Midsomer Murders, based on Caroline Graham’s Chief Inspector Barnaby book series, has been running since 1997. With each new episode comes a new murder – or several. It’s a wonder the whole place hasn’t been vacated by now, but then it wouldn’t be the classic drama it is.
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Meet the cast and characters of series 19, including regulars and guest stars:
Neil Dudgeon plays Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby
Who is DCI John Barnaby? DCI John Barnaby is the younger cousin of DCI Tom Barnaby. Once Tom retired, John was transferred from Brighton Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to Causton CID to step into the role. He somehow manages to strike a good balance between his work and home life, home being a country cottage in Midsomer.
Where do I recognise Neil Dudgeon from? Neil Dudgeon was first introduced in Midsomer Murders in 2010. In 2011, he took over the lead role from John Nettles who had played DCI Tom Barnaby in the series since its inception. Neil’s also appeared in Casualty, A Touch of Frost and Inspector Morse. A little known fact is that he was the taxi driver in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason who took Bridget (Renée Zellweger) to meet Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) near the end of the film.
Nick Hendrix plays Detective Sergeant Jamie Winter
Who is DS Jamie Winter? Detective Sergeant Jamie Winter is John’s right-hand man. He’s young, keen, and smart as a whip. He’s had a string of predecessors, but he’s determined to make his mark and not let anything get past him. He’s not bad to look at either. In a town that’s full of doom and gloom, he’s always welcome for some light relief.
Where do I recognise Nick Hendrix from? Nick Hendrix has done his rounds on the London theatre circuit, working at the National Theatre and in the West End. He’s popped up in Black Mirror and Call the Midwife, as well as in films like Legend and Captain America: The First Avenger. He joined the Midsomer Murders cast at the end of 2016. Fun fact: his uncle is ITV News anchor Alastair Stewart.
Fiona Dolman plays Sarah Barnaby
Who is Sarah Barnaby? Sarah Barnaby is John’s wife and they’ve been married for 15 years. They have one daughter together, Betty, and a dog called Sykes. She works as a teacher and is currently writing a novel.
Where do I recognise Fiona Dolman from? Scottish actress Fiona Dolman played Miss Pamela Andrews in The Royal Today, a spinoff to The Royal. She’s also starred in Heartbeat.
Manjinder Virk plays Dr Kam Karrimore
Who is Kam? Dr Kate Wilding’s replacement as resident pathologist arrived at the beginning of last series. There is romantic tension between her and DS Winter.
Where do I recognise Manjinder Virk from? The actress starred as Marianne in Ordinary Lies and Simran Baines in Hunted. She has also made appearances in Doctors, Holby City, The Bill, Skins, and Monroe.
Is Kam really leaving Midsomer Murders? Yes: the final episode of series 19 (The Curse of the Ninth) is Manjinder Virk’s final appearance in the show, as her character has been offered a job in Montreal.
Who are the guest stars in Midsomer Murders episode The Curse of The Ninth?
James Fleet plays Michael Falconer
Who is Michael Falconer? Musical maestro Michael Falconer is using the local Thassingham Festival to debut his Ninth Symphony – a particularly dangerous moment for composers, as many have died at this point in their careers (leading to the so-called “Curse of the Ninth”). Michael has ruffled many feathers, turning the community musical festival into something a lot more elite. He is self-centred and a bit of a bully to members of his orchestra, including his violin-playing son Dan.
Where do I recognise James Fleet from? The actor is best-known for his role as the bumbling Tom in Four Weddings and a Funeral, and as the kindly but dim-witted Hugo Horton in The Vicar of Dibley. Recently he has appeared as Sir Victor Eisen in Benedict Cumberbatch series Patrick Melrose, and in Outlander as Reverend Wakefield.
Simon Callow plays Vernon De Harthog
Who is Vernon De Harthog? Professional viola player Vernon De Harthog is a malcontent in Michael Falconer’s orchestra who clashes with his maestro and has a tendency to mouth off. He is the lover of Thassingham Arms landlady Audrey Glenhill.
Where do I recognise Simon Callow from? Like his Midsomer Murders co-star James Fleet, Simon Callow has appeared in Outlander – playing the Duke of Sandringham. A long and accomplished screen career includes recent credits including The Rebel, Victoria & Abdul (as Puccini) and Doctor Who (as Charles Dickens). He is also an established theatre actor.
Joseph Prowen plays Dan Falconer
Who is Dan Falconer? As the son of revered musical genius Michael Falconer, Dan has a lot to live up to – but no matter how hard he tries, he can never earn his father’s admiration. He would love to be First Violin in the orchestra.
Where do I recognise Joseph Prowen from? The actor has made brief appearances in Decline and Fall, And Then There Were None, and Casualty. In real life he is a talented musician who can play banjo and violin.
Flora Spenser-Longhurt plays Natalie Wheeler
Who is Natalie Wheeler? The sister of the victim, Jacob Wheeler – and a fellow violinist in the orchestra.
Where do I recognise Flora Spenser-Longhurt from? The actress starred in TV series The Bastard Executioner, and also appeared as Emily Belcombe in Unforgiven. She played the role of Lisa/Tomaso in the CBBC series Leonardo.
Caroline Langrishe plays Janey Rafferty
Who is Janey Rafferty? Michael Falconer’s sister Janey founded the Rafferty Distillery with her husband, Hamish. She is involved with the festival and her daughter Candice is one of the violinists in Michael’s orchestra.
Where do I recognise Caroline Langrishe from? If you are a dedicated Midsomer Murders viewer, you may remember Caroline Langrishe as Susan Fincher from the 2010 episode Blood on the Saddle. Her other credits include Death in Paradise, Hollyoaks, The Case, Doctors, Casualty, and Judge John Deed.
Robert Daws plays Hamish Rafferty
Who is Hamish Rafferty? Janey’s husband. Together they co-founded the Rafferty Distillery.
Where do I recognise Robert Daws from? The actor played Shank in the TV series Sick Note, and Dr Choake in the first series of Poldark. He was also Tuppy Glossop in Jeeves and Wooster.
Who are the guest stars in Midsomer Murders episode Death By Persuasion?
Claire Skinner plays Kitty Oswood
Who is Kitty Oswood? The organiser of Gorgeous Georgians has just launched her Jane Austen weekend, an immersive experience where guests wear period dress and dance at balls and pretend to be living in the 18th century. Unfortunately, one of the guests is murdered with a silver quill-pen dipped in poison.
Where do I recognise Claire Skinner from? The actress is best known for playing mum Sue Brockman in the TV series Outnumbered. Recent roles have included DCI Vivien Barnes in Next of Kin and Lorraine Rappaport in Critical.
Samuel West plays James Oswood
Who is James Oswood? Kitty’s husband. James and his wife recently returned to live at the huge country mansion where Kitty and her sister grew up, with their teenage daughter in tow – but something is troubling him.
Where do I recognise Samuel West from? Previous projects have included Mr Selfridge, The Frankenstein Chronicles and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Samuel West played Sir Anthony Eden in Winston Churchill movie Darkest Hour, and Benedict Haughton in Suffragette. And if there’s something else familiar about his face, that may be because his parents are the actors Prunella Scales and Timothy West.
Jodie Tyack plays Polly Oswood
Who is Polly Oswood? The teenage daughter of Kitty and James. She’s a smart-mouth and a troublemaker, but has been reluctantly drafted in to help with her mother’s Jane Austen event.
Where do I recognise Jodie Tyack from? The young actress played Zoe in Unforgotten, and Flowers in Prime Suspect 1973.
Paul Shelley plays Walter Oswood
Who is Walter Oswood? The father of James Oswood.
Where do I recognise Paul Shelley from? If you have a really great memory, you might remember the actor’s previous appearance in Midsomer Murders as the character Richard Lovell in 2009 episode The Creeper. His other credits include Persuasion in Doctor Who’s Four to Doomsday, and Jed Grey in the TV series Doctors.
Abigail Cruttenden plays Nell Fryer
Who is Nell Fryer? Kitty’s older sister. She and her husband run the local pub.
Where do I recognise Abigail Cruttenden from? You’re most likely to recognise Abigail Cruttenden from Lee Mack’s Not Going Out, where she plays Anna. The actress has previously played Kate Weedon in Benidorm.
Nicholas Geaves plays Ray Fryer
Who is Ray Fryer? A local man who runs the pub with his wife.
Where do I recognise Nicholas Gleaves from? Notable roles include Trevor Green in Cold Feet, DS Andy Roper in Scott & Bailey, and Tom Bedford in The Chase. He is married to his Scott & Bailey co-star, Lesley Sharp.
John MacMillan plays Solomon Franks
Who is Solomon Franks? A medical professional who is taking a weekend away from the office to live life as a Georgian.
Where do I recognise John MacMillan from? John MacMillan’s stage roles include Victor in Yerma, and Malcolm in Macbeth. On TV he’s played Julian in Back, Saul Green in Kiss Me First, Ronald in Chewing Gum, and John Bright in Silk.
Thalissa Teixeira plays Jane Everard
Who is Jane Everard? Solomon’s receptionist, who decided to accompany him and sign up for Gorgeous Georgians.
Where do I recognise Thalissa Teixeira from? The actress appeared alongside Billie Piper in the critically claimed production Yerma. She is best known for her theatre work but has appeared in the BBC drama The Musketeers as Sylvie.
Who are the guest stars in series 19 of Midsomer Murders?
Steve Pemberton – Timothy Benson
Timothy Benson is an avid, some say obsessive, champion rabbit breeder. He looks after Hercules, a snow-white rabbit who is yet to be beaten in the Small Pets Show. Never mind the rabbit, he’s started to become a bit twitchy himself lately…
Where do I recognise him from?
Steve Pemberton was a member of cult comedy The League of Gentlemen, along with Reece Shearsmith, Mark Gatiss, and Jeremy Dyson. The television series revolves around colourful characters, all enacted by Pemberton and his fellow writers. He wrote and starred in Psychoville and can also been seen in Doctor Who, Benidorm, and Shameless. He’s since reunited with Shearsmith for dark comedy series Inside No. 9.
Sara Crowe – Ailsa Benson
Ailsa Benson is married to Timothy Benson and they run a pet supply store together. She’s responsible for finding the dead body when she notices that the prized rabbits have been let loose from their cages.
Where do I recognise her from?
Sara Crowe is a Scottish film and stage actress. She was the first bride in Four Weddings and a Funeral. Oddly enough, she hit UK screens by way of Philadelphia cheese spread advertisements in the Nineties as a stereotypically ditsy secretary.
Susan Hampshire – Delphi Hartley
Delphi Hartley runs the annual Bellville Hall Small Pets Show out of her spacious home. She owns a gorgeous grey rabbit with a nose for baby tomatoes. When she’s not tending to the show, she’s writing historical romance novels.
Where do I recognise her from?
Where do you not recognise her from? Susan Hampshire has had an incredible career, winning three Emmy Awards for her roles in The Forsyte Saga, The First Churchills and Vanity Fair.
She was appointed an OBE in 1995 for her campaign work in relation to dyslexia (she was diagnosed herself at the age of 30).
Recently, she starred in the television series Monarch of the Glen as Molly MacDonald, Lady of Glenbogle, and appeared in Casualty. She’s also completed work on the stage and is a published author.
Stirling Gallacher – Cleo Langton
Cleo Langton is an estate agent with an unfortunate allergy to animals, but she keeps it under control by taking medicine. It doesn’t stop her from entering her own furry companion into the competition however. Tegan (below) is her daughter.
Where do I recognise her from?
“Margaret, Margaret…” Stirling Gallacher played Margaret and the Prime Minister’s wife in Little Britain, brought to us by comedy veterans David Walliams and Matt Lucas. She played the role of Jennifer Taylor-Clarke in The Office and also appeared in Doctors.
Aisling Loftus – Tegan Langton
Tegan Langton works for Delphi Hartley and helps her with the annual pet show. She’s a dab hand at dealing with Delphi’s finances, when she’s not too distracted by her boyfriend Sebastian that is.
Where do I recognise her from?
You’ve probably caught Aisling Loftus as Sonya Rostova in War & Peace and as Agnes Towler in Mr. Selfridge.
Sean Gallagher – Errol Judd
Errol Judd is a shady character when he appears on the scene fresh from Thailand. He provokes panic in Cleo Langton, making his intentions – and their relationship – unclear.
Where do I recognise him from? Sean Gallagher is probably best known for playing Paul Connor in Coronation Street from 2006 to 2007.
Amit Shah – Shray Varma
Shray Varma (right) is good friends with both Tegan and Sebastian and works as a lettings agent for Cleo. He might be harbouring some secret feelings though…oh, find him some bunny to love.
Where do I recognise him from? Amit Shah has been in the television series Silent Witness, Crashing, and Black Mirror.
Maxim de Villiers – Sebastian Huntington
Sebastian Huntington, or Seb, works for his girlfriend Tegan’s mother Cleo as an estate agent. He’s certainly sweet on Tegan and is clearly ambitious at work, setting his sights perhaps a bit too high.
Where do I recognise him from? You can watch Maxim de Villiers in films The Legend of Tarzan and The Windmill, as well as the television series Doctors.
from Radio Times http://bit.ly/2S0rJ2F
