Future of popular crime series revealed before new season even hits screens

A popular BBC spin-off series has been recommissioned for a fourth season, with production due to start this Summer.

The third series of Sister Boniface Mysteries premiered on BritBox in the US today (April 24) with a double episode and will later air in the UK.

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If you're a fan of the Father Brown spin-off show we've got some good news - a fourth series has officially been green lit by Britbox.

Former IT Crowd star Lorna Watson returns as TV’s favourite Vespa-driving, crime-solving Catholic nun, Sister Boniface, in the third series of the popular crime drama Sister Boniface Mysteries.

And even though Father Brown is a BBC Production, Sister Boniface Mysteries is actually a BritBox original. 

Therefore, season three’s first episode will debut on BritBox in the US before landing in the U.K.

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The 10-episode first series of Sister Boniface Mysteries premiered in February 2022 on the BritBox streaming service and was later released in the UK on the UKTV Drama channel. 

Starring alongside Lorna in series three is Rupert Vansittart (Game of Thrones, Gentleman Jack), Siobhan Redmond (Queens of Mystery, Two Doors Down) and Timothy West (Last Tango in Halifax, Gentleman Jack).

The new season's synopsis reads: “Britain is in the grips of the ‘Big Freeze’ – the worst winter on record. 

“Sister Boniface and her fellow travellers are stranded in a train after a frozen coupling snaps, leaving the last carriages stranded in snow. 

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“When The Star of the Orient, a precious jewel, is stolen from its safe and a passenger is discovered murdered, Sister Boniface must use her exceptional detection skills to decide who among the suspects is responsible. 

“But with little signs of rescue and a failing generator, passengers must also contend with a more pressing issue – freezing to death.

“Elsewhere in the series, a famous organist is murdered mid-tune in the chapel, Great Slaughter’s first sci-fi convention results in a mysterious kidnapping and a ‘dead cert’ at the screen tests for the new ‘Agent Best’ ends up, well… dead.

"To top it all, Felix has a challenge of his own when his fiancée Victoria arrives from Bermuda with an ultimatum which could change everything…”

Speaking about the upcoming series, Lorna said: “Playing Sister Boniface is a dream, as is filming in the Cotswolds, so I’m thrilled to be back for another series. 

“I can’t wait to get the team back together, jump on the Vespa and see what crimes there are to solve in series three!”

Neil Irvine, Executive Producer at BBC Studios, added: “Over the last two series, Sister Boniface Mysteries has developed an enthusiastic and dedicated following both in the UK and internationally, so we’re delighted to be bringing her back for a third series.

“Lorna Watson will return with fan favourites DI Sam Gillespie (Max Brown), DS Felix Livingstone (Jerry Iwu) and WPC Peggy Button (Ami Metcalf) also starring. One thing’s for sure, if there’s evidence to be found, Sister Boniface will find it.”

BritBox and the BBC have yet to announce further details about the forthcoming fourth season.