Father Brown Season 13: First Look Revealed as Filming Wraps
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Last Updated on August 12, 2025 by Stefanie Hutson
The first image from the thirteenth series of Father Brown has arrived, with BBC Studios confirming that filming has wrapped on the new run. Mark Williams (The Fast Show, Harry Potter) returns as the crime-busting clergyman created by G.K. Chesterton, and the latest episodes promise seaside mischief, high-stakes church politics, and a few long-awaited reunions.
What’s New in Season 13?
Following the jubilant wedding at the end of Series 12, Inspector Sullivan and his new wife, Mrs. Isabel Sullivan, settle into married life and a new home – complete with the social whirl of the Policeman’s Wives Society. Brenda steps in as Parish Secretary and learns to drive with Sergeant Goodfellow’s help. Meanwhile, a request from gentleman thief Flambeau sends Father Brown to visit Father Lazarus in prison, triggering a dangerous game of cat and mouse that ruffles Canon Fox. With Fox now Bishop-Elect and determined to settle scores, Kembleford faces changes that could alter the parish forever. And in a series first, the gang takes a trip to the seaside.
Sorcha Cusack (Casualty, A Discovery of Witches) makes a special return as Mrs. McCarthy in the opening episode. Returning cast also includes Tom Chambers (Holby City, Waterloo Road) as Inspector Sullivan, Claudie Blakley (Lark Rise to Candleford) as Mrs. Isabel Sullivan, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda, and John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow. Fan favourites Nancy Carroll (Prime Suspect 1973, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher) as Lady Felicia and John Light as Hercule Flambeau are back, alongside Lex Shrapnel (Hunted), Roger May, and Kieran Hodgson (Two Doors Down).
Special Guest Stars
The new series welcomes Maureen Lipman (Coronation Street, Agony), Julia Sawalha (Absolutely Fabulous, Lark Rise to Candleford), Phil Daniels (EastEnders), Debra Stephenson (Bad Girls, Coronation Street), Davood Ghadami (EastEnders, Holby City), Kevin Harvey, George Rainsford (Casualty, Call the Midwife), and Timothy Watson (The Archers).
From the Set
Mark Williams notes that the year’s filming has been a treat for location lovers, from the French-fantasy grandeur of Chateau Impney in Droitwich to Warwick’s octagonal Crown Courts, Great Malvern’s atmospheric former nunnery, the time-capsule Fleece Inn in Bretforton, and the spectacular baroque church at Great Witley – plus that seaside episode. “What a fabulous itinerary. And we filmed an episode at the seaside! Lucky lad, as my Dad would have said.”
What the BBC Says
“Father Brown has many loyal fans and they are NOT going to be disappointed with the latest episodes,” says Helen Munson, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime. “The team at BBC Studios have delivered another fabulous series, and there are some very exciting guest appearances too!” Executive Producer Neil Irvine adds that Mrs. McCarthy’s return, a rock’n’roll invasion, and that seaside trip are among the treats in store—and with Canon Fox becoming Bishop-Elect, “Father Brown finds his position dangling perilously on a thread.”
When Will Season 13 Air?
Father Brown Series 13 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer early next year. First launched in 2013, the show is the UK’s number-one daytime drama of the last decade and a global success, with 140 episodes produced to date. In the US, we would expect to see it on BritBox (along with the previous seasons), but no official information has been made available at this time. In the meantime, you can enjoy previous seasons HERE.
Father Brown is produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, commissioned by Rob Unsworth (Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak). The executive producer is Neil Irvine, with David Innes Edwards as series producer and Dawn Coulson-Beckett as script producer. Helen Munson serves as Commissioning Editor; BBC Studios handles global sales.
