‘Sister Boniface Mysteries’ is a heavenly delight
Category: Television and Streaming
The Father Brown series is now on its 9th season with the adorable and venerable Father helping out the local police. Now Sister Boniface takes on her own challenges with a different slant.
Unlike the Father Brown mysteries where his assistance is not overly appreciated by the local police, Sister Boniface (Lorna Watson) works side by side with law enforcement. And where Father Brown rides his bike to crime scenes, Sister Boniface drives her little Vespa with a sidecar. Also, she has the approval of the Bishop to work alongside the police.
Sister Boniface is a wiz at science and math and her expertise is put to good use when she helps with murder investigations. The series takes place in the 1960s in a quaint British village where everything is quiet, until it’s not!
Sister Boniface helps DI Gillespie (Max Brown) and newly arrived Bermudan DS Livingstone (Jerry Iwu) when they undertake some of the most interesting cases in the village of Great Slaughter.
“We are absolutely thrilled to see Sister Boniface return for a second series. Jude Tindall and the team of writers have created unforgettable characters full of wit and mischief,” said Will Trotter, Executive Producer, BBC Studios Drama Productions. “Lorna’s performance is as forensic as her character – the sharp intelligence, charm and warmth she brings to the role is an irresistible combination. The entire cast and crew have been a joy to work with, and I think that shines through in this big hearted and hugely original show.”
Watson recently spoke with members of the media about this show and her experiences.
“I would say, in terms of putting the character together, first of all, the scripts were so brilliant that I — because it had been such a long time since I did Father Brown, the scripts really informed me and, I have to say, sort of led the way.” It was evident the actor enjoys her on-screen character. “I feel like she has this sort of childlike element to her. She asks lots of questions. She’s quite sort of wide-eyed, puppy dog about the world. And I think I’m a little bit like that. I can be also quite surprisingly naïve, which I also think that she is. And there is an element of the silly about her at times as well.”
Watson told a story about not being recognized in the studio when she was not in her costume. “Something sort of takes over when I put the habit on and it’s one of those quite transformative costumes where you just sort of immediately become someone other. So the costume is really helpful, too, in that sense.” Plus, she added, that because she looks completely different when not in her habit, she is not recognized in her everyday life, but never acknowledged if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
The lighthearted and endearing Sister Boniface Mysteries is available to stream now on BritBox.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years and has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association, was a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.