Father Brown season 13 start date confirmed by the BBC as cosy detective drama returns

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The BBC is starting 2026 strong with both brand new programs and popular shows returning for another season, including a thirteenth season of Father Brown.

Filming finished on the charming mystery series in August, and the BBC has now shared a sneak peek at the new season, hinting at what fans can expect from Father Brown and the people of Kembleford.

The new series of Father Brown begins on Friday, January 9th at 2pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. This series features special guest appearances by Dame Maureen Lipman, Julia Sawalha, Phil Daniels, Debra Stephenson, Davood Ghadami, Kevin Harvey, George Rainsford, and Timothy Watson.

The original cast is returning! Mark Williams, Tom Chambers, Claudie Blakley, Ruby-May Martinwood, and John Burton will reprise their roles, and Sorcha Cusack, who played Mrs. Bridgette McCarthy in the first nine seasons, will make a special appearance in the first episode.

I was thrilled to see some familiar faces pop up again! Nancy Carroll is fantastic as always as Lady Felicia, and John Light brings a delightful energy as Hercule Flambeau. Lex Shrapnel’s Father Lazarus and Roger May as Canon Fox both added great depth, and Kieran Hodgson’s Father Lindsey was a welcome return as well. It’s clear the show really benefits from bringing these characters back.

After a happy wedding at the end of last season, the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, are starting their life together in a new home. Isabel is especially excited to join the Policeman’s Wives Society and be welcomed by the group.

Brenda begins a journey of personal growth, taking on the job of Parish Secretary and learning to drive with Sergeant Goodfellow’s assistance. At the same time, Father Brown is asked by Flambeau to visit Father Lazarus in prison, which sparks a dangerous and tense situation that greatly upsets Canon Fox.

I’m really on the edge of my seat! It looks like Bishop-Elect Fox is about to get his revenge on Father Brown as soon as he’s officially a bishop, and I have a feeling Kembleford won’t be the same afterwards. Plus, something totally new is happening – the whole gang is heading to the seaside! I can’t wait to see how that plays out.

Mark Williams explained that his father, a surveyor, instilled in him a fascination with buildings – not just their design, but also their purpose and location. He finds filming ‘Father Brown’ particularly enjoyable because of the interesting locations, and always brings a copy of Pevsner’s ‘Buildings of England’ with him to learn more about them.

It’s been an exciting 13th year for filming, with some truly unique locations. We’ve shot at the fairytale-like Chateaux Impney near Droitwich, the cozy Little Theatre in Chipping Norton (formerly a Salvation Army building), the stunning 18th-century Crown Courts in Warwick, and a beautifully atmospheric former nunnery in Great Malvern, complete with a gorgeous chapel designed by Ninian Comper.

We visited some incredible places, including The Fleece Inn – a pub that feels like stepping back in time – and the stunning Baroque church at Great Witley. Plus, the Cotswolds were filled with charming stone houses and churches. It was a fantastic trip, and we even filmed an episode by the sea! My dad would have called me a lucky one.

Father Brown returns on Friday 9th January at 2pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a degree in Journalism.

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2025-12-14 15:04