Father Brown Temporarily Removed from BBC One Schedule
Fans of the long-running detective series Father Brown were met with disappointment today as the show was unexpectedly pulled from its regular broadcasting slot. The programme, which stars Mark Williams as the crime-solving clergyman, has been a staple of Friday afternoons on BBC One since the premiere of its thirteenth series last month.
Olympic Coverage Disrupts Regular Programming
In a significant shake-up to the television schedules, Father Brown has been removed to make way for the BBC's comprehensive coverage of the Winter Olympics from Milan-Cortina. The broadcaster is committed to delivering over 450 hours of live action, showcasing elite winter sports and unmissable moments from snow and ice disciplines.
This scheduling disruption means that the anticipated episode titled The Obedient Wife will not air on Friday, February 13, as originally planned. Furthermore, the series will also be absent next week, with no broadcast scheduled for Friday, February 20.
Impact on Other BBC Programmes
Father Brown is not the only show affected by the Olympic coverage. Several other popular BBC dramas and programmes have been either moved or pulled entirely, including:
- Death in Paradise
- Silent Witness
- MasterChef
- The FA Cup coverage
The extensive Olympic broadcasting is expected to continue until February 22, after which normal scheduling will resume across the network.
Return Date and Alternative Viewing Options
Viewers can expect Father Brown to return to its usual 2pm slot on Friday, February 27. For those eager to continue following the latest adventures from Kembleford, the entire thirteenth series is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Series 13 Cast and Plot Details
The new season sees the return of several beloved cast members alongside Mark Williams, including:
- Tom Chambers as Inspector Sullivan
- Claudie Blakley as the new Mrs Isabel Sullivan
- Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda
- John Burton as Sergeant Goodfellow
- Sorcha Cusack as Mrs McCarthy
Additionally, the series features an array of guest stars for individual episodes, such as Maureen Lipman, Julia Sawalha, Phil Daniels, Debra Stephenson, Davood Ghadami, Kevin Harvey, George Rainsford, and Timothy Watson.
The plot of series 13 continues the narrative from the previous season, focusing on the newly married Sullivans as they settle into domestic life. Brenda embarks on a journey of self-empowerment while covering the role of Parish Secretary, and Father Brown becomes entangled in a dangerous game with Father Lazarus in prison. Meanwhile, Canon Fox plots revenge against Father Brown as his consecration approaches, promising to change Kembleford forever. In a first for the series, the characters also take a trip to the seaside.
Father Brown continues to be available for viewing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with regular broadcasts set to resume later this month following the conclusion of the Winter Olympics coverage.
