John Nettles and Jason Hughes continue investigating deadly deeds and gruesome goings-on in the top-rating ITV1 drama MIDSOMER MURDERS, from Bentley Productions.

Unflappable detectives DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Ben Jones are drawn into the worlds of golf and spying as mystery, murder and mayhem shatter the peaceful and picturesque surroundings of the Midsomer villages once again.

John Nettles to leave Midsomer Murders

John Nettles has announced his forthcoming departure from the popular drama. But for the moment it’s business as usual - work has already started on the 13th series which will keep DCI Barnaby on TV screens until well into 2011.

As ever, a stellar line-up of acting talent joins John and Jason including John Bowe, Peter Davison, Geoffrey Hutchings, Alice Krige, Nicholas Le Prevost, Anna Massey, John Standing, Neil Stuke, Rupert Vansittart and Benjamin Whitrow.

Jane Wymark plays Barnaby’s long-suffering wife Joyce, with Barry Jackson as pathologist Dr Bullard, Kirsty Dillon as WPC Gail Stephens and Nick Fletcher as fast-track police chief John Cotton, recently promoted to Chief Superintendent.

Producer Brian True-May says: “Although the departure of John Nettles will inevitably mean the end of an era, we’re looking forward to a long and successful future for the series. The MIDSOMER MURDERS brand is so strong that I am confident of its continuing success with a new actor.

“We have filmed more than 70 episodes so far, and work is now underway on eight new episodes in our 13th series. John’s attitude is that it’s very much business as usual and he will be on our film set until 2010, and on television sets until 2011.”

Adds Brian: “I am delighted that MIDSOMER MURDERS attracts so many high profile names and we are proud that they join our company for a short but hopefully enjoyable time. We have even more ambitious casting for the 13th series.

“We are also committed to maintaining the highest standards, which is what I’m sure continues to bring us excellent viewing figures at home and sales to 230 territories from Afghanistan to Zambia - that’s more countries than there are in the world.”

The executive producer of MIDSOMER MURDERS is Brian True-May and the series is made by Bentley Productions, part of the All3Media Group, for ITV1.

ITV’s Midsomer Murders starring John Nettles

DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Ben Jones investigate gruesome murders in Midsomer

Starring John Nettles and Jason Hughes

Photograph of John Nettles and Jason Hughes in character for Midsomer Murders

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Photograph of Jason Hughes & John Nettles in character for Midsomer Murders