Daniel Casey, best known for playing DS Gavin Troy in the first six series of Midsomer Murders, is returning to the role of DCI Tom Barnaby in a stage adaptation. The actor, who originally played Troy alongside John Nettles, stepped into the lead role for the theatrical version of Caroline Graham's The Killings at Badger's Drift.
The tour, which began last year, has now been extended until 2027 after receiving positive audience reactions and John Nettles' approval. Casey told the Radio Times: "Since returning to the world of Midsomer last October, it has been such a delight to see the incredible reaction of people around the UK and Ireland to our theatre version... and, most importantly for me, getting my dear friend John Nettles' seal of approval after he saw it in Truro."
The new tour will feature the same storyline but with an entirely new cast. The synopsis states: "Emily Simpson is found dead in the picturesque village of Badger's Drift, her friend Lucy Bellringer refuses to accept it was an accident. DCI Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy are called in to investigate, uncovering a world of hidden passions, long-buried secrets and deadly rivalries."
The Killings at Badger's Drift originally served as the pilot episode for the ITV series in 1997 and was the first novel in Graham's series. The upcoming tour is scheduled to begin in Birmingham on April 23 and conclude in Newcastle on July 31, 2027.
During the current tour, Bridgerton star James Bradwell played Sgt Gavin Troy, though it is unclear if he will reprise the role. The present production is set to finish on June 13, as confirmed on the official Instagram account, which urged fans not to miss the tour before it ends.
