The new season of Midsomer Murders will begin on ITV later this month.

Neil Dudgeon returns as DCI Barnaby, joined by newcomer Nick Hendrix (Marcella, The Crown) as DS Jamie Winter.

Hendrix commented earlier this year: “I’m genuinely thrilled to join this bastion of British TV. It’s a real privilege to be part of a hugely successful and much loved show and I am looking forward to stepping into the wonderful world of Midsomer.”

The long-running crime drama’s nineteenth season begins at 8pm on Sunday 18 December on ITV with ‘The Village that Rose from the Dead’, guest starring Outnumbered actor Hugh Dennis.

The official synopsis reads: “The ghost village of Little Auburn has been abandoned since the war. When a young man is found murdered during its grand reopening, DCI Barnaby and DS Winter must unravel a sinister web of lies from both past and present in order to catch the killer.”

Returning cast members alongside Dudgeon include Manjinder Virk as pathologist Dr Kam Karimore and Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby.

The eighteenth season of Midsomer Murders aired earlier this year on ITV and averaged a consolidated audience of 6.4 million with a share of 25% – its highest share since 2009.

Buy the complete Season 18 box set on Amazon here.

Other storylines in Season 19 will feature an extreme Neighbourhood Watch, a cricket festival and a rabbit and guinea pig show.

Are you looking forward to Season 19? Let us know below…