After more than two decades of increasingly outlandish – but no less entertaining – storylines, the knives appear to be out for hit ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders after the new series appears to have gone too far
Hugely popular crime drama Midsomer Murders could be facing the axe – after ITV has sensationally already pulled the second episode of the new season from its schedule.
The 23rd series only launched on Sunday night, but after a mixed reception the broadcaster has chosen not to air the second instalment this coming weekend, with no confirmation as of yet on when it will go live. This has led to speculation that ITV could be looking to axe the show, with Midsomer Murders now just 8/11 to be cancelled following the screening of the new series, according to bookies betideas.com.
Lee Astley, spokesperson for the firm said: “The new series of Midsomer Murders was met with a mixed reception, and with no confirmed date for its second episode, it appears ITV could be losing patience with its long-running drama. Series 23, whenever it does resume, could well be the last one to hit our screens, with the show now just 8/11 to be canned after the latest season is aired.
“Meanwhile, ITV bosses could look to keep hold of the show but instead give it a major revamp to appeal to new viewers, including a new cast, with Midsomer Murders 6/4 to receive a significant rebrand.”
The latest season once again has DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) investigate a string of elaborate deaths in the rather dangerous fictional English county of Midsomer. Sunday night’s episode – ‘The Blacktrees Prophecy’ – saw the detective delving into the mysterious death of a survivalist found lifeless in his bombproof bunker. As Barnaby dug deeper, he uncovered a “dark conspiracy to reveal how far people will go to escape the end of the world.”
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The synopsis reads: “One morning Warren receives the call he was been waiting for – nuclear missiles have launched – vindicated, Warren races to the bunker and radios for the other preppers to meet him there. However, the anticipated apocalypse turns out to be a false alarm: “But as dawn breaks over Blacktrees-on-Marsh, the sun rises over village green serenity, rather than a scorched earth.”
Tragedy strikes when Warren’s wife Clodagh finds him dead. As detectives Barnaby and Winter start their investigation, they learn from chief pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins that: “Warren was suffocated, someone tampered with the air filter and sucked the oxygen out – this is someone with technical skills.”
The story then takes a personal turn when Barnaby considers the allure of the survivalist lifestyle, even stocking up on emergency supplies himself after “Sarah reveals that her mother is coming to stay…”
The synopsis adds: “Warren, who was part of a small doomsday prepper community in the village, had found much comfort being with like-minded individuals… until now. The duo must question if someone was desperate to get their hands on Warren’s shelter, or if someone is trying to send a message. The pressure is on to work out who and why before the killer can strike again.”
‘Nice easy Sunday night telly but a bit far-fetched’
Some viewers found the latest epsiode too ‘far-fetched’ and vented their disappointment on X, formerly Twitter. One wrote: “Nice easy Sunday night telly but a bit far-fetched.”
Another said “John Nettles made this show. When he finished it went downhill, still watchable but a difficult one, to be honest”.
A third added: “Don’t know why, but no matter how hard I try to like this show I can never get into it.”
Launched in 1997, Midsomer Murders has long been a much-loved series renowned for its captivating blend of mystery, drama, and quintessential English charm. The show initially followed the investigations of Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (John Nettles), and later his cousin, Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon).
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