Midsomer Murder star Neil Dudgeon has opened up about returning to film the next series of the ITV show as rumours swirl he may exit the show. Expressing his excitement about returning to the set, he said: “It’s fantastic to be filming ‘Midsomer’ again. The scripts are all great, full of intrigue and mystery, so I’m very excited for you to see them. Our writers, who seem so normal, have come up with yet more extraordinary ways for the residents of Midsomer to despatch their neighbours, which is fun and slightly worrying; I work with these people!” he quipped.
Neil isn’t the only cast member returning. Nick Hendrix will also be back as DS Jamie Winter, his trusted sidekick. Annette Badland is returning as pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins. Meanwhile Fiona Dolman completes the core cast, as Barnaby’s wife Sarah. “The cast and crew are all back together, and it’s great to see everyone and hear all the news and gossip,” Neil said.
Filming for the new season, its 25th, began this month and will include four feature-length episodes of murder mysteries set in the picturesque English village.
At the end of broadcast the show will have reached an impressive total of 144 episodes.
However some are convinced this could be the last series for leading man Neil. Despite the fact he says has no immediate plans to leave his role as the lead detective, bookies are already speculating on who might fill his shoes if he were to exit.
In a candid chat with Radio Times, he hinted at an eventual departure, saying: “I’m very happy in the countryside, it’s very nice. And no, I assume that at some point, I’ll get the hook,” and added that he will keep working until he’s shown the door.
Following his remarks, bookmakers threw out potential names for his successor, with Coronation Street‘s Sue Cleaver emerging as a contender.
Sue, who is set to depart her role as Eileen Grimshaw on the ITV soap after 25 years has sparked rumours she could become the drama’s first female detective.
She is currently sitting at odds of 10/1 to take over as the drama’s lead detective, with other candidates like Vera’s Kenny Doughty and Death in Paradise’s Ralf Little also in the running.
Betway spokesperson Mike Reading said: “With speculation swirling about Neil Dudgeon’s future in Midsomer Murders following the cancellation of spin-off McDonald and Dodds, anticipation is mounting over who could step into the role of DCI John Barnaby as the next lead detective in the beloved crime drama.”
