Midsomer Murders: Series 1

1997
5 episodes
1h 30m

Series 1 of Midsomer Murders premiered on March 23, 1997 and has 5 episodes, from "The Killings at Badger's Drift" to "Death in Disguise". The last episode aired on May 6, 1998.

Where to watch Midsomer Murders

In the United States, you can stream Midsomer Murders on fuboTV, YouTube TV, Acorn TV and BritBox. It is also free on The CW, Hoopla, Fawesome and The Roku Channel. You can also buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. It is on streaming services in 46 countries.

Where to watch

Episodes

Episode 1The Killings at Badger's DriftAired March 23, 1997
An elderly woman is found dead in her cottage and DCI Tom Barnaby is convinced the death is not down to natural causes
- 1h 42m
- Directed by Jeremy Silberston
- Written by Anthony Horowitz and Caroline Graham
Guest stars
- Renée Asherson Emily Simpson
- Elizabeth Spriggs Iris Rainbird
- Jonathan Firth Michael Lacey
- Emily Mortimer Katherine Lacey
- Selina Cadell Phyllis Cadell
- Richard Cant Dennis Rainbird
- Rosalie Crutchley Lucy Bellringer
- Bill Wallis Dr. Trevor Lessiter
Episode 2Written in BloodAired March 22, 1998
Gerald Hadleigh, secretary of a writers' circle, is found battered to death the morning after the group's meeting with best-selling novelist (and former psycho-therapist) Max Jennings. Gerald did not want to invite Max to Midsomer Worthy, and he seemed apprehensive about the visit.Barnaby's investigations show that Gerald was a man of mystery - he had no National Insurance number, no family, and no marriage certficate to go with his wedding photographs. And it seems he had a mysterious woman visitor on the night of his death... then Max Jennings goes missing and is found dead.
- 1h 42m
- Directed by Jeremy Silberston
- Written by Anthony Horowitz and Caroline Graham
Guest stars
- Joanna David Amy Lyddiard
- David Troughton Miles King
- Jane Booker Laura Hutton
- Robert Swann Gerald Hadleigh
- Una Stubbs Selina Jennings
- Daniel Newman Tom Carter
- John Bardon Mr. Belgrove
- Paul Putner Policeman 2
Episode 3Death of a Hollow ManAired March 29, 1998
The body of Agnes Gray, a woman who loved only animals, is found in the river - but she did not drown. And then her cousin Esslyn Carmichael is tricked into killing himself on stage during an amateur production of the murder mystery Amadeus. Barnaby has to get to grips with clues which include adultery, dramatic ambition, stolen religious art, and large donations to animal charities, before unmasking a killer who proves to be mad.Meanwhile, love begins to blossom between Cully Barnaby and Nico Bentley, one of the cast of Amadeus...
- 1h 42m
- Directed by Jeremy Silberston
- Written by Caroline Graham
Guest stars
- Angela Pleasence Doris Winstanley
- Janine Duvitski Dierdre Tibbs
- Debra Stephenson Kitty Carmichael
- Bernard Hepton Harold Winstanley
- Sonya Walger Becky Smith
- Nicholas Le Prevost Esslyn Carmichael
- Sarah Badel Rosa Carmichael
- Neil Conrich Constable Angel
Episode 4Faithful Unto DeathAired April 22, 1998
A craft centre in the old mill at Morton Fendle is losing money. Several locals have invested in the business and believe they have been swindled by Alan Hollingsworth, the man behind it. When Hollingsworth's glamorous wife Simone goes missing, Barnaby believes she has been kidnapped and puts Hollingsworth under observation. However, Hollingsworth evades the police, carrying a bundle of cash, and a woman neighbour who follows him to his rendez-vous is killed in a bizarre road accident. Then Hollingsworth is found dead, and Simone turns up alive. Barnaby guesses she and a friend faked the kidnapping, but he can't prove it.
- 1h 42m
- Directed by Baz Taylor
- Written by Douglas Watkinson and Caroline Graham
Guest stars
- Eleanor Summerfield Elfrida Molfrey
- David Daker Harry Vellacott
- Peter Jones Bunny Dawlish
- Roger Allam Alan Hollingsworth
- Tessa Peake-Jones Sarah Lawton
- Sophie Stanton Brenda Buckley
- Paul Brooke Nigel Anderson
- Rosalind Ayres Doreen Anderson
Episode 5Death in DisguiseAired May 6, 1998
At a local New Age commune (fancifully called the Lodge of the Golden Windhorse) William Carter is found dead with a broken neck, lying at the bottom of a staircase. Barnaby and Troy have to decide whether the death was an accident or murder.
- 1h 41m
- Directed by Baz Taylor
- Written by Douglas Watkinson and Caroline Graham
Guest stars
- Judy Cornwell May Cuttle
- Jon Glover Interviewer
- Stephen Moyer Christopher Wainwright
- Michael Feast Ian Craigie
- Anna Bolt Suhami / Sylvie Gamelin
- Mary Healey Mrs. Cook
- Geoffrey Beevers Newscaster
- Diane Bull Heather Beavers