The 25th season of the long-running British detective drama Midsomer Murders is ready for viewers. DCI John Barnaby, played by Neil Dudgeon, returns with his team to solve more crimes in England’s most dangerous fictional county. The new season will premiere exclusively on Acorn TV in the US and Canada starting Monday, December 8, 2025.
This milestone season brings four brand-new, feature-length episodes. Fans can expect a fresh wave of murders involving mudlarkers, lawn bowlers, and school scandals, all set against the show’s classic picturesque villages.
The Full Cast Returns to Solve New Crimes
The core team that viewers know is back for the new season. Leading the investigations is Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby. He is joined by his on-screen partner, Nick Hendrix, who plays DS Jamie Winter. The forensic expertise comes from Annette Badland, returning as pathologist Dr. Fleur Perkins. At home, Barnaby’s family life continues with Fiona Dolman as his wife, Sarah, and Isabel Shaw as their daughter, Betty. The family dog, Paddy, is also back.
The dynamic between the characters remains a key part of the show. A preview clip shows DS Winter impressing Dr. Perkins with his knowledge of Latin during an investigation, highlighting their working relationship.
Details on the Four New Feature-Length Episodes
Season 25 consists of four separate mysteries, each with its own unique setting and puzzle. The episodes will be released weekly on Acorn TV.
The first episode, “Treasures of Darkness,” starts the season on December 8. The story involves rival mudlarkers—people who search riverbanks for historical objects. The investigation begins when a jar containing human remains is discovered, suggesting a deadly dispute among treasure hunters. A clue found on a victim, a skeleton drawing with the Latin phrase “Memento Mori” (remember you must die), sets a dark tone for the case.
The following episodes promise more of the show’s signature blend of the ordinary and the deadly:
- “Lawn of the Dead” (December 15): A murder disrupts the peaceful world of a local lawn bowling club, revealing hidden rivalries and secrets.
- “Death Strikes Three” (December 22): A deadly, booby-trapped cuckoo clock at an engagement party forces Barnaby and Winter to untangle complex family histories.
- “Top of the Class” (December 29): The season concludes with a homicide at a grammar school, where the killing of a strict headteacher during a PTA meeting exposes scandals and reluctant witnesses.
How and Where to Watch the New Season
For audiences in the United States and Canada, Acorn TV is the exclusive home for the new season. Midsomer Murders Season 25 is an Acorn TV Exclusive Series in North America. The streaming service specializes in British and international television.
The full season will be released on a weekly schedule. All four episodes will be available to stream on their respective premiere dates. There is no specific release time, so subscribers can watch at any point on the day each episode debuts.
Acorn TV is available for $8.99 per month or $89.99 for an annual subscription. The service also offers a large library of previous seasons of the show.
Information regarding broadcast dates for the show’s home audience in the UK has not been announced in the current Acorn TV press materials.
Also Read:
A Look Back at the Show’s History and Future
Midsomer Murders first began in 1997 and is based on the “Chief Inspector Barnaby” book series by Caroline Graham. The show originally starred John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby, who led the series for its first 13 seasons until 2011. His cousin, DCI John Barnaby, played by Neil Dudgeon, then took over and has been the lead detective since. With this new season, the series will reach a total of 144 episodes, a count that surpasses other famous detective shows like Poirot and Columbo.
Neil Dudgeon has publicly addressed rumors about his potential departure from the series. In a past interview, he joked about eventually getting “the hook” from producers, but confirmed he continues to work on the show as long as he is wanted. Recent online rumors about him being replaced were also met with a lighthearted response from the actor. Official confirmations have stated Dudgeon will return as the lead.
The production team for Season 25 includes writers Julia Gilbert, Maria Ward, Jeff Povey, and Helen Jenkins, with episodes directed by Paul Gibson, Roberto Bangura, Darcia Martin, and Matt Carter. The season is produced by Bentley Productions for ITV in the UK.
Also Read: Landman Season 2: The Deadly H2S Gas Explained
