On the hunt for your next binge-watch? Look no further, as we’ve got some brand new crime drama brilliance for you! Sister Boniface Mysteries has returned to U&Drama with a fourth series that’s bigger than ever, according to its lead star Lorna Watson. The period detective drama is set in ‘60s England and follows an, ahem, very unconventional nun with a penchant for crime-solving. And it’s the perfect comfort watch!
The case-cracking, crime-fighting nun, Sister Boniface (played by Lorna Watson), is set to return to the village of Great Slaughter with some new mysterious goings-on for her to look into. In series 4, Sister Boniface is tasked with investigating some strange deaths at the village’s annual Scarecrow Festival, the set of a TV gameshow, a surprise birthday ceilidh and a shoe factory.
While we wait for Sister Boniface Mysteries series 4 to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.
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What is Sister Boniface Mysteries about?
Sister Boniface Mysteries is a spin-off of the BBC’s beloved 2013 Father Brown series about a crime-busting priest. It’s set in the 1960s in the fictional Cotswolds village of Great Slaughter and follows titular Catholic nun Sister Boniface (Lorna Watson). But she’s no ordinary nun - she’s a Vespa-riding Sister with a PhD in forensic science, meaning she moonlights as the local police’s scientific adviser and teams up with DI Sam Gillespie (Max Brown), DS Felix Livingstone (Jerry Iwu), and WPC Peggy Button (Ami Metcalf) to do so. Each week, there’s a new case for her to crack - which she does alongside typical nun actives such as making wine.
In series 1, which first aired in 2022, Sister Boniface was called upon to solve murders at a local festival, a TV series set, an art gallery, allotment and more. While the 2023 second instalment saw cases include deaths at a talent show, a chess championship, and a pirate radio station. The third series arrived last year and found Sister Boniface heading - magnifying glass in hand - to the home of an author, a sci-fi convention, a perfumery company and a cricket club, among others. There was also a Christmas special which aired last year, which saw a body being found near where the local Christmas pantomime was staged.
What will happen in Sister Boniface Mysteries series 4?
In series 4, which has 8 episodes, we’ll see even more quirky crimes in unusual locations being solved. According to the official synopsis: “A bucking bronco goes haywire on the set of a game show, a killer scarecrow stalks the streets of Great Slaughter, the Scottish invade, a femme fatale drops to her death in a stunt gone wrong and to top it all CC Lowsley (Robert Dawes) has arranged something called “team building”.” Phew!
Speaking to Radio Times about what viewers can expect in series 4, Max Brown - who plays DI Sam Gillespie - said: "There’s quite a few up and downs, actually, we have threats of losing the whole set-up with the force and our investigation team. There’s all of those lovely moments to play through, and yeah, really complex cases this year, lots of brilliant and kind of funny moments as Sister Boniface’s mind wanders off and explores the unexplorable for most people."
Meanwhile, Lorna Watson, who stars as Sister Boniface, teased: “Tensions are high, I think the residents of Great Slaughter are brought together and you really feel that sense of unity, togetherness and camaraderie. I would say it’s quite big this series." She added: "I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Max and I, we say this every year, but just when you think it couldn’t get any bigger, it does. I really feel like this is a big series with a lot going on and we had an absolute hoot shooting it. I really hope people enjoy it, it’s exciting.”
Who’s in the cast of Sister Boniface Mysteries series 4?
The returning cast of Sister Boniface Mysteries includes:
- Lorna Watson as Sister Boniface
- Max Brown as DI Sam Gillespie
- Jerry Iwu as DS Felix Livingstone
- Ami Metcalf as WPC Peggy Button
- Carolyn Pickles as Rev Mother Adrian
The guest cast of Sister Boniface Mysteries series 4 includes:
- Elaine C Smith (Two Doors Down)
- Tony Gardner (Last Tango in Halifax)
- Phil Cornwell (Stella Street)
- Gordon Kennedy (Vera, Harlots)
- Peter Wright (Vanity Fair)
Is Sister Boniface Mysteries any good?
Yes - it’s a lighthearted, cosy series with a charming lead in Lorna Watson. Whodunnit fans will love its clever mysteries, and it’s set in the picturesque backdrop of the Cotswolds in the 1960s, giving it a retro spin. Viewers have called it “wonderful light, amusing British TV”, and praised its comedic characters.
How can I watch Sister Boniface Mysteries series 4?
Good news! Sister Boniface Mysteries series 4 will launch on U&Drama on Friday 26th September at 9pm. You can catch up on series 1-3 on U, and series 1 and 2 can also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
