Post by RitaLittlewood on Feb 11, 2009 18:14:39 GMT
From the Daily Mail:
John Nettles hands in his police badge after solving 200 Midsomer Murders
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:58 PM on 11th February 2009
John Nettles is retiring from Midsomer Murders after 12 years on the beat.
Nettles, who has clocked up 65 episodes as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, is set to leave the show at the end of next year.
ITV have commissioned the programme until 2012 at least, and have vowed to continue despite Nettles’ departure.
Nettles is due to appear in two more series, with his last turn as Barnaby to be broadcast in 2011.
He said: ‘It’s the end of an era for me and while I’m very sad to be handing in Barnaby’s police badge, he has solved nearly 200 murders, which I think meets the target of modern policing.’
ITV drama commissioning director Laura Mackie told Broadcast magazine: ‘John has been instrumental in creating a much loved character and a hugely successful long running series for ITV.
‘He will missed by us all and Barnaby will be fondly remembered as we move forward with the show, but we hope to work with John on other projects for the channel.’
Producer Brian True-May added: ‘The brand of Midsomer is so strong that I am confident of its continuing success with a new actor.’
It is not yet known if Nettles' character will be killed off, perhaps leaving Detective Sergeant Ben Jones (played by Jason Hughes) having to solve his boss' own murder.
The role of Bergerac made Nettles a household name and launched his TV career
The 65-year-old has a daughter from his first marriage to Joyce in 1966.
He married Cathryn Sealey in 1995 and the couple live in a converted barn outside Stratford-upon-Avon.
He regularly travels to Jersey to visit his daughter, Emma, who is in the island's civilian back-up force for the police.
Nettles studied philosophy and history at Southampton University and acted in drama society productions.
He had intended to become a teacher but was recruited by the Royal Court theatre after being spotted by an agent.
He took small parts there before moving to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Nettles appeared in the BBC sitcom The Liver Birds as Paul in the early 70s, and as Dr Ian McKenzie in the series A Family At War.
He has also narrated several documentaries, including Airport, Disaster and Violent Planet.
John Nettles hands in his police badge after solving 200 Midsomer Murders
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:58 PM on 11th February 2009
John Nettles is retiring from Midsomer Murders after 12 years on the beat.
Nettles, who has clocked up 65 episodes as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, is set to leave the show at the end of next year.
ITV have commissioned the programme until 2012 at least, and have vowed to continue despite Nettles’ departure.
Nettles is due to appear in two more series, with his last turn as Barnaby to be broadcast in 2011.
He said: ‘It’s the end of an era for me and while I’m very sad to be handing in Barnaby’s police badge, he has solved nearly 200 murders, which I think meets the target of modern policing.’
ITV drama commissioning director Laura Mackie told Broadcast magazine: ‘John has been instrumental in creating a much loved character and a hugely successful long running series for ITV.
‘He will missed by us all and Barnaby will be fondly remembered as we move forward with the show, but we hope to work with John on other projects for the channel.’
Producer Brian True-May added: ‘The brand of Midsomer is so strong that I am confident of its continuing success with a new actor.’
It is not yet known if Nettles' character will be killed off, perhaps leaving Detective Sergeant Ben Jones (played by Jason Hughes) having to solve his boss' own murder.
The role of Bergerac made Nettles a household name and launched his TV career
The 65-year-old has a daughter from his first marriage to Joyce in 1966.
He married Cathryn Sealey in 1995 and the couple live in a converted barn outside Stratford-upon-Avon.
He regularly travels to Jersey to visit his daughter, Emma, who is in the island's civilian back-up force for the police.
Nettles studied philosophy and history at Southampton University and acted in drama society productions.
He had intended to become a teacher but was recruited by the Royal Court theatre after being spotted by an agent.
He took small parts there before moving to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Nettles appeared in the BBC sitcom The Liver Birds as Paul in the early 70s, and as Dr Ian McKenzie in the series A Family At War.
He has also narrated several documentaries, including Airport, Disaster and Violent Planet.
