Commissioned for daytime TV schedules, the first few series were not massive ratings successes in the UK. The BBC contemplated canceling the show until they noticed sales to foreign TV networks were extraordinarily high. This persuaded them to stick with it where it became a slow-burn success with a loyal audience in the UK, especially when episodes became available on the BBC iPlayer and viewers normally out at work binge-watched over the Christmas holidays.
Mark Williams has said that he was surprised to be offered the lead role in the show as he hadn't read any of the books and was brought up in the Protestant faith. A real Catholic priest was brought on board as a consultant to show him how to give last rites, hold mass and how to pronounce some of the Latin terminology.
Filming takes place in the Gloucestershire village of Blockley using the church of Saints Peter and Paul (Church of England) as the St Mary Roman Catholic church of the series.
In the novels Father Brown does not have a busybody Church Secretary or a slightly bored Lady to assist him, his companion, when he has one, is the (probably) reformed thief and charmer Hercule Flambeau.
Flambeau appears in the first Father Brown story, where he plans to rob him. After the attempt fails miserably, the two become friends and often travel and work together.
The red roadster that Bunty drives is a 1951 Sunbeam Talbot II Coupe, 4-seater convertible. White interior with red piping accents.
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