Father Brown transports audiences to the Cotswolds village of Kembleford

Father Brown’s 12th series has been captivating viewers with a fresh batch of compelling mysteries set in the quaint, fictional Cotswolds hamlet of Kembleford. Week after week, the eponymous cleric, portrayed by Mark Williams, delves into puzzling cases that entangle his parishioners.

The beloved detective series draws inspiration from the literary works of English writer G. K. Chesterton, who crafted a collection of 53 short stories featuring the insightful Father Brown.

Chesterton’s tales, which spanned from 1910 to 1936, introduced readers to Father Brown’s knack for solving crimes through his keen understanding of human nature and sharp intuition. While the television adaptation shares this central premise, it diverges significantly from its literary roots.

In Chesterton’s original stories, Father Brown hails from the made-up parish of Cobhole in Essex—a detail not mentioned in the early narratives—and his sleuthing adventures take him far beyond, including trips to London, other parts of England, and even overseas, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Another notable departure is the show’s setting in the 1950s, amidst the backdrop of post-war rationing, contrasting with the earlier time period of the books. Tom Chambers, who stars as Chief Inspector Sullivan, has previously expressed his admiration for the series’ filming location: “The Cotswolds are exceptional. Filming there is incredibly special because you know it’s going to look amazing on camera and the audience are going to relish the beautiful locations.

A priest and a man in a suit look serious

Father Brown shares a similar appearance and persona to the literary version (Image: BBC)

“We film in these incredible architecturally stunning buildings that are vast and huge, but then also in lovely little cottages and beautiful little Cotswolds backstreets surrounded by the English countryside; just beautiful.”

Reflecting on series 12, he remarked: “We filmed The Battle of Kembleford in a location that had tiered gardens and one of the highest natural gravity fed fountains in Europe. We would sometimes have to stop filming because they would let the fountain go for tourists who were coming to see it especially.

A group of people smile on a lawn

Father Brown is loosely based on the works of G.K. Chesterton (Image: BBC)“Other times they would turn it on so it could be in the background of the action. This fountain was huge, it was really stunning.”

The TV adaptation of Father Brown is much like other beloved crime dramas featuring a primary location, such as Grace, Vera, Midsomer Murders, and Luther. The show’s backdrop is just one of many divergences from the books to the television series, offering original stories entirely distinct from Chesterton’s creations.

Perhaps what remains most true to the original stories is Father Brown himself, seen in loose-fitting robes and clutching an umbrella. His demeanour may appear meek and non-threatening, yet beneath his unassuming presence lies a sharp mind for unravelling the knottiest criminal conundrums.