Filming locations for Father Brown series 13 including ‘remarkable’ pub and disused convent

Mrs Isabel Sullivan played by Claudie Blakely and Father Brown played by Mark Williams(Image: BBC)

Father Brown made its comeback to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Friday, 9 January, with the arrival of series 13. Mark Williams returned to embody the titular character, the crime-solving priest inspired by GK Chesterton’s beloved literary creation.

Broadcasting weekly at 2pm, the latest series welcomes back popular cast members, including Tom Chambers as Inspector Sullivan, Claudie Blakley as the newly-wed Mrs Isabel Sullivan, Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda, and John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow. Additionally, Nancy Carroll reprises her role as Lady Felicia, alongside John Light as Hercule Flambeau, Lex Shrapnel as Father Lazarus, Roger May as Canon Fox, and Kieran Hodgson as Father Lindsey.

In a delightful surprise, Sorcha Cusack has returned as Mrs McCarthy after a four-year absence, whilst guest appearances include Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman and Absolutely Fabulous star Julia Sawalha.

The show’s filming locations continue to captivate audiences, showcasing stunning vistas of the English countryside throughout each series.

Mark Williams as Father Brown in series 13(Image: BBC)

Set in the fictional Kembleford village, Father Brown predominantly films across the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire, with the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Blockley serving as the priest’s parish church, reports the Express.

Several Cotswolds locations in series 13 particularly resonated with Mark Williams. He revealed: “My father was an architect, and he taught me to look at buildings.”

Highlighting a handful of the exceptional filming venues in the new series, he continued: “This year on Father Brown has been an absolute pleasure; we filmed in a remarkable National Trust-owned pub, The Fleece Inn, we filmed in a disused convent with a chapel built designed by Ninian Comper which is a jewel, we were in the best Baroque church in the UK at Great Witley, and also at a real prison.”

He added: “I get very excited about filming in remarkable buildings because it sets the scene so very well.”

Mark Williams as Father Brown in series 13(Image: BBC)

Ruby May-Martinwood, who portrays Brenda, also praised the stunning filming locations throughout series 13. Reflecting on her standout experiences during production, she shared: “We had a Father Brown Run Club – set up by the lovely camera crew! This was great for crew and cast to spend some time together and get fit! And of course Mark’s spirit, experience and humour got us all through each day!”.

She continued: “We filmed a Yoga episode this year which I really enjoyed, it was in a beautiful location like most of the Cotswolds, we’re very lucky to be filming in such a gorgeous place in the country.”

Series 13 additionally features scenes shot at Weston-super-Mare beach. Discussing this coastal setting, Mark commented: “I have been angling for years for us to go to the seaside, because a trip on the charabanc is so 1950s.

“We finally worked it out and we went, of course, to Weston-super-Mare, which was the first port of call for anybody in the Midlands because it is the closest seaside. We had a great time there and, of course, we ate the regulatory fish and chips. We also had the wonderful company of Maureen Lipman, Alex Macqueen and Julia Sawalha as our guest stars in that episode.”

Filming for Father Brown took place on a beach for series 13(Image: BBC)

The thirteenth instalment of Father Brown continues from where the previous series concluded, following the nuptials of the newly married Sullivans. The synopsis reads: “Following the jubilant wedding celebrations at the end of series 12, the new Mr and Mrs Sullivan settle into married life and a new home, with Isabel thrilled to be welcomed into the Policeman’s Wives Society.

“Meanwhile, Brenda goes on a journey of self-empowerment as she covers the role of Parish Secretary and learns to drive with the help of Sergeant Goodfellow. Father Brown is tasked by Flambeau to visit Father Lazarus in prison, resulting in a deadly game of cat and mouse which ruffles the feathers of Canon Fox.

“With his consecration now looming, Bishop-Elect Fox plans to enact his revenge upon Father Brown, leaving Kembleford changed forever. And in a Father Brown first – the group take a trip to the seaside!”.