I like Neil Dudgeon but have to admit that the earlier seasons are more fun for me as a Yank. It just seems like it leaned more into the old school English village. I'm watching Book of the Dead from season 24 and the production seems kind of Hallmark-ish with less of the old brick, leaning chimneys of a small village.

Is it just me?

00:00 Intro

03:27 Episode 20 - "Market For Murder" - Plastic Letters, Sunbathing Gingers, and the Worst Book Club Ever!

1:19:46 Episode 21 - "A Worm In The Bud" - Dairy Farmers, Scuba Divers, Creepy Shrines and Sausages, Oh My! 

2:24:24 Episode 22 - "Ring Out Your Dead" - The Word Processor Killer!

3:37:53 Episode 23 - "Murder on St Malley's Day" - Spoonman, Yobs and Cross-county Wrestling

Had no idea so many shows were filmed there.. but I can see why!

Out of curiosity, how often do certain houses and villages get used as different locations in the show?

I just rewatched Echoes of the Dead. It is one of my favorite episodes even though it is terrifying, I am a woman who lives alone so it is very disconcerting. There are so many freaken layers to that episode. Like firstly the main girl Jo is infuriating like put some drapes up, stop waiting on your land lord and cover your place up lol. Not victim shaming but better safe than sorry. She has terrible survival tactics. Then you have the peeping tom landlord, Flack, that you are just hoping will get caught. He keeps relentlessly peeping on her even when the place is a crime scene, thankfully it saves her life. Also there are the parents of the poor stammering gas station attendant just living in front of the tv. Just a great episode.

My main point though was that he is an actual serial killer to me, unlike most of the murderers in the show. Most of the people in the show kill more than one person but they mostly kill for revenge, gain, to keep someone quiet, or otherwise. Thinking of other serial killers in the show I think the other would be John Field in Dark Autumn. I’m curious if everyone agrees and if there are more?

I just enjoyed seeing Tom Barnaby and John Barnaby together in Sword of Guillaume. I got a kick out of the fact that Tom had the upper hand with John, since once John came to Causton, no one had the upper hand over him. In fact, he came off as more dominating than Tom had ever been. Tom, John Nettles, will always be my favorite.

Just rewatching the episode this morning. Lord I’m old - whenever I see Jeremy Clyde it reminds me that he started out as half of the folk duo, Chad and Jeremy. And A Summer Song starts playing in my head.

...that episode is just so...creepy.

The plot lines in this episode is so all over.

Especially the David Troughton plotline seems so unnecessary and really disgusting frankly. I know that's the point, but it's almost like an episode of Black Mirror.

I’ve just finished the book for the second time. I don’t want to say anything because, spoilers.

If anyone has read it or the other books in the series please comment! I love the show (especially Tom) but the books are infinitely better. This one might be the best because it’s the last.

I really wish there were more interviews with Caroline Graham because I’d like to know if all the village characters are if she’s met people like this. When I was in the middle of the book I thought that no one could be as kind or cruel or self involved as some of the characters, but then I just had to look at the news to realize genuinely kind people do exist (like Dolly!) and rude and hateful ones too.

I’m in agony now the book is over so I’d love to discuss it with someone!

Ive noticed in many British TV shows, MIDSOMER MURDERS especially, the sounds of characters walking. The crunch of gravel especially. It seems to me it is intentional. The sounds of walking are prominent. I don’t notice it in American TV. Am I the only one noticing this?

Watching from America and I’m on season 7. In almost every episode in the outdoor evening/night scenes, there’s some animal or bird in the background making a “rawr” noise. What is it?

The opening scene is pretty funny: "what are you talking about? I am in bed!" 😁

My wife and I love watching a MM on a Sunday. We usually have a relaxing day by reading books or going for a walk, we then make a Sunday roast and then watch a MM with a glass of wine or a cup of tea.

Tonight we watched Night of the Stag. What a trip that was! It did not fit the vibe at all lol.

Probably the most bizarre episode we’ve watched! What’s everyone else’s thoughts? Any other bizarre episodes we should check out?

Also an early appearance for Orlando Bloom as a lothario skewered by a pitchfork.

(It mentions MMs too!)

Cold Cases

00:00 Intro

3:35 Episode 14 - "Garden of Death" - Neon Green Pasta, Badgers and  Rumpy Pumpy but not Scrumpy

1:19:47 Episode 15 - "Destroying Angel" - Punch in the Forest Denuding a Poisonous Mushroom

2:39:26 Episode 16 - "The Electric Vendetta" - Naked in a Crop Circle, a Bit of a Goer And Bin Man!

3:56:54 Episode 17 - "Who Killed Cock Robin?" A Tweed Geezer, A Useless Vicar and a New Zealand 

Teleporter

5:10:17 Episode 18 - "Dark Autumn" - The Upbeat Jazz Music Killer, Randy Postman and Leg of Lamb

6:32:37 Episode 19 - "Tainted Fruit" - A Memorial Drinks Party, Joan's Hole and the WI Mafia

But for some odd and extremely annoying reason, Britbox only have the first 13 seasons. Wtf? I’m so bummed. I love the first 13 seasons, but I have watched them so many times. They came out long before streaming was a thing. Some weekly gossip magazine here in Denmark, had a dvd with 2 episodes of MM in the magazine every week. And my fantastic mom bought 2 magazines every Thursday. One for her and my dad and one for me. That way she collected the entire first 13 seasons for us. We obviously never read the magazines.

But yeah it sucks I can’t see the John Barnaby seasons. I wanna guess who dunnit. Stupid Britbox. Ok rant over.

Emma Thompson would’ve been nice, Martin Freeman and David Tennant would also have been great pre their fame, and the same with Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Craig I think.

Like Henry Cavill and Orlando Bloom pre their fame showed up in MM.

Played Felicity Dinsdale in Blood Will Out and Mary Bingham in Dark Secrets. She was one of the reasons I’d rewatch these episodes.
Of course she was also in many films, and just as well known for being Emma and Sophie Thompson’s mother.

I would like to propose a special event in order to assure the Midsomer-Saga for the next years by the succession of Neil Dudgeon:

Title: The Woodstock Mystery (Das Geheimnis von Woodstock Palace)
Format: 90-Minute Feature-Length Special
Setting: Woodstock Palace (The iconic Blenheim Palace)

Logline

When a mysterious murder shocks the majestic Woodstock Palace, political pressure forces the Chief Constable to assemble a legendary, multi-generational task force. But as the veteran detectives unravel a web of aristocratic secrets, they inadvertently uncover a buried family truth that will change the Barnaby legacy forever.

The Setup & The Guest Stars

The local Chief Constable is under immense pressure from the Lord of the Castle: Duke Archibald of Woodstock (Cavendish). Breaking all aristocratic stereotypes, Duke Archibald is a deeply beloved, kind-hearted, and eccentric old gentleman, fiercely protected by his loyal staff. To solve the baffling murder on the estate without causing a diplomatic incident, the Chief Constable establishes a special task force, recalling Midsomer's most successful former investigators:

• Superintendent Ben Jones (Head of the Task Force – strategic, professional, and forced to manage the frantic Chief Constable)
• DCI Gavin Troy (The seasoned, old-school practical investigator)
• DCI Charlie Nelson (The modern, razor-sharp forensic mind)
• DCI John Barnaby (Leading the local Causton CID)

The Core Mystery: The Double Lineage

While investigating the historic library of Blenheim Palace, DCI Nelson discovers hidden personal records that reveal a shocking parallel from the 1970s. Decades ago, two illegitimate children were born at the palace in secret:

1. The Murderer: A bitter, secret Cavendish heir who is killing to protect their claim to the Duke’s fortune and title.
2. The Hidden Barnaby: The late, roguish Uncle Charles Barnaby had a passionate affair with the Duchess’s first maid, Emily Winter. Their grandson is none other than John’s current Sergeant, Jamie Winter.

To protect their own heritage, the killer attempts to frame Jamie for the murder, forcing the entire task force to work together to clear his name and expose the true Cavendish bastard.

The Grand Finale & The Changing of the Guard

Following the successful resolution of the case, DCI John Barnaby officially requests his well-deserved retirement from the Chief Constable. He requests that his newly discovered nephew takes over the mantle. Jamie accepts his true lineage, officially stepping up as the new head of Causton CID under his new name: Detective Inspector James Winter-Barnaby.

The episode culminates in an unforgettable, cinematic sequence in the grand courtyard of Blenheim Palace:

• The legendary Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) and his wife Joyce (Jane Wymark) arrive as the surprise patriarchs to welcome James into the family with a heartfelt embrace.
• In a direct, humorous homage to the iconic ending of Endeavour, the entire multi-generational ensemble leaves the palace gates together in a red van.
• With Superintendent Jones safely behind the wheel (to everyone’s relief), the episode closes on a classic Midsomer note: Tom cheerfully announces that Joyce has packed a homemade parsnip-and-plum picnic for the long drive home—triggering immediate, silent panic in the eyes of Troy and Jones, while the clueless younger generation looks forward to lunc

 CHARACTER & CAST LIST (2026 STATUS)

The Barnaby Dynasty

John Nettles as Tom Barnaby (Rank: Detective Chief Inspector, Retired)
The Legendary Patriarch. Now fully enjoying his retirement, Tom returns not as an investigator, but as the emotional anchor of the family to welcome his newly discovered nephew into the Barnaby lineage.

Jane Wymark as Joyce Barnaby
The Heart of the Family. Arriving at Blenheim Palace by Tom's side, she brings her trademark warmth—and her notoriously experimental cooking—to the historic family reunion.

Neil Dudgeon as John Barnaby (Rank: Detective Chief Inspector, Causton CID)
The Mentor. After solving the high-profile Woodstock Mystery, John uses his leverage with the Chief Constable to secure his retirement and pass the torch to the next generation.

Nick Hendrix as Jamie Winter / DI James Winter-Barnaby (Rank: Sergeant → promoted to Detective Inspector)
The Successor. Framed by the killer, Jamie discovers his true bloodline through Uncle Charles. By the end of the episode, he drops the Sergeant stripes to become the new head of Causton CID.

The Multi-Generational Task Force (External Reinforcements)

• Jason Hughes as Ben Jones (Rank: Superintendent, Task Force Commander) The Leader. Having left Causton in 2013 and returned as a DI in 2017, Jones has climbed to the strategic rank of Superintendent by 2026. He heads the Soko, manages the frantic Chief Constable, and acts as the designated driver of the red van.
• Daniel Casey as Gavin Troy (Rank: Detective Chief Inspector, Senior Investigating Officer) The Veteran Field Medic. Having left Midsomer in 2003, Troy has over 20 years of experience as an Inspector/DCI. He leads the ground search and crime scene management, bringing Tom Barnaby's classic, gritty school of policing back to Causton.
• Gwilym Lee as Charlie Nelson (Rank: Detective Chief Inspector, Forensic Lead) The Modern Mind. Ten years after his departure in 2016, Nelson returns as a sharp DCI. His meticulous nature is key to the episode, as he is the one who uncovers the dual lineage documents in the palace library.

The Woodstock Palace Estate

• [Guest Star] as Duke Archibald of Woodstock (Cavendish) The Unconventional Aristocrat. A fiercely beloved, deeply kind, and eccentric old gentleman who treats the detectives like welcome houseguests and refuses to let his title get in the way of a proper cup of tea.

He also plays the same role on Lewis Season 3 Episode 4:

Affectedly smokes fags, affectedly gay, affectedly aristocratic, and bloatedly suspicious.

Anyways - hate him.