fri 22/11/2024

Midsomer Murders, ITV1 | reviews, news & interviews

Midsomer Murders, ITV1

Midsomer Murders, ITV1

Neil Dudgeon is the new DCI Barnaby in suddenly controversial show

Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby, with a rather desirable MGA sports car

It'll be interesting to see what the recent race row - or more accurately, lack-of-race row - does for the ratings of Midsomer Murders. Possibly nothing, if the research that says that people from ethnic groups all hate the show and never watch it is to be believed. It certainly defies logic that producer Brian True-May has been made to walk the plank for saying that the programme has an all-white cast when... it does. Somehow, everybody has contrived not to mention this ever since Midsomer began in 1997.

It'll be interesting to see what the recent race row - or more accurately, lack-of-race row - does for the ratings of Midsomer Murders. Possibly nothing, if the research that says that people from ethnic groups all hate the show and never watch it is to be believed. It certainly defies logic that producer Brian True-May has been made to walk the plank for saying that the programme has an all-white cast when... it does. Somehow, everybody has contrived not to mention this ever since Midsomer began in 1997.

An epidemic of improbability had infested Darnley Park girls school, like mice in the wainscoting

Share this article

Comments

It does seem to me that we Brits are in favour of freedom of speech so long as it doesn't inconvenience us. The way footballers and their managers are treated is more suitable to the Soviet Union in its prime. Perhaps a new Gulag could be set up in the Highlands for those who step out of line.

I thought it was perfectly dreadful. I was trying to find something I recognised. Causton, the sleepy little market town had transmogrified into bustling Windsor? What was all that about? Neil Dudgeon, whom I normally admire as an actor, was dreary though it was hardly his fault due to the awful script. but he's got a long way to go to match the charisma of John Nettles. Forget Midsomer. It was just another cop show and a not very good one at that. If I hadn't know that Brian True-May was still involved I would have thought he had already departed. I should think he is well shot of it if the first episode was anything to go by.

I actually switched to another channel after the first 10 minutes or so - first time ever! However, I gave it another chance with last night's second episode - much better! Almost credible...... And I really like Neil Dudgeon as Tom's cousin (think I prefer him to the sainted Nettles....)

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters