Neil returns to screens on Monday evening as Detective Barnaby, alongside Nick Hendrix as his partner Detective Sergeant Jamie Winter, and Annette Badland<\/a> in the role of Dr Fleur Perkins.<\/p>\n Speaking exclusively to Reach PLC ahead of the new series, Neil discussed his future with the popular ITV<\/a> drama, revealing he approaches his tenure cautiously and prefers to consider it “a year at a time” rather than taking anything for granted.<\/p>\n When questioned about whether he’d like to continue playing Barnaby for as long as possible, Neil responded, “I think so, I mean I wouldn’t want to do it to the point where it’s embarrassing, and he’s just too old. I just take it a year at a time.”<\/p>\n Reflecting on how he came to take on the part, Neil recalled: “When they first came to me, I was asked, ‘How do you feel if John leaves Midsomer Murders<\/a>?’ and I said, ‘It would be fantastic, and I’d love to’,” reports the Express<\/a>.<\/p>\n He continued: “I started off thinking, ‘I’ll do the first episode and see how it is, ‘ and then they might think, ‘Oh, we made a terrible mistake, or he’s awful’.<\/p>\n “By series one, I thought I’d shoot one episode, and they’d say, ‘he’s terrible, we are not doing anymore’. After having John Nettles for 13 years, and then I come along, and it’s cancelled, that would be pretty embarrassing.<\/p>\n “But then, at the end of the first series, they recommissioned it, and I thought it was great because that sort of vindicates that people had faith in me to give me the job in the first place.”<\/p>\n He continued, “So that was great to have the first recommission and do a second series. When I first started, somebody said to me, ‘I think everybody would be happy if you did another three years or so,’ and 15 years later, I am still doing it.<\/p>\n “So, I think everyone is pleased that it is still going, but I always take it a year at a time, and at the end of every series, I think, ‘Are there going to be more?’<\/p>\n “Sooner or later, somebody is going to say there can’t be any more stories in Midsomer, but we keep coming up with them, and people seem to like it.”<\/p>\n Fans of Midsomer Murders are in for a treat as Series 24 finally airs with two brand-new episodes on Monday and Tuesday.<\/p>\n The first episode of Midsomer Murders, titled The Devil’s Work, which airs on Monday night, has an intriguing synopsis: “The death of an ancient estate’s patriarch leads to rivalry and murder when his rebellious son plans to sell it off, outraging his siblings.”<\/p>\n The second episode, titled, The Book of the Dead, airing on Tuesday, teases viewers with: “When the author of a book that sparked a nationwide treasure hunt is found dead, Barnaby and Winter must unravel the cryptic clues to find the killer among a group of dedicated seekers.”<\/p>\n Midsomer Murders will air on Monday at 8.30pm on ITV.<\/p>\n![\"Neil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Neil-Dudgeon-as-Detective-Barnaby.jpg\")
Neil Dudgeon as Detective Barnaby(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n![\"Neil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Neil-Dudgeon-addressed-his-future-as-Barnaby.jpg\")
Neil Dudgeon addressed his future as Barnaby(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n