Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 guest cast includes stars from Amandaland and Death in Paradise
Midsomer Murders is back with an amazing guest cast for the first episode, The Devil’s Work
Dec 29 2025
Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 is finally here after an agonising wait for fans. The new series has four feature-length episodes, and the first two episodes, which air on ITV in late December 2025, have an all-star guest cast.
The first episode is called The Devil’s Work. It will see DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix) return to crack another case in Midsomer.
Episode 1 follows the story of the Shirewell siblings, who find their world rocked when their father, Henry, dies. But not everyone is sad to see Henry pass away, and soon rivalry and murder are on the cards when his son plans to sell off the family’s estate.
Some huge names are joining the episode, including Alex Macqueen, Peter Serafinowicz, Ginny Holder and Verity Marshall.
Here is everything you need to know about the Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 guest cast…
Lucian drops a bombshell on his family (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 guest cast: Peter Serafinowicz as Lucian Shirewell
Lucian is the eldest of the Shirewell siblings and heir to the beautiful Stourwick Estate when his father dies. However, his siblings are horrified when he throws an unexpected curveball into their world, announcing his tenure at Stourwick will be the family’s last.
Bohemian Lucian, who has already turned the estate’s old stables into a ceramics studio, tells his stunned family that he intends to evict them from their homes with immediate effect.
Instead, he plans to turn the family home into a residential artists’ community. The chapel will become a gallery for his lurid artwork, while the farmland will become a solar park.
There is no love lost between Lucian and his late father, Henry. Lucian still blames his dad for the death of his mother, Clarissa, almost 40 years ago. So when an incriminating letter is found with his father’s belongings, Lucian becomes the prime suspect for his death.
But, did he kill the family patriarch, or has he been set up?
What has Peter Serafinowicz been in before?
Peter has one of the most wide-ranging CVs in showbiz. He’s an actor, comedian, director, voice artist, and sketch legend. He most recently starred in Amandaland series 1 as Amanda’s love interest and property developer, Johannes.
He is also the host of the Netflix game show Million Dollar Secret, where a millionaire hides in plain sight.
The Liverpool-born star voiced the Google-Disney CEO in The Simpsons in 2018 and is known as the voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. He also voiced Big Daddy in Sing and Sing 2 and Spitelout in How to Train Your Dragon.
He has starred in Shaun of the Dead, Parks and Recreation and The Tick. Peter’s screen work spans both sides of the Atlantic, though The Peter Serafinowicz Show on BBC2 remains a cult classic here.
Has Francis framed his older brother? (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1: Alex Macqueen as Francis Shirewell
Francis is Lucian’s younger brother. The pair don’t get along due to the fact that they are so different. While Lucian is an acclaimed avant-garde ceramicist, Francis is a traditionalist.
The youngest of the Shirewell siblings, Francis is horrified when his brother decides to move him from the prestigious Dower House on the family estate to a much smaller flat in London.
Francis is married to Davina, and the pair are fuming when they are forced to leave their home to make way for Lucian’s artists’ community. But when Lucian is accused of murder, could Francis be framing his sibling for their father’s demise?
Where have you seen Alex Macqueen before?
Surrey-born Alex has enjoyed a vast career, appearing in shows such as Doctor Who, Peep Show, The Thick of It, Fate: The Winx Saga and The Inbetweeners.
He played consultant anaesthetist Keith Greene in Holby City between 2005 and 2010, and afterwards went on to star in Outnumbered on BBC One.
You will also recognise Alex as Patrick Jarvis MP in series 3 of Peaky Blinders, Stephen Gardiner in Becoming Elizabeth and as Tindall in the Apple TV+ series, Hijack.
And let’s not forget his turn as the exceedingly creepy neighbour in this year’s Channel 5 drama The Feud.
Ursula is heartbroken when her father dies (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Sarah Woodward plays Ursula Shirewell in Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1
Ursula is Francis and Lucian’s older sister, who spends her time caring for their dying father, Henry.
There is tension between the family, mainly because Lucian refuses to follow tradition when it comes to the Stourwick Estate.
Ursula lives in the main house with her father. But when he dies, she finds herself turfed out by Lucian and moved to a property in rural France.
Speaking of playing Ursula, Sarah said: “She is definitely a very complicated lady. I always think you have to watch the quiet ones and they’re always great fun to play. Ursula is full of anger. Underneath all the quiet strains of her, there’s something constantly bubbling.”
Family secrets unfold when someone accuses Lucian of murder. Is Ursula hiding something sinister?
What else has Sarah Woodward been in?
London-born Sarah is a highly regarded theatre actress, training at RADA before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company. As well as many years treading the boards and winning awards, Sarah also has an impressive television CV.
Over the years, she has had roles in Death in Paradise, Queens of Mystery, Silent Witness and Professor T – a recurring role as Ingrid Snares. She has also appeared in Doctors, DCI Banks, Endeavour, New Blood, Holby City and Law & Order: UK.
In 2024, Sarah also played Lady Sabitha Frey in House of the Dragon.
Does Davina know more about the murder than she is letting on? (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1: Agni Scott as Davina Shirewell
Davina is the wife of the youngest Shirewell brother, Francis. However, she is insufferable and finds it hard to get along with his complex family. Davina and Francis live in the exquisite Dower House on the Stourwick Estate, but are fuming when Lucian announces they are to be relocated to a flat in London.
As Barnaby and Winter investigate Henry’s murder, could Davina know more about the crime than she is letting on?
What has Agni Scott been in before?
You will recognise Agni as Camilla in Bridget Jones’s Baby and Sia in the Netflix movie Find Me Falling. She also played Mrs Croft in Persuasion and Miriam in The Young Messiah.
Born in Cyprus, Agni moved to the US when she was 18. She married fellow actor Scott Handy in 2003.
Charles Dale, pictured as himself, plays Gideon in Midsomer Murders’ The Devil’s Work (Credit: Shutterstock)
Who else guest stars in Midsomer Murders series 24, episode 1?
Charles Dale plays Gideon Blundell
Gideon is a tenant farmer on the Stourwick Estate, who has some history with Ursula – to be unveiled in the episode.
Welsh-born Charles played Big Mac in Casualty and Dennis Stringer in Coronation Street. He has also starred in Emmerdale, Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, Unforgotten and Grantchester.
Lila Blundell is sitting on something in Midsomer Murders’ The Devil’s Work (Credit: ITV)
Ginny Holder is Lila Blundell
Ginny Holder plays Charles’s wife, Lila Blundell, and she is holding a painful secret or two.
Ginny became a household name for her role as Thandie Abebe-Griffin in Holby City between 2007 and 2010, and has played Darlene Curtis on Death in Paradise since 2018.
Caleb and Lila have secrets to share (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Joshua Griffin portrays Caleb Blundell
Caleb is Lila and Gideon’s grown-up son, who is hiding a secret of his own.
Young actor Joshua has also had guest star roles in BBC soap Doctors and Father Brown in recent years. He has also gained acclaim for his role in short film The Stupid Boy. He has filmed several projects this year that are currently in post-production – watch this space!
Who is the mysterious Sadie Rowcroft, played by Jade Harrison? (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Jade Harrison guest stars as Sadie Rowcroft
Sadie is the long-suffering, some-time lover and companion of ‘free spirit’ Lucian.
Jade played Michelle in Insomnia, Deborah in The Midwich Cuckoos and Metts in Wedding Season. She also appeared in the recent ITV drama, The Hack, and plays Chief Superintendent Charlie Woods in Beyond Paradise.
Jordana is seemingly besotted with Lucian in Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 (Credit: ITV)
Verity Marshall is Jordana Linsbury
Jordana is staying at the estate, a ‘special’ guest of Lucian. But she appears rather more attached to him than he is of her… as Sadie delights in suggesting.
Verity gained recognition for her roles in Holby City and BBC drama, Press. She also played Amy in the White Christmas episode of the Netflix series Black Mirror.
Justin Inkerman played by Patrick Pearson in Midsomer Murders series 14 episode 1 (Credit: ITV)
Patrick Pearson is Justin Inkerman
Justin is the Shirewell family lawyer who has the unenviable task of handling Henry’s estate.
Patrick Pearson has enjoyed a lengthy career as an actor with projects as diverse as hit film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and popular mainstream TV shows New Tricks, Bad Girls and EastEnders.
Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 cast
Neil Dudgeon returns as DCI John Barnaby
Nick Hendrix is back as DS Jamie Winter
Fiona Dolman plays John’s wife, Sarah Barnaby
Isabel Shaw stars as John’s daughter, Betty Barnaby
Annette Badland plays pathologist Fleur Perkins
Peter Serafinowicz is Lucian Shirewell
Alex Macqueen portrays Francis Shirewell
Agni Scott plays Francis’ wife, Davina Shirewell
Sarah Woodward is Francis and Lucian’s older sister, Ursula Shirewell
Charles Dale plays Gideon Blundell
Ginny Holder is Lila Blundell
Joshua Griffin portrays Caleb Blundell
Jade Harrison portrays Sadie Rowcroft
Verity Marshall is Jordana Linsbury
Miya James plays Sorrel Watkins
Patrick Pearson is Justin Inkerman
Read more: Midsomer Murders series 26: ITV confirms the drama will be back for more episodes
Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 airs on Monday, December 29 at 8.30 pm on ITV1.
The second episode, called Book of the Dead, will air the following evening on Tuesday, December 30 at 8.30 pm, also on ITV1.
