What happened in EastEnders tonight: Zoe's off the hook and Sharon's back in Walford
Sharon was furious to see Zoe
Zoe was taken to the police station for questioning in Monday’s episode of EastEnders (September 22), but before Zoe could celebrate her release, Sharon Watts arrived at the pub to confront Zoe over their shared past.
Here’s everything that happened in EastEnders tonight.
Zoe was taken to the police station
At the Slater house, the family discussed Zoe, questioning how she could abandon a baby. As Zoe stood in the hallway listening in, Jean claimed it was all ‘drama, drama, drama’ since Zoe returned. Because, before she arrived back, the Slaters lives’ was all sunshine and roses.
But as if to prove Jean’s point, DS Spencer soon arrived to talk to Zoe. She shared the news that Greg Dolan has been charged with attempted murder, but added he has accused Zoe of assault.
Zoe was asked to go down to the station to answer a few questions, and she was led to the waiting police car outside.
Kat headed to Phil’s house and begged him to call his hot shot lawyer, Ritchie Scott. Using emotional blackmail over Tommy to convince him, Phil granted her this favour.
At the police station, Ritchie arrived and took control. She worked her magic and Zoe was quickly released, meaning she is off the hook.
Sharon returned to EastEnders and came face to face with Zoe
Along with the police, Zoe Slater also had Sharon to deal with. After a long break, Sharon finally returned to the Square with son Albie after visiting Michelle in Australia.
The first person Sharon saw as she climbed out of a taxi was Zoe, who was having a cup of tea on the Street in her pyjamas. As you do.
Sharon went home and immediately questioned Zack and Vicki on why they hadn’t told her Zoe was back.
Zack and Vicki tried to keep Sharon calm, but she struggled as she pointed out: “She got pregnant by our dad and tried to persuade Dennis it was his so she could take him away from me. She left our dad for dead and tried to cover it up.”
Sharon did manage to take stock for a minute though as she remembered to tell Vicki that Michelle was moving to Florida with Mark Jr.
But talk soon returned to Zoe, with Zack reminding Sharon that it all happened 20 years ago.
Their words must have hit home as Sharon later went to see Zoe in the pub. She informed Zoe that she is tired, and after losing her son, and Martin’s death, she just wants to move forward.
She added that if Zoe wants to stay in the Square, she won’t get in the way. Shocked by Sharon’s word, Zoe thanked her.
Kat had bad news for Zoe
With Zoe now having two things to celebrate, she was eager to get the Champagne out in The Queen Vic. But Kat soon put a stop to her cheer.
Stacey let it slip that Zoe had a mystery man with her when she went to see Greg.
Viewers of course know that the mystery man is Max Branning.
Kat later asked Zoe about the mystery man as well as asking who the father of her twins is. Zoe refused to answer, leading Kat to make a big announcement.
Kat had previously said she’d give Zoe the money for an investigator to help her find her son. But she told Zoe that she would no longer be doing that if Zoe couldn’t be honest with her.
Father Brown series 13: Everything we know including Mrs McCarthy's shock return and start date
Harry Potter star Mark Williams returns as the sleuthing clergyman who's based on the classic character created by GK Chesterton.
Father Brown series 13 will feature a string of taxing cases and a great guest cast. Plus, in a Father Brown first they head off to the seaside. Obviously, it doesn't go to plan.
Here's everything we know about the new series including when it starts...
When does Mrs McCarthy return?
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Welcome back! Mrs McCarthy makes a surprise return (Credit: BBC)[/caption]
The biggest surprise in the opening story of the new series, The Good Refuge, is the return of Mrs McCarthy. The Irish parish secretary featured in the very first episode of Father Brown in 2013 and quickly became a firm fan favourite.
Everyone loved the way she strongly expressed her opinions and always defended Father Brown. She also found herself in danger on many occasions.
The character, played by Sorcha Cusack, was last seen in the final episode of series 9 in 2022. So it's great to have her back for the first episode of Father Brown series 13. However, it's not a permanent return to the show as she just features in episode 1.
What's the plot of Father Brown series 13?
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When Flambeau shows up it always mean danger for Father Brown[/caption]
Father Brown once again runs into criminal mastermind Flambeau. Despite Flambeau's illegal activities, there's always been a rapport between the pair. In the new series, Flambeau tasks Father Brown with visiting Father Lazarus in prison. The BBC teases Father Brown enters a "deadly game of cat and mouse which ruffles the feathers of Canon Fox".
Bishop-Elect Fox plans to take his revenge upon Father Brown, which could have major consequences for Kembleford. Can Father Brown manage to secure his position in his parish?
Plus, the new Mr and Mrs Sullivan settle into married life and a new home. Isabel is delighted to be welcomed into the Policeman’s Wives Society.
Meanwhile, Brenda starts to learn how to drive with the help of Sergeant Goodfellow and loves the chance to cover the role of Parish Secretary.
Where was Father Brown series 13 filmed?
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Brenda, Sgt Goodfellow, Father Brown, Inspector Sullivan and Isabel hit the beach (Credit: BBC)[/caption]
Star Mark Williams loves filming Father Brown because the cast and crew visit so many amazing places.
Mark says: "We have filmed in The Chateaux Impney a French fantasy in Droitwich, the little theatre in Chipping Norton (an ex Salvation Army Citadel), the wonderful 18th Century octagonal Crown Courts in Warwick and an atmospheric ex-Nunnery in Great Malvern with a glorious chapel by Ninian Comper.
"Also, The Fleece Inn in Bretforton which is a English pub time capsule, the spectacular Baroque church at Great Witley, and to top it off a selection of lovely stone Cotswold houses and churches. What a fabulous itinerary. And we filmed an episode at the seaside!"
It's hard to imagine Father Brown at the beach!
Is Kembleford a real place?
No, the beautiful village of Kembleford where the show is set isn't a real place. The exterior of the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Blockley, Gloucestershire, doubles for Father Brown's church, St Mary's. Much of Kembleford is in fact Blockley, which has a population of just over 2,000 and dates back to the Saxons.
While the series is set in the Cotswolds, the early books by GK Chesterton were based in Cobhole, a fictitious village in Essex.
In Chesterton's later books, Father Brown travelled all over the country for his cases. He even went abroad! In total, Chesterton wrote 53 short stories about Father Brown.
Who's in the cast?
Mark Williams is back as Father Brown, with Sorcha Cusack guesting in episode 1 as Mrs McCarthy. Tom Chambers returns as Inspector Sullivan along with Claudie Blakley as the new Mrs Isabel Sullivan.
John Burton once more plays the dependable Sergeant Goodfellow, with Ruby-May Martinwood as Brenda. Plus, John Light reprises his role as likeable villain Hercule Flambeau,
Also in the new series are Nancy Carroll as Lady Felicia, Lex Shrapnel as Father Lazarus, Roger May as Canon Fox and Kieran Hodgson as Father Lindsey.
Father Brown has a reputation for great guest stars and the new series doesn't disappoint on that front. Maureen Lipman, Julia Sawalha, Phil Daniels, and Debra Stephenson will all make guest appearances. Plus, Davood Ghadami, Kevin Harvey, George Rainsford and Timothy Watson.
What happened at the end of Father Brown series 12?
Isabel handed her resignation to Father Brown, saying she planned to move to London with the Inspector after her wedding. Sullivan had been offered the position of Detective Superintendent.
But Isabel didn't in her heart want to go. She has always loved Kembleford and she was alarmed at the size of London when Sullivan handed her a map.
Sullivan's bullying father, Walter (Denis Lawson) was keen for his son to move to London. So keen he'd only give his blessing to the marriage if they went to the capital.
However, during the episode Sullivan learned that his father had sabotaged his mother's dreams of being a doctor. Not only that, but he'd hit a man with his car and left him to die. So, Sullivan fired his dad as his best man and reinstated Goodfellow.
Plus, during his marriage vows Sullivan told Isabel that he wanted to remain in Kembleford. Bless!
After the ceremony, Sullivan told his dad exactly what he thought of him. The series ended with Sullivan telling Goodfellow he was also going to get him reinstated as a police officer. Plus, Isabel withdrew her resignation.
How many episode is Father Brown series 13?
The new series is 10 episodes long. Series 12, which is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer, is also 10 parts. Indeed, every series has featured 10 episodes except series 3 and series 5 which both oddly had 15 episodes!
Prior to series 13 going out there are 130 episodes of Father Brown to enjoy. So, if you've never seen it there's plenty of stories to keep you busy!
Each of the episodes are about 45 minutes long.
When is the start date? How can I watch?
Father Brown series 13 begins on BBC One on Friday January 9 at 2.00 pm. The opening episode is called The Good Refuge.
The second episode, The Hole in My Heart, will air on BBC One on Friday January 16 at 2.00 pm.
New episodes continue to be released by the BBC on Fridays, with episode three, The Palace by the Sea, set to air on Friday January 23 at 2.00 pm.
Episodes will all also be available on BBC iPlayer.
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