Sister Boniface Mysteries

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?

I loved this character when she appeared in Father Brown so I was delighted to see this spin-off. It is wonderful light, amusing British TV. Some of the dialogue makes you giggle. Occasionally you laugh out loud: "We took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They never said anything about sobriety." Looking forward to each week's episode.

Lorna Watson is fun as Sister Boniface and seems to have charisma to spare. The other cast members are fine as well and the production values are good. But something just doesn't work here. I think there are three problems. One, the writing just isn't as good as it could be. Mysteries shouldn't be boring but when you find yourself fast forwarding through a mystery, something is amiss. Second, there is nothing "nun like" in the character of Sister Boniface (aside from wearing a habit). She could be a librarian, a housewife or a pharmacist and it wouldn't change the plot lines one bit. In Father Brown, his Catholicism is regularly invoked so that (most of the time) you know it's a priest solving the mystery. Third, and most oddly, Sister Boniface doesn't seem to be the focus of the series. She plays pathologist, yes, and is ever present but she feels a bit sidelined at times. But it's a nice little time waster if you've nothing better to do.

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!

I was disappointed with the sterile portrayal of Sister Boniface in the first episode. But the character is developing more with each episode. The support characters are wonderfully cliched. Theres a ruggedly boyish detective, a liberated, feminist reporter, a tough, no-nonsense Mother Superior,a super cockney nun and the priggish land lady (can't believe it's Belinda Lang!). Rounding out the cast is a very pleasant Caribbean detective and a lovable junior policewoman. Is it intense highbrow drama? Not by a long shot. It is fun, silly, lighthearted entertainment and I look forward to the next episode!!