British Network Television & Radio

Is Poison a Woman’s Weapon of Choice?

‘Father Brown’: S13.E07. “The Bodhi Tree”…

Vicki Kisner’s “The Bodhi Tree”, first televised in the British Isles on Friday, March 6, 2026, saw the return of Lady Felicia Montague. Lady Felicia, a fan favorite character, has had a recurring presence in the daytime television series since Paul Gibson’s “The Tree of Truth” (2017).

While not actually seen in “The Tree of Truth”, voiced by Nancy Carroll, Lady Felicia is heard in a brief voice-over cameo. Carroll’s first on-screen appearance as a recurring character came in Christiana Ebohon-Green’s “The Face of the Enemy” (2018).

In Kisner’s “The Bodhi Tree”, from a teleplay penned by accomplished writer Rebecca Ramsden, we are introduced to Francis Dewfield. Mrs. Dewfield, a close personal friend of Lady Felicia, has converted the manor she owns into a Buddhist retreat. Lady Felicia invites Father Brown, Mrs. Isabel Sullivan, and Miss Brenda Palmer to visit her friend’s manor. What could go wrong?

It is at the retreat that they meet Lama Tenzin Choda. Lama Tenzin Choda is Mrs. Dewfield’s spiritual guide. They also meet Bastian Hawthorn, Shuggie Gower, and Tabitha Dewfield. Miss Dewfield, a non-believer, is celebrating her twenty-first birthday.

Yes. I know. There are a lot of moving parts throughout this episode. Sometimes, curiously, keeping track of what is what could be a full-time job.

Mrs. Dewfield is poisoned. Inspector Edgar Sullivan arrests Lama Tenzin Choda. Lama Tenzin Choda was not the only person who had a motive to kill Mrs. Dewfield. Why does the inspector always arrest the wrong person?

Father Brown, as he always does, uncovers each motivation. The only clue Father Brown has to go on, oddly, is a paperclip. The paperclip was discovered among the ashes and remaining parts of a burnt letter.

A significant plus, as previously referenced, is the return of Nancy Carroll as Lady Felicia Montague. Lady Felicia’s well-established lifestyle feels out of place with Mrs. Dewfield’s Buddhist retreat. Think about it. Lady Felicia is more than a little glamorous. Life at the retreat, minimal, is a more simplistic approach to living.

Fans, specifically long-time fans of Father Brown, have suggested Kisner’s “The Bodhi Tree” is more than a little absurd. Would a Catholic priest actively participate in a Buddhist ceremony?

Some people would suggest that, in the real world, this would never happen. Father Brown would not play an active role in the ceremony. Some individuals believe, based on the titular character’s history, Father Brown might have participated because he seemingly favors coexistence.

The absurdity, coupled with certain out-of-character moments, greatly diminishes the story. Lady Felicia appears to have developed an unquestionable devotion to her husband. She has always been flirtatious.

Let’s not forget that, during the thirteen-season run, we only saw Lord “Monty” Montague on screen during the 100th episode. Lady Felicia had considered Hercule Flambeau’s offer.

Flambeau, having provided Lady Felicia with a ticket, had suggested a new life in the United States. While this new life didn’t happen, curiously, this doesn’t mean Lady Felicia would somehow become devoted to Monty.

Key Cast for ‘Father Brown’: S13.E07. “The Bodhi Tree”…

• Mark Williams as Father Brown
• Claudie Blakley as Mrs. Isabel Sullivan
• Tom Chambers as Inspector Edgar Sullivan
• Ruby-May Martinwood as Miss Brenda Palmer
• John Burton as Sergeant Daniel Goodfellow
• Nancy Carroll as Lady Felicia Montague
• Daisy Beaumont as Mrs. Frances Dewfield
• Tom Wu as Tenzin Choda
• Gordon Kennedy as Shuggie Gower
• Jack Armstrong as Bastian Hawthorne
• Hermione Juniper Leitch as Miss Tabitha Dewfield