BBC Father Brown’s Mark Williams recalls on-set accident as he exposes key ‘problem’ with character
Father Brown star Mark Williams, 65, has opened up on an embarrassing accident he suffered while filming ahead of the next series.
The actor, who plays the titular character, also revealed something he is missing out on with the period drama.
The cozy detective show is set in the fictional Cotswold village of Kembleford during the early 1950s.
The time period requires era accurate locations, costumes and even cars – something that Williams has long marvelled at.
He described “chief joys” of filming Father Brown is “the amazing pieces of machinery we get”.
“In the Cotswolds we are quite close to Birmingham and Coventry which were of course the centre of British car production, so we have this amazing resource of period motors,” the actor gushed.
Willimas fondly recalled the “ooohing and aaahing” at the beautiful vehicles, especially those from “forgotten” brands of cars like “Armstrong Siddeley, Alvis and Sunbeam.”
“Nothing creates a feel of the period better than an old car,” he adds with the concession the vintage motos are something he “can’t really properly appreciate” as the star of the show.
He admitted: “My problem is Father Brown can’t drive, so I have to make do with a bike.”
“Not that I don’t love my bike don’t love my bike. It’s a Pashley, made in Stratford with old-fashioned drum gears its actually very good uphill which is a blessing,” Willaims added.
However, Father Brown’s preferred pedalled mode of transport does pose some issues for the actor. Particularly on the gravel paths leading to the many mansions and stately homes the priest visits.
“I once had to cycle in pursuit of a baddie and hit some deep gravel,” Williams began, remembering a particularly embarrassing moment.
He continued: “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.”
“A young lad in the hotel kitchen saw me keel over and collapsed in laughter,” the 65-year-old recalled.
Far from being bitter, the Harry Potter actor revealed he was “very happy to give that lad the best laugh of his week.”
Tom Chambers, 47, who plays Kembleford’s Chief Inspector Edgar Sullivan was also in a nostalgic mood as he looked back on his time with Father Brown.
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He explained that the show: “Is a magical concoction, it has a recipe that is so loving, caring, considerate,” Chambers began.
Explaining the enduring appeal of the “delightful to watch” show, he adds: “It’s a very warm and gentle murder mystery with stunning locations and it has something about it that really connects with an audience.”