Father Brown has returned to BBC One for its 13th series, bringing both familiar faces and farewells to viewers. Among the changes, fans were surprised by the absence of Jack Deam, who played the much-liked Inspector Mallory.
Taking over from former Inspector Sullivan (Tom Chambers), Deam’s character stood out for his enthusiastic and open-minded approach to investigations. Unlike his predecessors, Inspector Mallory often showed optimism, pursuing leads even when they initially seemed unpromising. He frequently clashed with Father Brown (Mark Williams), addressing him as “Padre,” a nod to their playful yet tense dynamic.
The news of Jack Deam’s departure became clear when promotional images for the 2023 series were released without his character. John Burton, who plays Sergeant Goodfellow, acknowledged the cast changes on Twitter, explaining that long-running shows occasionally need refreshing due to actors’ availability and career progressions. He stated, “This is part of an actor’s life, and we must go where the work takes us.”
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Although Jack Deam has not made a public statement regarding his exit, it appears he left Father Brown to pursue new roles. After leaving the series, he continued to embrace commanding roles in other detective dramas. In 2023, he portrayed DI Les Hanley in The Long Shadow, and by 2025, he took on the role of Inspector Foulon in the detective drama Maigret. Jack Deam’s affinity for the crime genre is also reflected in his guest appearances on acclaimed murder mysteries such as Ridley and Vera.
Father Brown airs on BBC One on Fridays at 2 pm, continuing to captivate audiences with its blend of mystery and charm.