While is currently off-air, fans may be tuning into its spin-off series, Sister Boniface Mysteries. The show features the titular Catholic nun solving murders in the fictional Cotswolds town of Great Slaughter during the 1960s.

Sister Boniface Mysteries first aired in 2022 and has been just as well-received as its predecessor, with the charming drama now entering its fourth season.

The nun juggles several roles on the show, including her religious duties, wine-making, and aiding the local police force with investigations thanks to her degree in forensic science.

Audiences were first introduced to Sister Boniface, portrayed by Lorna Watson, in the 2013 episode of Father Brown, The Bride of Christ.

In this episode, she was assisting Father Brown, played by Mark Williams, on a peculiar case involving nuns being murdered via cyanide poisoning, reports .

Most recently, Sister Boniface appeared in the season 11 episode of Father Brown titled The Forensic Nun in 2024.

Before taking on the role for series Father Brown and Sister Boniface Mysteries, the actress, writer, and comedian already had an impressive list of credits under her belt.

She's featured in Animal TV, Watson and Oliver, Rush Hour and The Long Door, as well as making guest appearances in shows like The Catherine Tate Show, Lead Balloon, Horrible Histories, The I.T. Crowd, and Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators.

Her writing credits include Class Dismissed, The Wrong Door, and Watson and Oliver.

Watson secured the lead role in the Sister Boniface Mysteries series nearly a decade after first portraying the nun in Father Brown, following a phone call from her agent. In an interview, the actress expressed her astonishment at how a single character appearance could spawn an entire TV drama, stating that her story offers "others actors hope".

The Sister Boniface Mysteries was conceived by writer Jude Tindall, who wrote the Father Brown episode The Bride of Christ. Watson revealed to Australian publication Daily Straits that playing a nun and forensic expert was uncharted territory for her, making it an exciting challenge.

She shared, "Over the years, I've gone on a journey with her and continue to learn more about the character."

Watson noted that her comedic background often had her playing "rather silly characters", making the sharp intellect of Sister Boniface a "refreshing change". The Sister Boniface Mysteries has gained global popularity, much like its parent series Father Brown, which Watson attributes to its blend of "quintessential English" charm, lightheartedness, cleverness, and warmth.

Beyond acting, Watson has ventured into writing, penning her first children's book and collaborating on a script with her partner Marcus Garvey. Reflecting on the cosy drama's appeal, Watson described the Sister Boniface Mysteries as an escape from the world's harsh realities, characterising it as "warm" and "comforting".

Father Brown is streaming on BBC iPlayer now

Sister Boniface is streaming for free on UKTV's streaming platform U