Father Brown season 12: release date, cast, plot and everything we know

(Image credit: BBC)

Father Brown season 12 sees Mark Williams return as the crime-solving priest for a fresh set of adventures.

Like Death in Paradise, Father Brown has become one of the BBC's biggest long-running hits and fans will be delighted there are more stories on the way.

Setting up the new 10-part series, Mark says: "In this series, we have another Flambeau episode, and this time we are on a secret mission from the Vatican. I love the Flambeau episodes, it feels like we are in a 1950s thriller and John Light plays him to the hilt. We also have a battle re-enactment in which I got to fight a duel with an expert swordsman, although Father Brown was somewhat handicapped by only having an umbrella. We also have a long awaited wedding, although it isn't easy getting the happy couple to the altar!"

Amazingly, the series, based on the classic character created by GK Chesterton, has been going now for over 100 episodes!

Here's everything we know about the new series…

Father Brown season 12 release date

Father Brown with Hercule Flambeau (Image credit: BBC)

Father Brown season 12 is released on BBC One on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 2.00 pm.

In the US, Father Brown season 12 hits BritBox on January 23, 2025. It's also been announced that a 13th series is also on the way, although that’s unlikely to air until 2026.

Father Brown season 12 cast

Walter Sullivan (Denis Lawson) and Grace Sullivan (Cherie Lunghi) in Father Brown season 12 — Denis Lawson and Cherie Lunghi play Chief Inspector Sullivan's parents, Walter and Grace (Image credit: BBC)

It wouldn't be Father Brown without Mark Williams's wonderful performance as the man himself. Also returning are Tom Chambers as Chief Inspector Sullivan, Claudie Blakley as Mrs Devine, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda and John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow. John Light is back as devilish crook Flambeau. Denis Lawson and Cherie Lunghi are among the guest star.

Plot

Well, the last series ended in a very happy fashion, with Chief Inspector Sullivan proposing to Mrs Devine. But obviously being a TV drama we need a bit of jeopardy about whether the wedding will actually happen. And the makers have teased that a surprise visit from the father of the groom throws everything up in the air. They hint that there’s a doubt over whether the couple will make it to the church at all. We certainly hope they do!

We also have a few more clues about what will happen over the series… "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…"

The opening episode is called "The Battle of Kembleford". The BBC teases: "Celebrations commence for the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Kembleford, with the re-enactment organised by over-enthusiastic Historical Society head Tyrone Higgs (Richard David-Caine). Chief Inspector Sullivan (Tom Chambers) and Sergeant Goodfellow (John Burton) role-play the warring lords, Mrs Devine (Claudie Blakley) is Lady Catherine, whilst Brenda (Ruby-May Martinwood) bemoans that she can’t play a soldier! Meanwhile Sullivan is surprised by a visit from his father Walter (Denis Lawson), keen to make Mrs Devine’s acquaintance. When famous historian Alexander Manning (Luke Allen-Gale) arrives, officious amateur historian Frank Derbyshire (Nicholas Burns) has his nose put out of joint. Tensions rise throughout the evening, with Frank arguing with both his beloved wife Cecily (Melissa Johns) and Tyrone. As dawn breaks Brenda finds Frank murdered in most medieval fashion. Can Father Brown (Mark Williams) unmask the murderer and discover what truly happened at the Battle of Kembleford all those years ago?"

Is there a trailer?

No not yet!.

Father Brown season 12 behind the scenes and more

Father Brown season 12 star Mark Williams holding a clapperboard — (Image credit: BBC)

Father Brown is a BBC Studios Drama Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, commissioned by Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak commissioning. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Drama Productions is Neil Irvine and the Series Producer is David Innes Edwards. Helen Munson is the Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime. BBC Studios distributes Father Brown internationally.