Le indagini di Sister Boniface

We have so many tropes here in this unexpectedly-spirited new arrival on BBC in early 2022.

We have the knowledgeable religious person (a nun who originated in series one of "Father Brown")

We have some kind of reverse Windrush Generation for 1960 - a detective from the West Indies, transferring in to Scotland Yard in London, who arrives on a (nicely-preserved) steam train in the west country village of Lower Slaughter (don't ask!) and settles into the ranks of the local constabulary.

The village detective depends upon the nun (who has a chemistry PhD and worked in Bletchley park during World War 2 (did I mention this is set in 1960?) Giving us some kind of reverse "death in paradise" homage to "In the heat of the night" (which would be filmed five years later...

And yet - it works!. Intellectually un-taxing, this is material and storylines which would probably pop up in the 8PM Sunday "Heartbeat" slot on British TV a decade back.

The early 1960s scene is beautifully crafted and, with a ten-episode first season (and confirmation in Q1-2022 that a series two will be commissioned) I predict that we shall be enjoying this 2020s creation for some time to come.

I wonder who will start the fanfiction storylines?

The first episode was good and had good promise. The motive of the murder was stupid but at least it was watchable. I have seen 2 more and for me it is going downhill. With so much else to watch on TV, I would rather spend my rest and relaxing time watching something else.

The story needs a backstory of how Sister Boniface got so much power over the police department. They just show up and expect the sister to do all the intel work and then they clean up the rest.

If you are looking for farcical no brain activity type of story, then this is for you.

But if you want something that is more intelligent, there are plenty of other shows to choose from.

Yes, it's pretty, yes the costumes instil Sunday evening style swooning nostalgia, however, the acting and plot lines are appalling. Think Father Brown with less credulous storylines, complete with wooden acting and a direct attempt to entertain that falls totally from the mark. I have never ever left a review, but this is absolutely awful. So bad it lets down the pretty sets and nostalgic costumes. Such a shame, I was looking forward to this!

As we wait for news on a new series of Father Brown, we're given a very unusual spinoff series. Having appeared and impressed in just one episode, the bespectacled, enthusiastic Sister Boniface gets her own series.

It is definitely worth a watch, don't go expecting anything too serious, or heavy, it's arguably lighter than even Father Brown.

It's light, it's funny, it looks beautiful, some wonderful guest actors, and a nice regular cast. I was particularly happy to see Belinda Lang, what a class act she is, the prickly housekeeper is as far from Bill Porter as you can get.

It really does develop as it progresses, I enjoyed the first episode very much, and the last few in particular.

I would have loved it if Mark Williams had appeared in a couple of episodes, that would have been a nice touch. His presence was very much welcome.

Roll on Series 2.

Charming, 8/10.

Father Brown has matured after multiple series and based on a famous book by a famous author. Sister Boniface is a breath of fresh air. It's not brow beating your idea of religion or Catholicism. Great script, swift and solid plots keep the story driving along smoothly. The characters are great as are the actors. Always good to have period dramas, they seem to pluck at peoples nostalgic heartstrings like FB . Unlike Agatha Raisin or Shakespeare & Hathaway it deals with back stories lightly and concentrates on the plot. The main point is that Sister Boniface is a likeable character. Do not review this after one episode. It's unfair. It's a great tonic. Highly recommend!