Midsomer Murders Season 25 Now in Production For Release in 2025!

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

With 24 seasons already in the bag, you’d think that we would be fed up with the astronomical number of deaths that occur in the county of Midsomer.

Not so. In fact, we can’t get enough of it! So much so that Neil Dudgeon (Barnaby) recently announced that the worldwide hit TV cozy mystery series would be returning to your TV screens very soon.

By ‘very soon’ we mean in 2025 when the 25th season is scheduled to air.

Fans of the long-running British detective series Midsomer Murders have been celebrating since it was confirmed.

And now we have an update, which is that production has kicked off and filming is underway for season 25.

The show will return with four brand-new, feature-length mysteries from the dangerously charming world of Midsomer.

All of our favorites are back, including DCI Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon), DS Winter (Nick Hendrix), Dr. Fleur Perkins (Annette Badland), and Sarah Barnaby (Fiona Dolman)!

This season will take Midsomer Murders to 144 total episodes, which is officially more than Poirot or Columbo!

The Current Cast

At the heart of Midsomer Murders is its cast of talented actors who bring the characters to life.

The current lineup includes:

Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby:
Dudgeon took over the lead role in 2011, playing the cousin of the original protagonist, DCI Tom Barnaby.

His portrayal of the astute detective has been well-received by fans and critics alike.

Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter:
Hendrix joined the cast in 2016 as Detective Sergeant Winter, Barnaby’s current partner in crime-solving.

His youthful energy and keen intellect complement Barnaby’s experience and intuition.

Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby:
Dolman plays John Barnaby’s wife, Sarah, a school headmistress who often provides valuable insights into the local community.

Annette Badland as Dr. Fleur Perkins:
Badland portrays the county’s witty and no-nonsense pathologist, who assists the detectives with her forensic expertise.

These core cast members are often joined by a rotating ensemble of guest stars, many of whom are recognizable faces from British television and film.

The Origins of Midsomer

Midsomer Murders is based on the Chief Inspector Barnaby book series by English author Caroline Graham.

The first novel, The Killings at Badger’s Drift, was published in 1987 and introduced readers to Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby.

Graham went on to write six more novels in the series, providing a rich foundation for the television adaptation.

The transition from page to screen began in 1997 when Anthony Horowitz adapted Graham’s work for television.

The first episode, also called The Killings at Badger’s Drift, aired on March 23, 1997, and closely followed the plot of Graham’s novel.

This marked the beginning of a series that would go on to become one of Britain’s most successful television exports.

A Quarter Century of Murder

As Midsomer Murders approaches its 25th season, it’s worth noting the show’s impressive longevity.

To date, over 130 episodes have been produced, each featuring intricate murder mysteries set against the backdrop of the fictional county of Midsomer.

The show’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its winning formula: combining the cozy familiarity of English village life with shocking acts of violence.

This juxtaposition creates a unique viewing experience that has resonated with audiences around the globe.

Midsomer Murders has achieved remarkable international success. The series has been broadcast in over 200 countries and territories, making it one of the UK’s most widely exported television shows.

Its popularity extends far beyond the English-speaking world, with dedicated fan bases in countries as diverse as Denmark, Australia, and Japan.

Viewers worldwide have fallen in love with the charming villages, eccentric characters, and clever plot twists that are hallmarks of the series.

Unusual Deaths in Midsomer

One of the most distinctive features of Midsomer Murders is its penchant for creative and often bizarre methods of murder.

Over the years, victims have met their demise in increasingly outlandish ways, adding a touch of dark humour to the proceedings.

Crushed by a Massive Wheel of Cheese

This unusual demise occurred in the episode Schooled in Murder (Season 15, Episode 6).

At a factory producing the famous Midsomer Blue Cheese, a dairy worker meets a gruesome end when a giant round of cheese is used as a murder weapon.

The victim is killed by a blow to the head from this large wheel of cheese, demonstrating the show’s penchant for turning everyday objects into deadly instruments.

Impalement by Booby-Trapped Rocking Chair

This elaborately staged murder highlights the series’s fondness for Rube Goldberg-like death traps.

The combination of a seemingly harmless rocking chair with a deadly pitchfork demonstrates the killers’ ingenuity and the show’s dark humor.

Death by Poisoned Frog

The episode The Magician’s Nephew (Season 11, Episode 5) features a murder using poison extracted from Ecuadorian poison dart frogs.

This exotic method of killing showcases the show’s global reach in sourcing unusual murder weapons.

The poison is used to kill a performer during a magic show, adding an element of spectacle to the crime.

Crushed by a Falling Gargoyle

This death, occurring during a bell-ringing competition, combines the picturesque setting of an English church with an unexpected hazard.

It exemplifies how Midsomer Murders often juxtaposes the quaint and the deadly, using unusual elements as unlikely instruments of death.

These unconventional murder methods have become a hallmark of the series, with fans eagerly anticipating each new episode to see what inventive demise awaits the next victim!

The Evolution of Midsomer

Over its 24 seasons, Midsomer Murders has undergone several changes while maintaining its core appeal.

The most significant shift came in 2011 when John Nettles, who had played DCI Tom Barnaby since the series’ inception, retired from the role.

Neil Dudgeon was introduced as his cousin, DCI John Barnaby, ensuring a smooth transition and allowing the show to continue with fresh energy.

Despite these changes, the series has remained true to its roots, continuing to offer viewers a mix of stunning scenery, intriguing mysteries, and a touch of English eccentricity.

The fictional county of Midsomer, with its seemingly endless supply of picturesque villages and colorful inhabitants, remains as much a character in the show as any of the human cast members.

Looking Ahead to Season 25

As Midsomer Murders prepares for its 25th season, fans can expect more of the clever plotting, stunning locations, and surprising twists that have made the show a perennial favorite.

While specific details about the upcoming season are yet to be revealed, it’s safe to assume that DCI Barnaby and DS Winter will face a new set of baffling cases in the deceptively peaceful villages of Midsomer.

The enduring popularity of Midsomer Murders is a testament to its quality and the affection viewers have for its characters and setting.

As it enters its quarter-century, the series shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to attract new fans while satisfying long-time viewers – there’s even a stage show in production!

With its unique blend of murder mystery, gentle humor, and quintessential Englishness, this show has carved out a special place in the landscape of television crime dramas.

As we look forward to Season 25 in 2025, one thing is certain: the body count in Britain’s most dangerous county is set to rise once again, much to the delight of its global audience.