Midsomer Murders' Fleur Perkins star spills secret to show's huge success 27 years later

Midsomer Murders returns to TV

Midsomer Murders actress Annette Badland, who plays chief pathologist Fleur Perkins on the acclaimed ITV drama, previously shared her insights on why she thinks the programme has been such a success for over 25 years. In an exclusive 2022 interview with Express.co.uk, she opened up about the compelling and somewhat bizarre reasons it is still such a hit with fans.

Having joined Midsomer Murders in its 20th season in 2019, the 73-year-old star saw the popular whodunit celebrate its Silver Jubilee on ITV two years ago. When questioned about why the show has endured for as long as it has, Annette offered her considered view.

"I think it's quite quirky and English because the deaths are often extraordinary and the fans like that," she revealed, before adding: "There's humour and the calibre of actors they usually have on it is great - all the guests are tremendous."

She went on to explain: "And the English countryside, you know, and the scenery and the houses we use; that gives it enormous international appeal, but I think it's great for the domestic market, too.

"Plus, it's a film-length piece - two hours long! You get a whole big meal that you get to relish without it being broken up into small chunks. You see the whole piece, which is great."

Don't miss...
Midsomer Murders star defends 'irreplaceable' fan favourite character [EXCLUSIVE]
ITV's Midsomer Murders fans left 'distracted' over major change to key character [LATEST]
ITV Midsomer Murders fans issue the same complaint minutes into new episode [NEWS]

Annette Badland plays Fleur Perkins in Midsomer Murders (Image: ITV)

Elsewhere in the interview, Anette was candid about how her character Fleur came to be conceptualised, providing an intriguing reason for why she believes she "won't be replaced".

Sharing her thoughts on her role, she divulged: "It's brilliant to play an older woman who's got a very interesting private life and who is very good at her job and can send the blokes up and intrigue them and things."

She added: "It's terrific, you know, and there should be more - and they exist in real life - characters like that, really."

Annette Badland also stars in Doctor Who and Outlander (Image: GETTY)

She then explained how the producers came up with the character of Fleur, recalling: "When the producer asked me to do it, they said that one time the person playing the pathologist had been ill and they didn't know how to get around it when they were filming.

"Then they said, 'Oh, I know, we'll have them send a fax through with the details and Barnaby can read it out.'

"And he said, 'I wanted a new character who could not be replaced by a fax machine.'

"So Fleur certainly can't be replaced by a fax machine!" Annette concluded with a laugh.

She often shares screen space with DCI John Barnaby star Neil Dudgeon and admitted she enjoys her role immensely.

window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20240709.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Annette Badland stars opposite Neil Dudgeon and Nick Hendrix (Image: ITV)

Annette has portrayed many memorable characters over the years, including the tough landlady Mae at Richmond Football Club's local pub in Apple TV's award-winning series Ted Lasso.

She also played Babe Smith in EastEnders until 2017, where her character was ousted from The Queen Vic after cursing her family.

In addition to her role in Outlander as Mrs. Glenna Fitzgibbons during the first season, she also played the villainous slitheen Margaret Blaine in the BBC's Doctor Who.

Don't miss Midsomer Murders, returning tonight at 8pm on ITV.

Midsomer Murders' Fleur Perkins star spills secret to show's huge success 27 years later

Midsomer Murders' Fleur Perkins star spills secret to show's huge success 27 years later

Midsomer Murders' Fleur Perkins star spills secret to show's huge success 27 years later

Midsomer Murders' Fleur Perkins star spills secret to show's huge success 27 years later

Midsomer Murders' Fleur Perkins star spills secret to show's huge success 27 years later