The beloved BBC drama Father Brown returns on Friday, 9 January, for its 13th season on BBC One. Since its debut in 2013, the show has captured the hearts of viewers, with Sorcha Cusack’s portrayal of Mrs Bridgette McCarthy, the dedicated parish secretary at St Mary’s, being a standout character.
Mrs McCarthy, a fan favourite, was a key presence from the very first episode, delivering sage advice and warm friendship to Father Brown, played by Mark Williams. Known for her legendary strawberry scones and as a steady source of local gossip, she was an essential part of the Kembleford community.
However, after the ninth series in 2022, Sorcha Cusack left the show, alongside Emer Kenny and Jack Deam. Their departures were confirmed through new series promotions that excluded their characters. In the storyline, Mrs McCarthy stepped down from her duties and moved to Ireland to be closer to her sister, marking a bittersweet farewell.
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John Burton, who plays Sergeant Goodfellow, addressed these cast changes on social media, explaining that long-running shows sometimes need to refresh their casts as actors pursue other career opportunities. He reassured fans that while some cherished characters have gone, new and returning faces would bring fresh energy to the series.
Despite Sorcha Cusack’s silence on her exit, fans were delighted when it was announced she would make a surprise, though limited, return for the first episode of series 13. The episode, titled The Good Refuge, features Mrs McCarthy reuniting with Father Brown to solve another murder mystery.
Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Mark Williams shared his excitement, noting that Mrs McCarthy’s return is meaningful for Father Brown, as she has always been his grounding presence. “She’s sort of a touchstone for him,” he said. “He relies on her common sense, or he did, and her kind of grounding. So he’s very pleased to see her and her him, I think.”
Father Brown’s new season premieres Friday, 9 January at 2 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, promising fans a blend of nostalgia and new intrigue.