Midsomer Murders mystery over 'missing' new episodes as fan favourite takes on new role

Midsomer Murders fans have been left puzzled over a string of 'missing' episodes. A new version of thehit ITV drama is now in the works, with a stage show seeing a former star take on the lead role.

Daniel Casey - who played young Troy in the first series of the hit ITV show alongside John Nettles, who played DCI Barnaby - will now take on the role of Barnaby in a special UK tour of Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger's Drift.

Speaking about his new role, Daniel said: "I never expected to revisit the world of Midsomer, with its weird and wonderful characters and all their dark, twisted secrets. So to be asked to play the iconic role of Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby in this new stage adaptation of The Killings at Badger's Drift was a real surprise. Workshopping the play, you realise the characters have an inherent theatricality, which is perfect to bring to the stage.

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"It has brought back some wonderful memories of such a happy time in my career playing Sergeant Troy and the fantastic time I had working with the amazing John Nettles and to be stepping into his shoes as Barnaby is both a little daunting and incredibly exciting."

John also had his say on his former second-in-command taking on the lead role.

"How wonderful that the original tale of murder and intrigue in Midsomer will be solved by Daniel, in this new stage version of Badger's Drift. Daniel brought the young Troy to life so brilliantly in the original TV pilot of the book and I'm delighted that he gets to lead the investigation in this theatre adaption," he said of the new part for his former sergeant.

"He has a fabulous track record in his stage work – and had a marvellous DCI to teach him the detecting ropes, back in the day!"

Ahead of the stage show, fans have been desperate to find out when the programme will be back on ITV. It has aired sporadically as of late, owing to TV schedules and changes. There had also been fears that the show might have been axed.

However, the 24th series has been confirmed for ITV eventually, with the four-episode line-up already airing abroad. Kicking off with The Devil's Work, the synopsis reads: "The demise of the Shirewell patriarch sparks a vicious inheritance dispute when eldest son Lucian announces plans to break up an estate that's been in his family for centuries."

Following that, there will be Book Of The Dead, Claws Out and A Climate Of Death.

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