Midsomer Murders (1997–2011) Cast Then and Now | The John Nettles Era

Midsomer Murders is one of British television’s most enduring and iconic crime dramas, first airing in 1997. This video looks back at the unforgettable John Nettles era, spanning from 1997 to 2011, when Nettles portrayed the original DCI Tom Barnaby. During this period, the series gained a devoted following with its idyllic village settings, intricate murder plots, and a revolving door of memorable guest stars — many of whom went on to become household names. In this retrospective, we revisit the main cast and notable guest stars who appeared during the first 13 series — from familiar faces like Jane Wymark and Daniel Casey to rising stars such as Orlando Bloom and Henry Cavill. You’ll see how their careers evolved, what they’ve done since their time in Midsomer, and, in some cases, remember those who are sadly no longer with us. Please note: 👉 This video covers only the John Nettles era (1997–2011) and does not include cast members from the later episodes led by Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby. 👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell for more classic British TV retrospectives. ⸻ 🟩 Main Cast (1997–2011) John Nettles Era John Nettles – DCI Tom Barnaby Jane Wymark – Joyce Barnaby Barry Jackson – Dr. George Bullard Jason Hughes – DS Ben Jones Laura Howard – Cully Barnaby Daniel Casey – Sgt. Gavin Troy Kirsty Dillon – DC Gail Stephens John Hopkins – Sergeant Dan Scott ⸻ 🟦 Recurring Roles & Guest Stars (1997–2011) Sam Hazeldine – Simon Dixon Toby Jones – Dan Peterson David Bamber – John Starkey Samantha Bond – Suzanna Chambers Maggie Steed – Rosemary Furman Clare Holman – Sue Tutt Neil Dudgeon – Daniel Bolt Kevin McNally – Orville Tudway Beth Goddard – Wendy Smythe-Webster Harriet Walter – Margaret Winstanley Haydn Gwynne – Jennifer Carter Frances Barber – Constance Fielding Una Stubbs – Selina Jennings Simon Callow – Dr. Wellow June Whitfield – Peggy Alder Christopher Villiers – David Whitely Nicholas Farrell – John Merrill Anna Wilson-Jones – Marianna Hartley Sara Stewart – Carolyn Armitage Josette Simon – Samantha Flint Benjamin Whitrow – Hugo Balcombe Sarah Alexander – Fliss Inkpen-Thomas Hugh Bonneville – Hugh Barton Robert Hardy – Robert Cavendish Timothy West – Marcus Devere Honor Blackman – Isobel Hewitt Leslie Phillips – Godfrey Teal Lynda Bellingham – Jane Willows George Baker – Jack Magwood Donald Sinden – Colonel Henry Hammond Richard Briers – Stephen Wentworth Nigel Davenport – William Smithers Hannah Gordon – Bella Devere Wendy Craig – Victoria Bartlett John Sessions – Barrett Filby Jim Carter – Nathan Green Keith Barron – Alan Clifford Owen Teale – Little Mal Kirby Joss Ackland – Sir Freddy Butler Simon Williams – Guy Sandys Rosalind Ayres – Doreen Anderson Frank Windsor – George Meakham Peter Capaldi – Laurence Barker Siân Phillips – Lady Annabel Butler Phil Davis – Gary Cooper Phoebe Nicholls – Laura Smythe-Webster Stella Gonet – Grace Maplin Niamh Cusack – Penny Galsworthy Philip Jackson – Daniel Snape Emily Mortimer – Katherine Lacey Jan Ravens – Sarah Wroath Freddie Jones – Benbow Julia McKenzie – Ruby Wilmott James Cosmo – Jack ‘Axeman’ McKinley Richard Lintern – Martin Spellman Sian Brooke – Christine Turner Michelle Fairley – Iris Holman Tim McInnerny – Hugh Dalgleish James Bolam – Ron Pringle Prunella Scales – Eleanor Bunsall George Cole – Lionel Hicks Olivia Colman – Bernice Peter Davison – Nicky Frazer Lesley Manville – Phoebe Archbold Phyllis Logan – Kate Merrill Imelda Staunton – Christine Cooper Celia Imrie – Louise August Larry Lamb – Melvyn Stockard Gemma Jones – Maisie Gooch Henry Cavill – Simon Mayfield ⸻ 🟨 Additional Guest Stars (1997–2011) Michael Angelis – Nicky Harding Roger Allam – Alan Hollingsworth Anton Rodgers – Lord James Chetwood Wanda Ventham – Romany Rose Brigit Forsyth – Estelle Balliol Gwyneth Strong – Katie Soper Suzi Quatro – Mimi Clifton Jenny Agutter – Isobel Chettham James Fox – Sir Michael Fielding Phil Daniels – Teddy Molloy Victoria Hamilton – Hilary Inkpen Orlando Bloom – Peter Drinkwater Liza Goddard – Marion Bell Rik Mayall – David Roper Debra Stephenson – Kitty Carmichael Belinda Lang – Elspeth Inkpen-Thomas Amanda Mealing – Sally Boulter Thelma Barlow – Mrs Beverley Anna Maxwell Martin – Arabella Heywood Tom Ellis – Lee Smeeton Fair Use Notice This video may include copyrighted material used under the fair use doctrine (Section 107 of the Copyright Act) for purposes like criticism, commentary, and education.