The Stage

John Nettles to quit Midsomer Murders

Published Thursday 12 February 2009 at 12:05 by Matthew Hemley

John Nettles has announced he is to leave long-running drama Midsomer Murders after filming the 13th series of the show.

He will complete two episodes of the show’s 12th series early next year and complete work on the 13th by the end of 2010. His final appearances as CID Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby in the show will be screened on ITV in 2011.

By the time he has completed work on the series, he will have appeared in more than 75 episodes.

Nettles said: “I never thought when we were filming the pilot, The Killings at Badger’s Drift in 1996, that I would go on to film so many episodes. It has been a joy to be involved in such a long-running series, with so many good actors and great storylines. It’s the end of an era for me.”

ITV said it planned to continue the show without the actor and producer Brian True May added: “The brand of Midsomer is so strong that I am confident of its continuing success with a new actor. It has been a great personal and professional relationship between John and I, and I am very pleased that this is set to continue.”

ITV director of drama Laura Mackie said Nettles had been “instrumental in creating a much-loved character and a hugely successful long-running series for ITV”.