Father Dowling Mysteries
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About the Father Dowling Mysteries
Father Dowling is a Catholic priest who, in the great tradition of American TV sleuths, can't go anywhere without running into some pretty heavy misdemeanours. Set in Chicago, Dowling's inquisitive nature and knack of nailing bad guys has all the hallmarks of divine inspiration.
He has some earthly assistance too, in the shape of Sister Stephanie 'Steve' Oskowski. She's not your typical nun, however, far more hands-on than most brides of Christ and with an admirable dexterity when it comes to handling firearms.
Father Dowling Mysteries actually began life in print, as the brainchild of author and academic Ralph McInerny. The popular series of detective novels soon caught the attention of TV execs, with a feature-length pilot called Fatal Confession airing in 1987.
Following the success of the Fatal Confession pilot on NBC in late 1987 the network was all set to broadcast a debut series in 1988. However an untimely writers' strike put paid to that, meaning that the show didn't begin airing weekly until 1989.
It proved to be worth the wait, with series one pitting Father Dowling against a host of criminals, not to mention the FBI and the hierarchy of the church. With some of his fellow priests being suspected of some very unchristian behaviour, criminal half-brothers and kidnappings aplenty, it's a wonder the good Father could find time to bless himself.
In total, the Father Dowling Mysteries ran for three seasons, having transferred from NBC to ABC for the second and third. Over a total of 43 episodes Father Dowling tackled mummies, killer chimps and British noblemen, all in the name of fair play and justice before hanging up his robes in 1991. Having left behind a devoted fanbase, it's fair to say that the streets of Chicago were a much safer place when the plucky priest was investigating what went on in his parish, and beyond.
Father Dowling Mysteries actually began life in print, as the brainchild of author and academic Ralph McInerny. The popular series of detective novels soon caught the attention of TV execs, with a feature-length pilot called Fatal Confession airing in 1987.
Following the success of the Fatal Confession pilot on NBC in late 1987 the network was all set to broadcast a debut series in 1988. However an untimely writers' strike put paid to that, meaning that the show didn't begin airing weekly until 1989.
It proved to be worth the wait, with series one pitting Father Dowling against a host of criminals, not to mention the FBI and the hierarchy of the church. With some of his fellow priests being suspected of some very unchristian behaviour, criminal half-brothers and kidnappings aplenty, it's a wonder the good Father could find time to bless himself.
In total, the Father Dowling Mysteries ran for three seasons, having transferred from NBC to ABC for the second and third. Over a total of 43 episodes Father Dowling tackled mummies, killer chimps and British noblemen, all in the name of fair play and justice before hanging up his robes in 1991. Having left behind a devoted fanbase, it's fair to say that the streets of Chicago were a much safer place when the plucky priest was investigating what went on in his parish, and beyond.
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