Midsomer Murders 1997
“The deadliest county in England.”
What is Midsomer Murders?
Midsomer Murders is a British mystery television series that first premiered on the ITV network on March 23, 1997. Created by Caroline Graham, the show is based on her Chief Inspector Barnaby book series and was adapted for television by Anthony Horowitz and Douglas Watkinson.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1997
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 144
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
- First aired
- Mar 23, 1997
- Last aired
- Dec 30, 2025
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- ITV1
- Genres
- Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 144 episodes and an average 90-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
Midsomer Murders is a British mystery television series that first premiered on the ITV network on March 23, 1997. Created by Caroline Graham, the show is based on her Chief Inspector Barnaby book series and was adapted for television by Anthony Horowitz and Douglas Watkinson. The program features a veteran Detective Chief Inspector and his young sergeant as they investigate various murder cases occurring within the regional community of Midsomer County. The peacefulness of this community is frequently shattered by violent crimes, leading the investigators to place various individuals under suspicion. It is the responsibility of the lead detective and his sergeant to calmly and diligently eliminate the innocent suspects while ruthlessly pursuing the guilty parties. The cast of the series has included John Nettles, Jane Wymark, Barry Jackson, and Neil Dudgeon. The show has maintained a presence on television since its initial debut, focusing on the procedural aspects of solving complex criminal investigations within the fictional county.
Should you watch it?
“A veteran detective and his sergeant investigate violent crimes within the peaceful community of Midsomer County.”
- diligent investigative process
- classic mystery storytelling
- violent subject matter
Watch it if you enjoy traditional British detective dramas featuring long-form investigations.
The series features depictions of violent crimes occurring within a regional community.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 5 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 The Killings at Badger's Drift Mar 23, 1997
- E2 Written in Blood Mar 22, 1998
- E3 Death of a Hollow Man Mar 29, 1998
- E4 Faithful Unto Death Apr 22, 1998
- E5 Death in Disguise May 6, 1998
Season 2 · 4 episodes
- E1 Death's Shadow Jan 20, 1999
- E2 Strangler's Wood Feb 3, 1999
- E3 Dead Man's Eleven Sep 12, 1999
- E4 Blood Will Out Sep 19, 1999
Season 3 · 4 episodes
- E1 Death of a Stranger Dec 31, 1999
- E2 Blue Herrings Jan 22, 2000
- E3 Judgement Day Jan 29, 2000
- E4 Beyond the Grave Feb 5, 2000
Season 4 · 6 episodes
- E1 Garden of Death Sep 10, 2000
- E2 Destroying Angel Aug 26, 2001
- E3 Electric Vendetta Sep 2, 2001
- E4 Who Killed Cock Robin? Sep 9, 2001
- E5 Dark Autumn Sep 16, 2001
- E6 Tainted Fruit Sep 23, 2001
Season 5 · 4 episodes
- E1 Market for Murder Jun 16, 2002
- E2 A Worm in the Bud Jun 23, 2002
- E3 Ring Out Your Dead Sep 15, 2002
- E4 Murder on St Malley's Day Sep 22, 2002
Frequently asked questions
When did the series premiere?
The series premiered on the ITV network on March 23, 1997.
What is the format of the episodes?
Each episode has a runtime of 90 minutes.
Who created the series?
The series was created by Caroline Graham.
What is the setting of the show?
The show is set in the regional community of Midsomer County.
Who are the primary investigators?
The investigations are led by a veteran Detective Chief Inspector and his young sergeant.