ITV confirms future of Midsomer Murders as fans fear series has been axed after 27 years

The future of enduring crime drama, Midsomer Murders has been confirmed by ITV after fans feared the show could be axed after a celebrated twenty-seven-year run. At the heart of many classic crime mysteries since its inception in 1997, with its most recent season launching on April 14, the show has mysteriously disappeared from TV schedules - fanning the flames of speculation that it may have met its untimely end.

Abandoning the quintessential English village for the bright stage lights, stalwart viewers have pointed out that shows such as Britain's Got Talent and new airplane-set drama Red Eye have unceremoniously snatched the usual airtime slot reserved for Midsomer Murders. The suspense was heightened further following the latest episode which saw Neil Dudgeon (as DCI John Barnaby) along with Nick Hendrix (playing Detective Sergeant Jamie Winter) unravel the mystery surrounding a man found dead in a bomb shelter.

This seeming conclusion sent ripples of concern throughout its loyal fanbase who took to social media outlets to question whether this could signal the closure of the CID office doors. One distressed viewer remarked, "Seems like there hasn't been any new #MidsomerMurders for years! ... has it been cancelled or summit." (sic)

However, it has since been confirmed the series will be back on screens in the "coming months". An insider has since provided more information, explaining: "We have more episodes of Midsomer Murders in the ITV1 schedule in the coming months. We don't reveal exact details of the schedule ahead of time, but suffice to say there's definitely more Midsomer Murders to come."

It's also anticipated that season 24 will hit screens sometime in 2024, with whispers of a 25th season already circulating.

Series stalwart Neil Dudgeon, aged 63, has expressed his desire to stay with the show well into the future.

In a chat with Weekend Magazine in 2019, he said: "I see no reason for Midsomer ever to stop.

"The only reason it would stop is if audiences go off it or somebody at ITV loses their nerve. I can imagine it going on and on because it keeps reinventing itself."

Yet, Dudgeon's optimism might face a challenge as some devotees have suggested the plots are becoming too far-fetched.

The single episode from the 23rd season that aired recently featured a survivalist found dead in his bomb shelter, which proved too much for some viewers.

A viewer voiced their opinion on X, stating: "Nice, easy Sunday night telly but a bit far-fetched."

Another lamented: "John Nettles made this show. When he finished it went downhill, still watchable but a difficult one, to be honest."

Midsomer Murders will be back on ITV later this year.