When his last episode 'Fit for Murder' aired on 2 February 2011, Nettles had appeared in 81 episodes. In February 2009 it was announced that Nettles had decided to leave Midsomer Murders after the conclusion of series 13 in July 2010. The show is based on Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby book series, originally adapted by Anthony Horowitz.įrom the pilot episode in 1997 until 2 February 2011 the lead character, DCI Tom Barnaby, was portrayed by John Nettles OBE. Midsomer Murders is a British television detective drama that has aired on ITV since 1997. List of episodes of the British TV drama series