Midsomer Murders series 24: Plot, start date, episodes and famous faces as the cosy crime drama finally returns to ITV1
Midsomer Murders fans have finally had their prayers answered…
Dec 29 2025
Midsomer Murders series 24 is finally here, after a frustratingly long wait for fans. A Christmas treat, albeit with no festive theme. This series of the cosy crime drama, set in the beautiful, yet surprisingly dangerous, country village of Midsomer, will have four episodes, each with a brilliant guest cast.
DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix) are also back to crack more cases. The first, called The Devil’s Work, follows the story of the Shirewell siblings who find themselves at war following the suspicious death of their father.
The second episode is titled The Book of the Dead. The story sees Barnaby and Winter trying to work out who brutally killed the author of a famous treasure hunt book and left his body in the woods.
But who are the famous faces joining the cast, and when does the series start? Here’s everything we know about Midsomer Murders series 24, including the start date, guest cast and twisty-turny plot details…
Winter, Fleur and Barnaby are back to solve another crime (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
How many episodes are there?
There are four feature-length episodes for series 24.
We also know there will be a series 25 on the way, and series 26 was also announced in October. ITV revealed the good news in October 2025, ahead of the cast and crew returning to filming.
ITV’s Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones said: “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.”
When does Midsomer Murders series 24 air?
Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 airs on Monday, December 29 at 8.30pm on ITV1.
Episode 2 will air the following evening on Tuesday, December 30 at 8.30pm, also on ITV1.
The remaining two episodes are likely to air on ITV at some point in 2026.
Viewers in the US and Canada can watch the series on Acorn TV. In fact, they are ahead of fans in the UK watching the series on ITV. Midsomer Murders series 25 will premiere exclusively in the US and Canada from Monday, December 8, 2025.
Can Winter and Barnaby work out who killed Bertram? (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
What is the plot for Midsomer Murders series 24?
As loyal fans of the crime drama know, each episode of Midsomer Murders is a standalone story. Every plot wraps up nicely by the end, which is why the episodes run longer than most crime dramas.
We have details for the first two episodes, which will air in late December 2025.
Lucian drops a bombshell on his family (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Midsomer Murders series 24 Episode 1 – The Devil’s Work plot
Episode 1 will follow the story of the Shirewell siblings, who find their world rocked when their father, Henry, dies. But not everyone is sad to see him pass away.
Henry’s bohemian eldest son, Lucian, who has already turned the estate’s old stables into a ceramics studio, tells his stunned siblings that he intends to evict them from their homes with immediate effect as he plans to turn the family estate into a residential artists’ community.
However, when an incriminating letter is found in Henry’s belongings, Lucian is soon accused of his father’s murder. But is he guilty? Or has he been framed?
Some huge names are joining Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1, including Alex Macqueen, Peter Serafinowicz, Ginny Holder and Verity Marshall.
Bertram’s bizarre murder leaves the police baffled (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Midsomer Murders series 24 – Book of the Dead plot
The episode sees panic spread when an author, whose book sparked a nationwide treasure hunt, is found brutally murdered in the woods.
He found fame after publishing his treasure hunt book, Seeker, which promised hidden treasure – worth a life-changing amount – to whoever solved the clues hidden in the book’s pictures.
Bertram’s fortune is quickly running out, and a decade later, the prize still hasn’t been found. Deciding to cash in on his book once again, he arranges a 10th anniversary relaunch, rekindling the excitement for his fans.
However, Bertram’s plans fall flat when a journalist exposes his secret past. The following day, someone brutally murders him in the woods. But was it a crazed fan who killed him, or someone else entirely?
The second episode of Midsomer Murders series 24 welcomes an all-star guest cast including Sally Lindsay, Shaun Dooley and Jon Culshaw.
Barnaby and Winter are back to solve more murders in Midsomer (Credit: ITV/Mark Bourdillon)
Who’s in the main cast for Midsomer Murders series 24?
Neil Dudgeon returns as DCI Barnaby in Midsomer Murders series 24. He has portrayed the character since series 13 in 2010.
Nick Hendrix will also be back playing Barnaby’s trusted sidekick DS Winter. Nick joined the cast in 2016, filling the hole left by the departure of Jason Hughes as DS Ben Jones.
Annette Badland will reprise her role of pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins. She first joined the cast in 2018, but was previously famous for her roles in Ted Lasso, The Archers, and Cutting It. Soap fans will remember her for playing evil Aunt Babe in EastEnders between 2014 and 2017.
Former Heartbeat star Fiona Dolman plays Barnaby’s wife, Sarah and Isabel Shaw stars as John’s daughter, Betty Barnaby.
Read more: ITV reveals ‘top tier dramas’ landing in 2026, including new Michelle Keegan drama The Blame
Midsomer Murders series 24 episode 1 airs on Monday, December 29 at 8.30pm on ITV1.
The second episode, called Book of the Dead will air the following evening on Tuesday, December 30 at 8.30pm, also on ITV1.
All past series of Midsomer Murders can be found on ITVX.
