The cherished British actor, Mark Williams, famed for his portrayal as the sleuthing clergyman in ‘Father Brown’, has shared a comedic tale from behind the scenes of the hit show’s twelfth run.
Detailing experiences from the latest series, which debuted on One recently, the veteran actor spoke out about a thing or two he felt deprived of during the shoot of the widely-loved period mystery series.
Nestled in the heartwarming and fictitious landscape of Kembleford, set in the early 1950s, ‘Father Brown’ necessitates the genuine ambience of that era, encompassing the dress code and classic vehicles that Father Brown uses to untangle a spate of intriguing puzzles.
Williams, taking the helm, conveyed his fervour for the period automobiles featured during production while noting how the shooting locations are just a stone’s throw from Birmingham and Coventry, storied epicentres of automobile production in Britain.
The star recounted one of the “chief joys” of participating in the series, which is interacting with “the amazing pieces of machinery we get”.
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Actor Mark Williams shared his mishap while shooting Father Brown (Image: BBC)
But even though he boasts an avid interest in vintage motors, Williams’ on-screen alter ego lacks driving credentials, opting instead for his iconic bicycle, reports .
This preference presented a snag whilst moving around on location, culminating in a mishap. Sharing his anecdote with the , Williams detailed the mishap: “Driving on gravel is my main problem, and a lot of the big houses we film at have gravel drives. I once had to cycle in pursuit of a baddie and hit some deep gravel.”
Mark Williams, who plays the titular character, explained: “We shot the scene in front of a hotel and I ended up coming to an ungraceful stop. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get off in time so I fell off sideways.”
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The star spoke openly about his bike accident (Image: BBC)
He added: “A young lad in the hotel kitchen saw me keel over and collapsed in laughter. I was very happy to give that lad the best laugh of his week.”
Father Brown, which debuted on Daytime in 2013, has grown into a global phenomenon with 130 episodes. The 11th series concluded with an average of 2.5 million viewers per episode.
The show has gained immense international popularity, airing in countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and India, among others. And in more exciting news for fans, the show has been renewed for a 13th series, set to air on One and iPlayer.
Father Brown is available to watch on IPlayer