John Nettles Reveals Why He’ll Never WatchMidsomer MurdersAgain
You know, it’s always fascinating when a beloved actor opens up about their most iconic roles—and this time, it’s John Nettles making headlines. The 81-year-old actor, who famously portrayed Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby in Midsomer Murders , has revealed that he has absolutely no interest in watching the show again. And honestly, his reason makes perfect sense.
So, Nettles starred in Midsomer Murders from the very beginning in 1997 until he left the series in 2011. But long before that, he was already a household name thanks to his lead role in the BBC crime drama Bergerac , which ran through the ‘80s and early ‘90s. With decades of experience in detective dramas under his belt, it’s safe to say he’s seen it all—and apparently, he’s seen enough.
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In a recent interview with The Times , Nettles admitted that he avoids watching Midsomer Murders now because he’s simply done with the whole murder mystery formula. He explained that after portraying so many crime scenes, he just can’t stomach watching someone else act out a fake death. “I never want to see another actor pretending to be a dead body,” he said bluntly. “It’s just too much. I’ve done it for so many years, for days and months at a time, 24/7, more or less.”
He even used a clever metaphor to describe it. Being in those shows, he said, was like building a wall—very carefully, brick by brick. And once you’ve built your wall, you don’t really want to go back and watch someone else building theirs. It's a simple yet powerful way to express creative burnout.
What’s more, Nettles reflected on why Midsomer Murders has remained so popular over the years. He believes it’s because of the show's wildly imaginative and "extraordinary murders"—plots that are so over-the-top they become almost surreal, which adds to the entertainment value.
But he didn’t stop there. Nettles also criticized modern detective dramas, particularly for their repeated depiction of violence against women. He described the now-familiar appearance of tortured, raped, or murdered women in these stories as “awful” and said it's being used too often as just a plot device. “It gets worse and worse and worse,” he added, expressing genuine discomfort with the direction many crime dramas have taken.
After Nettles left Midsomer Murders , the role was passed on to Neil Dudgeon, who plays Tom Barnaby’s cousin, DCI John Barnaby. As for Bergerac , a reboot is on the horizon, but Nettles has chosen not to return for even a cameo appearance.
So while fans may still enjoy revisiting those quaint yet deadly villages in Midsomer Murders , it’s clear that for John Nettles, that chapter is firmly closed—and you can’t really blame him. After all, he’s already built his wall.
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