John Nettles, the charming detective DCI Tom Barnaby from the beloved series *Midsomer Murders*, has a soft spot for one particularly grisly scene among the many unusual deaths fictional Midsomer has witnessed. His all-time favorite crime involves a rather creative murder: a victim meeting their end by a pitchfork through a deckchair. This standout moment appeared in Season 8, Episode 3, titled 'Orchis Fatalis'.
Nettles reflected on this memorable episode, which entwines a tale of illicit orchid smuggling with murder and intense emotions. He noted the recurring motif of garden tools as murder weapons in the series, even pointing out that Orlando Bloom's character faced a similar fate, impaled by a pitchfork in another fan-favorite episode.
Despite the bloodshed and chaos Midsomer often faces, fans worldwide find it oddly comforting. Nettles himself is astonished by the show's global reach, mentioning how it has a dedicated 24/7 channel in the United States. However, he admits that the repetitiveness of the murder scenarios has made him tired of watching the show, preferring to focus on new ventures rather than revisiting the familiar tropes he helped to create.
As for the future, don't expect to see Nettles in the upcoming *Bergerac* reboot. Although fans hold a special place for him from this earlier detective role, Nettles straightforwardly dismissed appearing as the lead, playfully citing age as the reason. Despite wishing the project well, he's content watching from the sidelines, confident in his decision to leave certain roles in the past.
Feb, 20 2025