Filming begins for Series 4 of "Sister Boniface Mysteries"

LONDON - Thursday 11th July: Filming has begun on the fourth series of the hugely popular BBC Studios Drama production, Sister Boniface Mysteries, a BritBox International and UKTV co-production created by Jude Tindall. The show will also return for another feature length Christmas special this December, written by Jude Tindall and directed by Paul Gibson.

Lorna Watson is back as TV's number one Vespa driving, crime-solving, Catholic nun alongside Max Brown as DI Sam Gillespie, Jerry Iwu as DS Felix Livingstone and Ami Metcalf as WPC Peggy Button. Series 4 guest cast include Les Dennis (Coronation Street), Katherine Kingsley (The Larkins), Martyn Ellis (Renegade Nell), Mina Anwar (The Sarah Jane Adventures), Ed Birch (The Witcher) and Daniel Laurie (Call the Midwife).

Returning by popular demand, this year's feature length festive special features the Great Slaughter Amateur Dramatics Society (GSADS) pantomime. This year it's Cinderella and with the appointment of a celebrity director the pressure is on to deliver their biggest and best performance yet. Rehearsals commence but soon cast members start dropping like flies. Can Sister Boniface catch the killer before they strike again? Will GSADS give the public the festive theatrical treat they deserve? And, most importantly, can Sam and Felix pull off a polka in a pantomime horse?

Elsewhere in the series 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". Meanwhile Reverend Mother Adrian (Carolyn Pickles) is keeping a secret, one that could tear the Sisters lives apart as they know it...

Lorna Watson says: "It's brilliant to be back with the gang for series four. I feel very lucky to be part of such a lovely show and can't wait to get cracking, solving crime in the Cotswolds sunshine."

Neil Irvine, Executive Producer at BBC Studios says: "I'm thrilled that TV's favourite forensic nun is returning for a fourth series. The alchemy created by Jude, Lorna and our wonderful cast and Midlands crew continues to delight viewers worldwide. This series sees a serial killer on the loose at the Christmas Pantomime and a threat to the convent itself. I can't wait for the audience to find out if this is the end for St Vincent's..."

Robert Schildhouse, President BritBox North America & General Manager BritBox International said: "Sister Boniface Mysteries is a BritBox staple, and we look forward to sharing a new season of crimes, capers, and Sixties shenanigans with our eager audience."

Emma Ayech, Channel Director for Drama, UKTV says: "I'm delighted that Sister Boniface Mysteries is back for another series and a second Christmas special. As one of UKTV's top-performing titles, its first Christmas special was a huge hit with our audience, and series three, which returned earlier this month to Drama & UKTV Play, continues to captivate viewers. Get ready for more sleuthing fun with our favourite nun - there's never a dull moment in Great Slaughter!"

Sister Boniface Mysteries is made by BBC Studios Drama Productions as a co-production for BritBox International and UKTV. The Script Producer is Dawn Coulson-Beckett. The Executive Producers are Neil Irvine for BBC Studios, Stephen Nye and Robert Schildhouse for BritBox International, and Claire Hookway for UKTV. It was ordered for U&DRAMA by Emma Ayech, channel director, and Emily Hall, global acquisitions executive for UKTV & BBC Studios, completed the deal. BBC Studios handles international distribution.

Filming is taking place in and around the Cotswolds and Sister Boniface Mysteries Series 4 will air next year on BritBox International and on UKTV's U&Drama in the UK.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

About Drama

Sky 143, Virgin Media 130, Freeview 20, Freesat 158

+1 Sky 243, Virgin Media 226, Freeview, 60

On demand on Sky, Virgin Media & UKTV Play

Free-to-air channel Drama is passionate about bringing Britain the best quality drama. From period to contemporary, family to comedy, the channel is a treasure trove of well-loved classics and modern drama with stories for viewers to fully immerse themselves in.

With programmes including familiar favourites Call the Midwife, The Bill, New Tricks and Silent Witness, and brand new and exclusive hits Sister Boniface Mysteries, Whitstable Pearl and Signora Volpe this is the channel where viewers can escape and indulge in a handpicked range of the nation's most celebrated TV dramas.

The channel's offering has also expanded in recent years with the UKTV Original TV adaptation of Robert Thorogood's hit novel The Marlow Murder Club. This two-part series stars Samantha Bond as no-nonsense, crossword-setter and wild-swimmer, Judith Potts, alongside Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew.

Programming on U

U will become home to thousands of hours of free content from a raft of genres, including: drama (Annika, Holby City, Madam Secretary, Sister Boniface Mysteries, A Million Little Things), comedy (Meet the Richardsons, Red Dwarf, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, We Are Not Alone), entertainment (Big Zuu's Big Eats, David Mitchell's Outsiders, QI, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, World's Most Dangerous Roads) and factual entertainment (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, MasterChef Australia, Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums, Secrets of the London Underground, Bangers & Cash). U will also give viewers access to exclusive shows, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic programmes from the BBC.

About UKTV

UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview and Freesat; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV's content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee Pluto TV and Virgin Media.

UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.

corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress

About BritBox International

BritBox is a digital subscription video on demand service streaming the best of British TV to audiences internationally. BritBox delivers the UK's favourite programmes, ranging from brand new commissions to gems, across a variety of genres, including critically-acclaimed drama, crime thrillers, classic comedy and powerful documentaries, alongside reality hits and entertainment.

BritBox is available on multiple platforms, including via the web, mobile, tablet, streaming devices and connected TVs, with the offering in each market showcasing the depth and breadth of British creativity. With the support of the BBC providing a pipeline of exceptional content, BritBox is home to a wealth of titles from its parent company (BBC Studios), in addition to completely new original commissions from British production companies specifically created for BritBox and acquisitions from third parties. BritBox.com | press: BritBoxInternational.com

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group with sales of £2.1 billion (2021/22: £1,630 million). Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the global Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Channels & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. Around 2,500 hours of award-winning British programmes are made by the business every year, with over 80% of total BBC Studios revenues coming from non-BBC customers including Discovery, Apple and Netflix. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC.com is BBC Studios' global digital news platform, offering up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features.

BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram |