❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

McDonald & Dodds stars throw hat in the ring for Midsomer Murders role

However, Neil Dudgeon isn't planning on leaving anytime soon...

Published: Friday, 31 January 2025 at 2:38 pm

Subscribe to Radio Times – 5 weeks for £2

While Neil Dudgeon has no plans to leave Midsomer Murders anytime soon, Tala Gouveia and Jason Watkins have both said they'd be interesting in stepping in to take over as the formidable detective in charge, should that ever happen.

Ad

Dudgeon currently stars as as DCI John Barnaby, having replaced John Nettles as the lead in 2011, and he'll be sticking round for as long as he can.

Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Dudgeon said: "I'm very happy in the countryside, it's very nice. And no, I assume that at some point I'll get the hook.

"They'll all come and sort of drag me off into the wings, and they won't want anymore, but they haven't done it yet, so I'm gonna keep going to work until I get the hook."

Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter and Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby in Midsomer Murders, looking at the camera and stood in front of two trees

Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter and Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby in Midsomer Murders. Bentley Productions for ITV and ITVX

When asked who he thinks could take over as the lead, stars of McDonald & Dodds (Gouveia and Watkins) joked that one of them would be a good replacement.

At the Radio Times Covers Party 2025, Dudgeon said: "Jason, obviously, unless they needed to go for somebody, well, you're quite a bit younger than me.

"You've been a detective, it's in the lovely countryside. So that would be great, we've got two good options."

Read more:

It has been a while since Midsomer Murders was last on our TV screens, but Dudgeon confirmed to RadioTimes.com that filming is commencing soon.

He said: "I don't know when it's next being broadcast, but we start filming again at the end of March for season 25, so it goes on.

"We've had a year off this year. We didn't film this year, but last year. But we are filming again this year.

"We're filming four new stories from March this year."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Midsomer Murders is available to stream on ITVX.

Ad

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

A head and shoulders shot of Abby Robinson. She is in front of a grey background, looking at the camera and smiling. She wears a black zipped-up jacket with an elaborate gold and maroon design

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

Ad

Ad

Subscribe for £1 per week

Too much to watch this autumn? Let Radio Times magazine and app do the choosing, with expert picks across TV, streaming and film.

Subscribe now

Loading...

Ad

Loading...