Midsomer Murders' Neil Dudgeon addresses future as DCI John Barnaby as he takes break
Midsomer Murders' Neil Dudgeon addresses future as DCI John Barnaby as he takes break
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Neil Dudgeon has addressed his future as DCI John Barnaby in an exciting series announcement. Neil joined the series in 2011 after replacing John Nettles, who played the original lead detective, Tom Barnaby. However, speaking in a new interview, Neil admitted he will continue to play the detective until he's "given the hook" by show bosses. When asked whether he has any plans of leaving the ITV series any time soon, the actor told Radio Times: "No, I assume that at some point I'll get the hook. You know, the hook will all come and sort of drag me off into the wings, and they won't want me anymore.
"But they haven't done it yet, so I'm going to keep going to work until I get the hook.". The John Barnaby actor also shared an exciting update on series 25, which will consist of four stories And while he doesn't know when the episodes will air, Neil said filming will begin next month. '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," he stated.
"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.". In November last year, Neil appeared on ITV's This Morning to discuss the long-running drama. Alison Hammond even quizzed the actor on whether the previous series was the end. She asked: "I think the question on everybody's lips is, is this the end of DCI Barnaby?".
"Why?" Neil quizzed as Alison replied: "There have been rumours that this could be the end.". Amused, Neil retorted, "Somebody knows something I don't," before jesting, "Somebody is trying to get rid of me.". He added: "As far as I know, I am still here. We are shooting again next year, and the last I heard, I am in it, but I haven't read the script yet, so I don't know.". And while Neil won't be leaving the series any time soon, the bookmakers have been sharing their thoughts on who could step into the actor's shoes when he does.
Vera actor Kenny Doughty has come out on top and is the bookies' favourite to replace Neil. Martin Clunes has also been given odds of 20/1 to replace Neil, alongside Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst and Jamie Parker. The other actors include Death in Paradise's Ralf Little and Daniel Case, who have been given odds of 5/1 and 6/1. Former detective John Nettles has also been given odds of 80/1 of returning to replace Neil.
