From Lille’s Series Mania, All3Media has revealed that the long-running detective drama “Midsomer Murders ” is celebrating another landmark as production kicks off for its historic 25th season. The globally beloved show, which has aired for nearly three decades, is returning with four new feature-length mysteries.
Produced by Bentley Productions and commissioned by ITV in the U.K., “Midsomer Murders ” continues to be a ratings draw across nearly 200 territories. The new season will feature Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby and Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter. Fan-favorite Annette Badland reprises her role as pathologist Dr. Fleur Perkins, and Fiona Dolman returns as Barnaby’s wife, Sarah.
With the completion of Season 25, “Midsomer Murders ” will have a total of 144 episodes, surpassing the episode counts of detective classics such as “Poirot,” “Vera” and “Columbo.” The show’s impressive longevity also outshines TV crime icons such as “Starsky & Hutch,” “Kojak” and “The Streets of San Francisco” in terms of episodes produced.
The enduring appeal of “Midsomer Murders ” is evident in its continued global success. It remains a top-three program in multiple countries, including Germany, Scandinavia and the Baltics. The series has also expanded its presence with a dedicated streaming channel across North America and will soon make its theatrical debut with a stage adaptation of its first episode, “The Killings at Badger’s Drift.”
All3Media International also plans to expand its “Midsomer Murders ” licensing program throughout the coming year. The program already includes an interactive novel by Octopus Books and a casual gaming app from Qiiwi Interactive. The franchise’s first podcast launched last year, hosted by Nicki Chapman, produced by StoryHunter and distributed by AudioBoom.
Neil Dudgeon, who has played DCI Barnaby since 2011, expressed his excitement about returning to set: “It’s fantastic to be filming ‘Midsomer’ again. The scripts are all great, full of intrigue and mystery, so I’m very excited for you to see them. Our writers, who seem so normal, have come up with yet more extraordinary ways for the residents of ‘Midsomer’ to despatch their neighbors, which is fun and slightly worrying; I work with these people! And, of course, the cast and crew are all back together, and it’s great to see everyone and hear all the news and gossip. It’s just like living in a village in Midsomer! I hope you all love them when they are finished.”
A spokesperson from All3Media International added: “We can’t wait to see what uniquely perplexing and quirky crimes DCI Barnaby and DS Winter will be unraveling in this landmark 25th series. More than two decades since it began, Midsomer Murders continues to prove its evergreen credentials, offering the ultimate in primetime ‘cosy crime.’ With the show now vastly surpassing the episode – and crime – counts of many iconic detective dramas, its credentials as a global detecting favorite are legendary.”
Based on Caroline Graham’s Chief Inspector Barnaby book series, “Midsomer Murders ” remains a global favorite as crime continues to be a top draw for broadcasters and streamers worldwide.
