Father Brown is set to return for a 13th season in 2026 after the latest series concluded on the BBC earlier this year. The show, which has amassed a significant international fanbase in addition to its loyal British viewership, is based loosely on G.K. Chesterton's character of the same name.
It follows a Catholic priest as he solves mysteries in a charming Cotswolds parish. However, the BBC adaptation has transported the drama from an early 20th-century Essex parish to the fictional Cotswolds village of Kembleford in post-War 1950s Britain.
Despite these changes, the character of thief M. Hercule Flambeau, a reformed criminal who aids Father Brown in his investigations, has been included in the TV version, reports Gloucestershire Live.
British actor John Light plays Flambeau in the series. Fans are eager to learn more about Light's personal life, particularly given his previous marriage to Hollywood star Neve Campbell, known for her role in the Scream franchise and Party of Five.
The couple reportedly met in 2001 while working on the independent film Investigating Sex and later became engaged. According to People, Light proposed to Campbell by reciting Shakespeare.
Light and Campbell tied the knot in a charming ceremony in Malibu, Los Angeles, back in 2007, with the couple setting up home in Islington, north London, as reported by the Daily Mail.
However, their marriage came to an end in 2010 when the actress sought a divorce on the grounds of "irreconcilable differences".
Before her relationship with Light, Campbell was married to Canadian actor Jeff Colt from 1995 until their separation in 1998.
John Light, known for his role in Father Brown, continues to captivate audiences with his recurring guest appearances in the beloved BBC series.
As the enigmatic Flambeau, Light has become a fixture in the show, making an appearance in one episode each season.
Flambeau's debut in the BBC series coincided with the adaptation of Chesterton's first-ever Father Brown short story, The Blue Cross.
The character of Flambeau was seamlessly integrated into the show's narrative by the BBC. In a break from tradition later on, he featured in two consecutive episodes in season nine.
In the latest season 12, Light returned as Flambeau in The Cup of Calabria, which saw him embroiled in a clandestine operation involving the Vatican.
Fans can look forward to Flambeau's return in the eagerly anticipated season 13.
Mark Williams, who stars as Father Brown, has lauded Light's portrayal, saying: "I love the Flambeau episodes, it feels like we are in a 1950s thriller and John Light plays him to the hilt."
Father Brown season 12 is streaming on BBC iPlayer now
