Neil Dudgeon, who plays DCI John Barnaby in the long-running ITV drama Midsomer Murders, has opened up about the pressure of replacing original star John Nettles and the relief of not being 'cancelled' after his first series.
In an interview with Radio Times, Dudgeon admitted the early days were challenging. 'It was hard at the beginning because John had done it for 14 years,' he said. He also expressed gratitude that the show continued with him: 'If they'd cancelled me after one series, that would have been embarrassing!'
Despite the initial difficulty, Dudgeon remains committed to keeping the role fresh. 'It gets easier, but I try to keep it fresh. Even if I've gone through the script 50 times, I'll look at it again and have another thought,' he explained, adding that the job is 'still extremely pleasant' and he is 'extremely grateful'.
The upcoming series will see Nick Hendrix return as Barnaby's sidekick. Midsomer Murders is set to return on Tuesday, July 16, at 8.15pm on ITV, following a brief hiatus that frustrated fans when the show was replaced by thriller Red Eye after just one episode.
The new episode features a gated estate for retired police officers, where a murder occurs, and Barnaby must investigate, realising the killer may also be an ex-officer. Fans have expressed excitement on social media, with one posting: 'Super about time we have been patient yippee. That's my evenings sorted out.'
