Fans of crime drama Midsomer Murders are on edge over the risk the show may be cancelled after twenty-seven-years.
The charming police procedural has been on the air since 1997 and the latest season began airing on 14 April. But fans have noticed a curious absence of the series from the TV schedules in the weeks since - sparking fears that the biggest body of all might be found dead in the form of the show itself.
Stressed out crime drama fans are concerned that ITV has axed the show even before the remaining three episodes have aired. Instead of being able to watch unusual murders get solved, fans have noticed that alternative shows like Britain’s Got Talent and new airplane-set drama Red Eye have taken the time slot that is usually reserved for Midsomer Murders.
The most recent episode showed Neil Dudgeon's DCI John Barnaby and Nick Hendrix's Detective Sergeant Jamie Winter solve a curious case of a man being found dead in a bomb shelter. Worried fans have flooded social media to speculate that the episode may have inadvertently been the last. One fan wrote on X: “seems like there hasn’t been any new #MidsomerMurders for years! … has it been cancelled or summit.”
An ITV source is quoted by the Express stating: "We only ever had one episode of Midsomer Murders scheduled as they are standalone stories, and there'll be more episodes in the coming months." The Mirror has also contacted ITV for comment on plans to air the remaining episodes of season 23.
It is believed season 24 of the show is also due to air at some point in 2024 - and a 25th season is also rumoured to be in the pipeline. Show star Neil Dudgeon, 63, has previously hinted he wants to continue appearing on the long-running series for years to come.
He told Weekend Magazine back in 2019: "I see no reason for Midsomer ever to stop. The only reason it would stop is if audiences go off it or somebody at ITV loses their nerve. I can imagine it going on and on because it keeps reinventing itself."
His words may come back to haunt him, however, as some fans of the show have hinted they have started to find storylines too unbelievable. The feature length episode of the 23rd season that’s aired so far tested the patience of some who thought a survivalist being found dead in his own bomb shelter went too far.
One complained on X, writing: “Nice, easy Sunday night telly but a bit far-fetched." While another huffed: "John Nettles made this show. When he finished it went downhill, still watchable but a difficult one, to be honest.”
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