness, and Doctors.
Father Brown continues to air on Fridays at 2pm on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer for viewers eager to catch up.