Midsomer Murders: Days of Misrule

01/12/2008

It’s Christmas in Midsomer but there’s little time for turkey and crackers for DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Ben Jones when an explosion rocks a haulage yard and a man’s body is found in a trunk floating on a lake.

John Nettles and Jason Hughes return as the unflappable detectives as murder and mayhem once again threaten to disrupt the peaceful and picturesque surroundings of the Midsomer villages.

Days of Misrule, a two-hour Midsomer Murders film from Bentley Productions, is transmitted at the heart of ITV’s Christmas schedule.

It guest-stars Tim Pigott-Smith as haulage company boss and Territorial Army leader Matt Parkes, Niamh Cusack as grieving mother Penny Galsworthy and Joseph Millson as Parkes’ ruthless son James.

Jane Wymark is back as Barnaby’s wife Joyce, with Barry Jackson as pathologist Dr Bullard and Kirsty Dillon as WPC Gail Stephens.

Executive Producer Brian True-May says: “Days of Misrule has everything you want in a Christmas film – a mysterious crime, a host of possible weird and wonderful suspects, beautiful locations, and, in Barnaby, one of the most popular TV detectives of all time.  We’re sure it will have a wide appeal.

“Barnaby and Jones go on manoeuvres with the TA which is very amusing, but the episode is ultimately an emotional piece because of a difficult father-son relationship.  We’re delighted to have the excellent Tim Pigott-Smith as a guest star.”

Days of Misrule is just one of several new Midsomer Murders films for fans to enjoy.  A new 12th series is currently in production until March 2009.  As well as high ratings on ITV1 ever since it began in 1997, the drama is also an international success story with record sales around the world, from Afghanistan to Zambia.

Adds Brian:  “We’re approaching our 70th episode and already have scripts for our 13th and 14th series well underway.  We are committed to maintaining the highest standards, which is what I’m sure continues to bring us excellent viewing figures at home and sales to 230 territories – that’s more countries than there are in the world.”

Midsomer Murders: Days of Misrule is written by Elizabeth-Anne Wheal, produced by Brian True-May and directed by Renny Rye.  It is made by Bentley Productions, part of the All3Media Group, for ITV1.

Click her to download Midsomer Murders: Days of Misrule press pack (.doc)