'Father Brown' Returns for Season 12 in January

Few things are as dependable in life. Death, Taxes, and Father Brown arriving in January of the new year, and three of them. The Mark Williams-starring series based on the early 1900s short stories by G. K. Chesterton has been debuting in January on the BBC since it first launched in 2013, and while BritBox rarely makes a point of following in the BBC's footsteps, here they do, releasing new seasons of Father Brown in January, and as a weekly series to boot. (No double-episodes here.) 

Over a decade into its run, the cast changeover for the series has been in full swing since Season 9; that was the last season Sorcha Cusack was on the series as Father Brown's main sidekick,  Mrs. Bridgette McCarthy. That was also the final season for Alex Price as Sidney "Sid" Carter, who had bounced from main to guest cast and back over his time on the show's run. But as long as Williams continues to don the priestly robes and collar, the show can weather just about any casting changes one can throw at it.

In fact, the exit of the longtime supporting characters has allowed the show a soft reboot of sorts and helped it join the 21st century with a more diverse cast and stronger roles for its female characters.

Here is the Season 12 synopsis:

Following the exciting proposal at the end of series 11, the sleepy village of Kembleford is abuzz with good news as Mrs Devine and Chief Inspector Sullivan look forward to their upcoming wedding. But when a surprise visit from the father of the groom quickly throws preparations into turmoil, will they even make it to the church? 

With a medieval death at a Tudor battle re-enactment, Mrs Devine finding herself accused of murder, Sergeant Goodfellow’s professional future thrown into question and Brenda ballroom dancing on national television, Father Brown and the gang are busier than ever. And when a Cardinal from the Vatican arrives with a top-secret mission for Father Brown, the priest must request the help of his old adversary Flambeau, while a new nemesis lurks in the shadows…

Williams will once again be joined by current series regulars Tom Chambers as Chief Inspector Sullivan, Claudie Blakley as Mrs Devine, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda, and John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow. New cast members, including Father Brown's biggest fan, Father Lindsey, and a brand new nemesis, are being kept under wraps.

Again, Neil Irvine is Father Brown's lead writer, with series creator Rachel Flowerday and Sarah-Louise Hawkins penning episodes. Ian Barber is the lead director, and Miranda Howard-Williams, Michael Lacey, and Paul Riordan are also helming installments.

Father Brown Season 12 will debut on the BBC on Friday, January 10, 2025, and stream/air on a weekly release schedule. BritBox likewise will release the series weekly, starting two weeks later, on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Season 13 is already greenlit.