The recent comments on my Midsomer Murders entry (from 2008) made me want to go seek out the information about Inspector Tom Barnaby leaving the county of Midsomer. Yikes! I’ve been able to get used to the different sergeants who work for Tom, but Tom is leaving?!? (And taking Joyce and Cully with him?!?)
Midsomer Murders is (of course) still playing in Great Britain, and, unfortunately we have to make due with being a little behind on the goings-on in Midsomer… a definite case of better late than never! But here’s the scoop:
Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) will be visited by his cousin John Barnaby during the first episode in England’s season 13. Actually, this has probably already happened…
The good news is that John Barnaby will be played by Neil Dudgeon. For those of you who remember the Mrs. Bradley Mysteries (with Diana Rigg), you will no doubt remember George Moody, Mrs. Bradley’s chauffeur (or was he more?!?) Yep, that was Neil Dudgeon. (I loved that series, and I loved the chemistry between Rigg and Dudgeon.)
End of Season 12 (2009-2010):
Small Mercies
The Creeper
The Great and the Good
Season 13 (2010-2011):
The Sword of Guillaume (Tom’s cousin John Barnaby is introduced.)
The Made-to-Measure Murders
Blood on the Saddle
The Silent Land
Master Class
The Noble Art
Not in My Back Yard
Fit for Murder (Tom Barnaby leaves.)
Season 14 (2011-2012):
Death in the Slow Lane (John Barnaby arrives.)
Dark Secrets
Echoes of the Dead
The Oblong Murders
The Sleeper under the Hill
The Stag
I have enumerated the seasons with the numbers from England. It sure would be a whole lot easier if Amazon would use the same numbers for their seasons as they do across the pond, wouldn’t it?
Sheila says
Yes, the new episodes have already aired in the UK. I was wary about the change but I liked John Barnaby and the episodes. Neil Dudgeon was very good (and it must have been difficult to take over). John is different to Tom, more laconic and relaxed but Midsomer County was the same, imperious land owners, suspicious locals and the usual high murder rate!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Sheila, for filling us in about Tom VS John Barnaby. I have enjoyed Neil Dudgeon in everything I have seen him in (shows like Inspector Morse and A Touch of Frost) and am looking forward to seeing him in Midsomer Murders. I am so glad the producers decided to continue the show – even though I know that John Nettles/Tom will be missed.
A big THANK YOU shout-out, Sheila!
Ann says
Thanks for the info. I can’t believe they’ve had so many series. I need to catch up on Netflix. I was sad that John Nettles was leaving but I like Neil Dudgeon and looking forward to seeing him.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, it will take a little bit of getting used to, but I bet Neil Dudgeon will fit right into the Midsomer community.
I hope Jones and John get along as well as Jones and Tom… (I always get a kick when Tom sort of rolls his eyes at some of the strange things Jones says.)
Donna says
The last Nettles episode aired sometime this past March, I believe. I’m still waiting for N*tflix to get the new ones featuring the new guy but I’ve heard good things about it so I’m hopeful it will continue to be an entertaining series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Here’s hoping, Donna. It sounds like they have tried to make the transition as “painless” as possible… introducing Tom’s cousin way before Tom retires…
Patricia says
I can’t tell you how mesmerized I am with this show! I have watched all but series 15 & 16. I have them reserved at our Library! I feel very bad about Nettles leaving but I will continue to look for all the DVDS for this show with his cousin,in the future. I live in the USA but I respect the British TV network for these wonderful Mystery shows!. How wonderful they are written and the actors chosen are all superb! Bravo to John Nettles and to the BBC for their part in making this a memorable wonderful series!. Thank You!
CER 1863 says
It would be lovely if A&E would show these again, instead of so much Reality TV.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I have said this many times before: I remember when A & E stood for Arts & Entertainment…
linda says
The subject matter on the so-called reality shows have just gotten out of hand. What has happened to TV show writers? I would think there would be a big market for these kind of people with this kind of skill!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
My family is “guilty” of watching some reality shows: Top Chef and Amazing Race are some of our favorite shows. And, I personally watch the Cake Boss every time a new episode is shown. I don’t know what it is about Buddy and his “mia familia”>>> but I can’t seem to get enough!
(My confession time is officially over!)
Paul says
I love the midsomer murder series, and also had my doubts about the baton passing from Tom to John. But series 14 and 15 were every bit as good. I just started watching series 16, and both my wife and I have been wondering what happened?? The acting, the scripts, everything seems a bit off, almost as if the show was being written or directed by a really bad American soap opera show.
Please somebody tell me it’s going to get better!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Paul, I can’t help you with this one! I only stayed with Midsomer Murders one season after Tom and Joyce departed for retirement. I wasn’t crazy about Cully not being around for several of the last seasons I watched, but after Tom and Joyce left, I decided it was time for me to leave also. I had absolutely nothing against the new actors, I just felt like it was an altogether new show.