All3Media International has successfully secured the commission for the 26th season of the long-running crime drama Midsomer Murders from ITV, continuing its established partnership with the broadcaster. The recommission ensures the popular series remains a key component of ITV’s programming.
The new season is set to deliver four feature-length episodes. The production will be executed by Bentley Productions, an ITV Studios label, and will continue to be filmed in the Midsomer area. Actor Neil Dudgeon returns as DCI John Barnaby, a role he has held since 2011, alongside Fiona Dolman as his wife, Sarah, and Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter.
The agreement follows the strong performance of Season 25, which saw its launch episode draw a total of 4.3 million viewers. This places the series launch as the second highest-rated drama of 2024 for ITV.
Sally Catto, Head of ITV Drama, praised the enduring success of the series, stating that Midsomer Murders ‘continues to be a global success, reflecting its enduring appeal to audiences in the UK and around the world’. She added that ITV is ‘delighted to be working with All3Media International and the team at Bentley Productions to bring more of DCI Barnaby’s distinctive investigations to screens’.
Louise Pedder, Director of International Sales at All3Media International, highlighted the series’ unique position in the market. She noted that ‘few shows achieve the longevity of Midsomer Murders, a testament to its unique blend of traditional crime drama and eccentric British humor’. Pedder confirmed that the company is ‘thrilled to be bringing the twenty-sixth season to our global partners’.
The longevity of the series is significant for its international sales, with the Midsomer Murders franchise having been sold to over 200 territories worldwide. The new season will begin filming later this year.
