ITV RECOMMISSIONS MIDSOMER MURDERS FOR SERIES 26

Fan favourite Midsomer Murders has been commissioned for a 26th series by UK broadcaster ITV and leading distributor All3Media International, meaning no one is safe in the villages of Midsomer County...

The much-loved prime time detective series is a ratings hit around the world and this 4-episode commission will bring the number of episodes available to 148 making DCI Barnaby the most hard-working TV detective.

Produced by Bentley Productions, executive produced by Michele Buck, and commissioned by ITV's Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones, with All3Media International, series 26 will invite viewers back to the picturesque yet surprisingly lethal English countryside for four new feature-length mysteries. Starring Neil Dudgeon as DCI Barnaby and Nick Hendrix as his trusted sidekick DS Winter, the series will also see the return of Annette Badland as pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins and Fiona Dolman as Barnaby's wife Sarah.

ITV's Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones says: "We're thrilled to be returning to Midsomer with Barnaby and Winter. Series 26 promises to deliver four brilliant brand new cases for the legion of Midsomer Murders fans to enjoy."

Executive producer Michele Buck adds: "We are so pleased to be able to bring viewers more tales from the fascinating world of Midsomer Murders with this series 26 commission."

In the UK, all episodes of Midsomer Murders are available for streaming on a dedicated FAST channel on ITVX, which is part of ITV's online service, and ensures the popular series can be viewed by anyone wishing to enjoy the back catalogue 24/7. Midsomer Murders is the most-watched FAST channel on ITVX since the channel launched.

Cited as the biggest UK detective drama export for many years, Midsomer Murders continues to be a ratings winner around the world. A top three show in many territories including Germany, Scandinavia and the Baltics it is still active in nearly 200 territories, from Perth to Paris and Lyon to Los Angeles.

The show also has its own single IP FAST channel across North America, a range of merchandise, and it will make its stage debut in the UK later this year, with a theatrical version of the show's first episode, The Killings of Badgers Drift.

Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International noted: "Midsomer Murders is a brand that continues to resonate with fans both globally and here in the UK. It's a show whose repeatable loyalty factor enables us to position the series on various platforms - from PSBs to AVOD and FAST - and increase the series' reach to new audiences. We're thrilled that we have now passed the 25th series landmark and look forward to Bentley delivering Season 26 in 2026."

Produced by Bentley Productions for ITV, UK, and All3Media International, Midsomer Murders is based on Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby book series. Filming completed on series 25 this summer in and around the Home Counties.

Production company: Bentley Productions