Guides · Getting Started
New to Midsomer Murders?
Nearly three decades on air, two DCI Barnabys, and more than 140 episodes. Here's everything you need to know before you press play.
Streaming availability may change — check Acorn TV for current availability. Spoiler-free throughout.
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Midsomer Murders follows police detectives investigating cases across the fictional English county of Midsomer — picture-postcard villages hiding an astonishing body count. Most episodes are self-contained, feature-length mysteries with a new village and a fresh cast of suspects each time.
| Setting | The fictional county of Midsomer, including the market town of Causton and its surrounding villages |
| Format | Feature-length, largely self-contained mysteries |
| First aired | 1997 |
| Based on | Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby novels |
| US rating | TV-14 on Acorn TV |
The pilot, adapting Caroline Graham's first novel. It introduces DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Troy, and sets the template the whole show is built on.
Buy Season 1 on DVD →DCI John Barnaby's first case, and a natural second entry point. You don't need to know Tom Barnaby's years — the episode explains the handover itself.
Buy Series 14 on DVD →The original DCI Barnaby, grounded by home life with his wife, Joyce, and daughter, Cully. His final case, “Fit for Murder,” closes out Series 13.
Tom's cousin takes over the case load, working alongside his wife Sarah. He'd actually appeared once before in the show, as an entirely different one-off character, back in series four.
Each episode is a self-contained mystery, so it's easy to jump in anywhere — no need to watch in order.
Where to watch in the US
Acorn TV
25 series · Subscription required · Check current price at signup
Start free trial →Streaming availability in the US can change. Check the linked service for the current season and episode selection.
“The Killings at Badger's Drift.” It introduces DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Troy and is the best starting point for most new viewers.
Yes. Begin with Series 14, Episode 1, “Death in the Slow Lane.” The cases remain easy to follow even if you haven't watched Tom Barnaby's years.
Yes, they're cousins. John succeeds Tom as lead detective after Tom's retirement at the end of Series 13.
No. Each episode is a self-contained mystery. Watching in order adds context — family life, sergeant turnover — but isn't essential.
No, it's fictional. The show films in real towns and villages across southern England, which gives Midsomer its convincing sense of place.
25 series are currently available on Acorn TV in the US, spanning more than 140 episodes. A 26th series has been commissioned but hadn't yet aired as of this writing.
Acorn TV carries the extensive Midsomer Murders collection in the US, with 25 series currently listed. Check the current listing for season availability. Selected seasons and a dedicated channel are also free with ads on Pluto TV.
Yes, on seven novels by Caroline Graham published between 1987 and 2004. The show has long since outpaced its source material.
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