Neil Dudgeon, who plays DCI John Barnaby in the long-running ITV drama Midsomer Murders, has opened up about the pressure of replacing original lead John Nettles and the relief of not being 'cancelled' after his first series. In an interview with Radio Times, Dudgeon admitted that stepping into the role was daunting, as Nettles had played DCI Tom Barnaby for 14 years.
Dudgeon reflected on the initial challenges, saying, 'It was hard at the beginning because John had done it for 14 years.' He added, 'If they'd cancelled me after one series, that would have been embarrassing! It gets easier, but I try to keep it fresh.' The actor expressed gratitude for the role, stating, 'It's still extremely pleasant and I'm extremely grateful.'
The upcoming series will see Nick Hendrix return as DS Jamie Winter, Barnaby's trusty sidekick. Midsomer Murders is set to return on Tuesday, July 16, at 8.15pm on ITV, after a brief hiatus that frustrated fans when the show was replaced by the thriller Red Eye after just one episode.
The new episode will feature a murder at Challis Court, a gated estate for retired police officers. A synopsis teases: 'When a new arrival is found dead, the other residents regard the murder as both an affront and a challenge. Barnaby investigates and realises that the killer is likely to be an ex-police officer too.'
Fans have expressed excitement on social media, with one posting on X: 'Super about time we have been patient yippee. That's my evenings sorted out.' Another commented: 'About time. We've been waiting so long.'
