Neil Dudgeon, the actor who has portrayed DCI John Barnaby on ITV's Midsomer Murders since 2011, has revealed the immense pressure he felt when taking over the iconic role from John Nettles. In a candid interview, Dudgeon confessed that the transition was challenging and that he worried about being 'cancelled' after his debut series.
Taking Over a Beloved Role
Dudgeon stepped into the role during the show's 14th series, following Nettles' 14-year tenure as DCI Tom Barnaby. He described the experience as 'hard' and admitted to fears of failure. 'If they'd cancelled me after one series, that would have been embarrassing!' he told Radio Times magazine. Despite the initial anxiety, Dudgeon has managed to keep the character fresh by continually revisiting scripts and finding new nuances.
Gratitude and Longevity
The actor expressed gratitude for his ongoing role, stating, 'It's still extremely pleasant, and I'm extremely grateful.' He has no immediate plans to leave the drama, but remains pragmatic about the future. 'I wouldn't want to do it to the point where it's embarrassing, and he's just too old. I just take it a year at a time,' he explained.
Reflecting on the Beginning
When first approached about replacing Nettles, Dudgeon recalled being asked how he felt about the possibility. 'I said, 'It would be fantastic, and I'd love to',' he said. Initially, he approached the role cautiously, thinking, 'I'll do the first episode and see how it is, and then they might think, 'Oh, we made a terrible mistake, or he's awful'.' Fortunately, ITV recommissioned the series after its first season, which Dudgeon saw as a vote of confidence. 'That sort of vindicates that people had faith in me to give me the job in the first place,' he added.
Surpassing Expectations
Dudgeon noted that when he started, someone suggested he might last three years. '15 years later, I am still doing it,' he said, highlighting the show's enduring appeal. He acknowledged that eventually, someone might decide there are no more stories to tell in Midsomer, but for now, the creative team keeps finding new narratives that resonate with audiences.
Midsomer Murders is available to stream on ITVX.
