Latest news with #MidsomerMurders
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Midsomer Murders star bags new role in detective drama perfect for Death in Paradise fans
The island-based detective series is returning for season 2 with a Midsomer Murders star joining the cast. Fans of the beloved murder mystery programme Death in Paradise are being urged to discover another British crime drama situated on an island - and it showcases one of Britain's most renowned fictional sleuths. Bergerac, a reimagining of the classic 1980s BBC series that starred John Nettles, has secured approval for a second series on U&Original after receiving largely favourable reviews. The programme, featuring Brassic's Damien Molony as the eponymous detective Jim Bergerac, is welcoming fresh faces to its cast for the upcoming season. Midsomer Murders favourite Adrian Edmondson is arriving as Nigel, a romantic prospect for Zoë Wanamaker's Charlie, whilst Red Eye's Lesley Sharp is being brought in as Monica. Developed by Being Human's Toby Whithouse, the series already boasts an impressive ensemble, with the inaugural season's roster also featuring Life On Mars star Philip Glenister, Big Boys' Robert Gilbert and Grantchester's Luke Nunn, reports the Manchester Evening News. Filming has officially commenced on the show's second series, which takes place on the Channel island of Jersey. The official description for 2025's Bergerac states: "Troubled detective Jim Bergerac is forced to confront a troubling past case when a wealthy woman is murdered, pushing him to overcome personal demons and reignite his investigative prowess to navigate family tensions and law enforcement scrutiny." The debut series holds an exceptional 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers awarding it broadly positive assessments. The Times described it as a "darker, more pained take on our Jersey detective", gushing: "Welcome back, Jim." Digital Spy penned: "While there are familiar threads that pay homage to the classic show... there is one simple tweak to the way in which the case goes on to unfold that makes an impactful difference to this new iteration of the Bergerac series." The Age proclaimed: "There is no shortage of grim crime series being produced in Britain, and on its own terms this Bergerac is a good example of the genre done right." The Nightly declared: "The character is very watchable, and Damien Molony is able to persuasively carry Bergerac's darkness and dynamism." Yet some viewers weren't won over, with one grumbling: "What a shame, it's all got too serious. None of the understated humour of the original series, which I've started watching again. Far better." Another moaned: "Probably the most complete collection of cliches possible. Every element we have seen many times. Main character totally unlikeable." Still, one supporter rushed to defend the programme on IMDb, posting: "Loved it. Bergerac is a great character and the actors are all well rounded. Haven't seen the original but judged on its own it's a fantastic free to air crime drama. Hope there is a follow up season. So much more to develop with some of the sideline characters. Not perfect but it holds up as a great binge." Another viewer praised it as "brilliant", confessing: "I have fond memories of the original with the gorgeous John Nettles (before he moved to Midsomer), so there is always a bit of anxiety regarding a remake. However, this Bergerac, with the mesmerising Damien Moloney is a different deal altogether." A third admitted they were "glued to the box", stating: "Let me say at the outset, I have never seen the original Bergerac so I'm coming to this series from a fresh, unbiased viewpoint. "Apart from the first (overlong) twenty minutes or so which was endeavouring to show the depth to which Bergerac had sunk, I really enjoyed the series. I'm glad I stayed with it. "Yes, it was a bit predictable but that doesn't bother me. The highlight was the wonderful Philip Glenister who's brilliant in whatever he does." All six episodes of Bergerac season 1 are available to stream now on U.
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Midsomer Murders star says he'll never watch ITV show again for specific reason
John Nettles has said that he will never watch Midsomer Murders again, as he opened up on his time on the hit ITV crime drama Former Midsomer Murders star John Nettles has disclosed he has no desire to watch the beloved detective TV programme again for a particular reason. The 81 year old actor played Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby in the popular ITV crime series, which initially launched in 1997. John also featured in BBC 's crime drama Bergerac, where he played the lead character, from 1981 to 1991. However, his background in detective programmes has discouraged him from viewing Midsomer Murders, as the performer explained he "doesn't want to see another actor pretending to be a dead body" following years of doing precisely that. Speaking to The Times, John remarked: "No, I don't watch. I've seen every trope, every curiosity, every plot manoeuvre that belongs to the genre, over and over and over again. "I never want to see another actor pretending to be a dead body. It's just too much. I've done it for so many years, for days and months at a time, 24/7, more or less." He likened his involvement in TV shows such as Midsomer Murders to "building a wall", explaining it is constructed "very carefully" because "you don't want to go back and watch other people building it". John suggested that Midsomer Murders attracted audiences due to the "extraordinary murders" that could render the crimes "totally unreal", reports the Manchester Evening News. The performer also discussed contemporary detective dramas, condemning the level of violence against women featured in certain programmes. "I tell you what is awful is the obligatory appearance of the tortured woman, the raped woman, the murdered woman," he said. "Jesus, God. It's very difficult to do that stuff and to use it as a bit of plot line. It gets worse and worse and worse." Following John's departure from Midsomer Murders in 2011, Neil Dudgeon stepped into the role as DCI John Barnaby, portraying Tom's younger cousin. Meanwhile, Bergerac is set for a revival with a fresh reboot arriving on U later this month. Actor Damien Molony has assumed the lead role, though John declined the opportunity for a cameo appearance in the new series. Midsomer Murders is available to watch on ITVX
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV Midsomer Murders fans say the same thing as Inspector Morse star makes appearance
Midsomer Murders fans were left distracted as they noticed a familiar face from the Inspector Morse series Midsomer Murders viewers found themselves thoroughly distracted on Tuesday evening after Kevin Whately popped up in a repeat episode of the ITV series. The star, renowned for portraying Lewis in both Inspector Morse and the ITV spin-off Lewis, stepped into the shoes of murder suspect Jeremy in the John Barnaby drama. Within moments of the episode beginning, fans flocked to Twitter to express their excitement over the Inspector Morse crossover. @NickStevenson63 wrote: "So... when worlds collide; Inspector Lewis in Midsomer Murders. It was bound to happen sooner or later given the number of strange and bizarre deaths in this otherwise quiet corner of Oxfordshire." @Suzy_H14 begged: "They can't kill #Lewis #MidsomerMurders," reports the Express. @ghostheart__ observed: "Lots of Morse/Lewis links in this episode of #MidsomerMurders - firstly Kevin Whately who was obviously Lewis in Morse/Lewis, Jane Bertish who was in Morse episode The Wolvercote Tongue and Alexander Hanson who was in Lewis episode Generation of Vipers." @dennison_shelly continued: "Fabulous collection of musical theatre actors in tonight's #MidsomerMurders and the universe-bending inclusion of Lewis aka Kevin Whately. Excellent fun. "Lewis better not get killed off in tonight's #MidsomerMurders that'd just be too weird," @neiltheshaker posted. @samjcstuff revealed: "My brain is not computing Lewis appearing in #midsomermurders." Kevin portrayed Robert "Robbie" Lewis in Inspector Morse from 1987 to 2000, and in Lewis from 2006 to 2015. In a 2023 interview, Midsomer Murders' lead actors Neil Dudgeon and Fiona Dolman graced the This Morning sofa to discuss the show's milestone 50th episode. The on-screen couple shared a light-hearted conversation with hosts Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle about the enduring appeal of the series. "So what's the secret to your on-screen success?" Alison inquired, prompting Neil to quip: "Sexual chemistry." He elaborated: "I think we've just got on very well right from the start, didn't we?". "We did," Fiona concurred. "Neil was already cast, so I had an audition, and I had to go in and read with him. "And yeah, I think we clicked right from the beginning." Reflecting on their long-running partnership, Fiona added: "We've done it for 12 years now which means all that kind of fear that you have as an actor when you join something and you have to pretend you have an intimate relationship with someone that you've never met, that's all just gone now, hasn't it?". "It is great, I always said we should have had Fiona in the show anyway," Neil, who plays John Barnaby, interjected.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Midsomer Murders mystery over 'missing' new episodes as fan favourite takes on new role
Midsomer Murders' theatre show might soon be getting underway but fans have been left puzzled by a set of 'missing' episodes that are yet to air on ITV Midsomer Murders fans have been left puzzled over a string of 'missing' episodes. A new version of the hit ITV drama is now in the works, with a stage show seeing a former star take on the lead role. Daniel Casey - who played young Troy in the first series of the hit ITV show alongside John Nettles, who played DCI Barnaby - will now take on the role of Barnaby in a special UK tour of Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger's Drift. Speaking about his new role, Daniel said: "I never expected to revisit the world of Midsomer, with its weird and wonderful characters and all their dark, twisted secrets. So to be asked to play the iconic role of Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby in this new stage adaptation of The Killings at Badger's Drift was a real surprise. Workshopping the play, you realise the characters have an inherent theatricality, which is perfect to bring to the stage. "It has brought back some wonderful memories of such a happy time in my career playing Sergeant Troy and the fantastic time I had working with the amazing John Nettles and to be stepping into his shoes as Barnaby is both a little daunting and incredibly exciting." John also had his say on his former second-in-command taking on the lead role. "How wonderful that the original tale of murder and intrigue in Midsomer will be solved by Daniel, in this new stage version of Badger's Drift. Daniel brought the young Troy to life so brilliantly in the original TV pilot of the book and I'm delighted that he gets to lead the investigation in this theatre adaption," he said of the new part for his former sergeant. "He has a fabulous track record in his stage work – and had a marvellous DCI to teach him the detecting ropes, back in the day!" Ahead of the stage show, fans have been desperate to find out when the programme will be back on ITV. It has aired sporadically as of late, owing to TV schedules and changes. There had also been fears that the show might have been axed. However, the 24th series has been confirmed for ITV eventually, with the four-episode line-up already airing abroad. Kicking off with The Devil's Work, the synopsis reads: "The demise of the Shirewell patriarch sparks a vicious inheritance dispute when eldest son Lucian announces plans to break up an estate that's been in his family for centuries." Following that, there will be Book Of The Dead, Claws Out and A Climate Of Death.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Midsomer Murders star confirms return as he replaces detective 'It's a massive promotion'
Daniel Casey starred in Midsomer Murders as DS Gavin Troy alongside John Nettles, who played the lead detective Tom Barnaby Midsomer Murders star Daniel Casey is set to make a comeback to the beloved drama, though in a completely different capacity. Daniel portrayed DS Gavin Troy in the popular ITV series alongside John Nettles, who took on the role of lead detective Tom Barnaby. The actor is now preparing to step into the shoes of DCI Tom Barnaby for a fresh stage adaptation of The Killings at Badger's Drift. Speaking about his upcoming role, Daniel described it as "it's a massive promotion" whilst acknowledging he has "big shoes to fill". In conversation with the Northern Echo regarding his new part and the guidance John Nettles offered him, the actor revealed: "Barnaby and Troy had an almost father/son, mentor/pupil relationship, and that is very much like my relationship with John," reports the Express. "When he learned that I was taking on the role in the play, he said, 'Well, he's learned at the feet of the master.'" He continued by explaining that John had advised him to "be true to himself," which is precisely how he's approached tackling the character of Tom Barnaby. Daniel and John worked together from the pilot episode in 1996 right through to 2003, when Daniel chose to depart the series. "I spent all those years standing next to him, watching and listening, so hopefully I have absorbed a bit of his magic," he reflected. "It's a bit daunting, because his are big shoes to fill, but I'm really excited about doing it." The Killings at Badger's Drift marked Caroline Graham's debut novel and served as the foundation for the inaugural Midsomer Murders episode. The stage production delves into the world of DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy as they unravel the mysterious demise of the much-adored Emily Simpson in Badger's Drift. The play's blurb entices audiences with: "A night of murder and mystery, full of theatricality and intrigue, with the central partnership of Barnaby and Troy, a whole host of English eccentrics and this real dark undercurrent of secrets and lies." When Daniel's character exited the series, he wasn't directly replaced. Instead, his departure was scripted out, paving the way for a succession of sergeants before Neil Dudgeon stepped in to fill John Nettles' shoes as DCI John Barnaby in 2011.
