Midsomer Murders Comes to the Stage — But What Secrets Are Waiting in Badger’s Drift?

The world premiere of Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift will take place at The Arts Theatre Cambridge from 21–25 April 2026.

Based on the book by Caroline Graham, The Killings at Badger’s Drift, and the television series Midsomer Murders produced by Bentley Productions for ITV in association with All3Media International, the stage adaptation is written and directed by Guy Unsworth.

For the first time, Inspector Barnaby and Sergeant Troy will take to the stage, played by Daniel Casey and James Bradwell.

Daniel Casey originally played Sergeant Troy in the ITV series, and his recent theatre credits include Cluedo (UK Tour), Yes, Prime Minister (Theatr Clwyd) and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (National Theatre). James Bradwell is known on screen for Bridgerton and has appeared on stage in The Beautiful Future is Coming (Traverse, Bristol Old Vic), The Garden of Words (Park Theatre), and Not Yet Midnight (Royal Court).

The residents of Midsomer are played by a multi-roling ensemble including Nathalie Barclay, Chandrika Chevli, John Dougall, Julie Legrand, Rupert Sadler, Chris Agha and Rhîan Crowley McLean, bringing to life a village filled with secrets, rivalries and suspicion.

When well-loved spinster Emily Simpson is found dead in the village of Badger’s Drift, her friend Lucy Bellringer refuses to believe it was an accident. DCI Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy are called in to investigate, uncovering hidden passions, long-buried secrets and deadly rivalries.

Caroline Graham said of the adaptation that it is “fast paced and witty” with “bizarre murders and a beautiful setting,” adding she is delighted to see the story brought to the stage.

A spokesperson for the television producers and All3Media International said they are delighted the much-loved detective drama can now also reach theatre audiences, while John Nettles, the original Inspector Barnaby, shared his excitement at seeing the story come to life on stage.

Performances run Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets start from £23.50.

From a theatre-goer’s perspective, this marks the first time the world of Midsomer Murders has been fully realised on stage, bringing its distinctive mix of charm, mystery and dark secrets into a live setting.

Now then… this is exactly the sort of village I approach with a little bit of caution and a lot of curiosity.

Badger’s Drift might look like the picture of calm — the sort of place where nothing ever really happens — but we all know how these stories go. One moment it’s polite conversation and cups of tea… the next, something’s not quite right, and suddenly everyone’s watching everyone else.

Emily Simpson’s death is just the beginning. It’s the sort of moment that ripples through a place like this, where friendships are long, memories are longer, and not everything has been left in the past where it belongs.

And with Barnaby and Troy stepping onto the stage, there’s nowhere to hide from it. No screen between you and the suspects. No distance. Just a room full of people, each with their own version of the truth.

I do like that, you know. Theatre has a way of making you lean in, listen harder, notice the things you might otherwise miss. A glance, a hesitation, a line delivered just a fraction too carefully… and suddenly you’re part of the investigation yourself.

And in a village like this, I wouldn’t trust anyone too quickly.

Not even the ones who smile the most.

In fact… I’ve started looking at my own neighbours a little differently after this one. You think you know someone, don’t you? Then suddenly you’re noticing how often they take the bins out at unusual times, or how they always seem to know what’s going on before anyone else…

I’ve got my eye on number 14, I’ll just say that. Far too cheerful for my liking.

I’ll be keeping a close eye on this one as it makes its way to Cambridge… though if I’m delivering post to Badger’s Drift, I might just leave it at the gate and make a swift exit. Just to be safe.

LISTINGS INFORMATION
Venue: The Arts Theatre Cambridge, 6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge, CB2 3PJ
Dates
: Tue 21 – Sat 25 Apr 2026
Performance schedule and ticket price
Tue – Sat 7.30pm
Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets from £23.50
Box Office:
:
01223 503333 / www.artstheatre.co.uk

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Who Is Andrew “The Guvnor” of Theatre Village? (As delivered by Grace Hatchell, 2nd Act Couriers, First Class & Slightly Nosy Service) Now then… if you’ve spent any time wandering through Theatre Village, you’ll have felt it. That hum. That buzz. That sense that somewhere, behind the curtain, someone’s pulling the strings, brewing the tea, and making sure the spotlight actually turns on. That, my lovely lot, would be Andrew. Or as I’ve taken to calling him… The Guvnor. Not in a scary, “don’t cross him” sort of way—no, no. More in a “quietly building an empire while everyone else is still reading the programme” kind of way. I’ve seen him, you know. Not always in plain sight—he’s not one for centre stage—but always there. Watching. Tweaking. Thinking. Probably got about ten ideas bubbling away at once, and another five already halfway out the door. Theatre Village didn’t just appear overnight, you see. It’s been stitched together bit by bit, like one of those proper handmade costumes—threaded with passion, a bit of cheek, and a genuine love for the stage. Not the flashy, red carpet side of theatre… but the real stuff. The fringe. The underdogs. The ones pouring their hearts out in tiny venues with dodgy lighting and big dreams. That’s where Andrew’s eye is. He’s got a knack for spotting something special before the crowd catches on. A show tucked away upstairs. A performer giving it everything. A story that deserves to be heard. And instead of just nodding along like the rest of us, he builds a whole blooming platform for it. And let me tell you—this village? It’s not just for show. It’s growing. Expanding. Streets being built, doors opening, new voices moving in. He’s not just writing about theatre… he’s creating a place for it to live. Bit clever, that. Now, he won’t say it himself—far too modest—but there’s graft behind it. Late nights. Early mornings. Probably a fair few “what am I doing?” moments along the way (haven’t we all, eh?). But he keeps going. Keeps building. Keeps believing there’s room for more stories, more voices, more magic. And I like that. Because in a world where it’s easy to shout about the biggest shows with the biggest budgets, Andrew’s quietly making sure the smaller ones don’t get lost in the post. (And trust me, as a postwoman, I take that very seriously.) So if you ever find yourself wandering through Theatre Village, just remember—you might not see him straight away… but The Guvnor’s there. Somewhere between the lines, behind the scenes, keeping the whole place ticking along nicely. And if you listen carefully… you might just hear the next big idea being scribbled down. Now then— I’ve got letters to deliver, gossip to gather, and probably a biscuit waiting for me somewhere. See you round the Village. — Grace

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