ITV's Midsomer Murders: Sword of Guillaume

The "killing fields” of Midsomer extend their clutches to the seaside town of Brighton in a brand new episode of top ITV drama MIDSOMER MURDERS, as DCI Barnaby goes on an away day – but ends up being followed by death and deception.

The detective, played by John Nettles, decides to join Causton’s annual trip to Brighton when he become suspicious about plans by the mayor to buy up coastal land for holiday chalets. Leaving DS Jones (Jason Hughes) at police HQ, Barnaby joins the residents of Midsomer Parva on a coach trip to the seaside to investigate.

But before they can get to the bottom of the dubious land deal, a hated property developer is beheaded and some valuable historical swords go missing. Can Barnaby and Jones trace the crimes back to Midsomer and identify the killer?

Guest stars include Brian Capron, Mark Gatiss, Lucy Cohu, Neil Dudgeon, Tim McInnerny, Janet Suzman and Saskia Reeves, with Jane Wymark as Joyce Barnaby, Kirsty Dillon as DC Gail Stephens and Barry Jackson as Dr Bullard.

The two-hour film, “The Sword of Guillaume”, saw the cast and production team leave their base in the Home Counties to film in Brighton.

Says John Nettles: “We filmed in one of the hottest weeks of last summer and it was great to be in Brighton, working along the seafront for a change. My old friend Brian Capron plays our dodgy mayor Dave Hicks and we had a great time together and filming at places like the Royal Pavilion.

“I also met some of the real council dignitaries and we all had ice cream cones by the sea. All the regular Midsomer team enjoyed indulging in some sea air, and I think that sense of fun comes across in the episode, despite some of the gruesome and deadly plot twists.”

Adds John: “We had a previous episode set in Snowdonia and I think it’s good to see Barnaby thrust into a new location occasionally, away from his cosy home in Causton. But the trip to Brighton was only a one-off and it’s not long before Barnaby is dragged back to the villages of middle England where he belongs!“

Filming on the 13th series of MIDSOMER MURDERS continues until the summer and further episodes are planned for transmission on ITV throughout 2010.

MIDSOMER MURDERS: “The Sword of Guillaume” is written by Michael Aitkens, directed by Renny Rye and the producer is Brian True-May. The drama is made by Bentley Productions, part of the All3Media Group, for ITV1.

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Midsomer Murders: The Sword of Guillaume

Midsomer Murders goes on a trip to the seaside at Brighton

Starring John Nettles, Jason Hughes, Brian Capron, Mark Gatiss, Neil Dudgeon, Saskia Reeves and Jane Wymark