Inside the life of Midsomer Murders' Jane Wymark, from famous family to 50-year tragedy

Midsomer Murders returns to TV

Midsomer Murders wouldn’t have been the same without Joyce Barnaby but what is actress Jane Wymark up to now, 13 years after leaving?

First known for portraying Morwenna Chynoweth Whitworth in Poldark, actress Jane Wymark went on to star as DCI John Barnaby’s (played by John Nettles) wife Joyce Barnaby.

She remained in the show for a whopping 14 years before making her exit alongside DCI Barnaby in 2011, with fans still curious to know more about Wymark and where she is now.

Famous family of Midsomer Murders’ Jane Wymark 

It wasn’t too much of a surprise that the 71-year-old entered the world of acting, given that she was surrounded by loved ones already cemented in the industry.

Not only was her mum writer and playwright Olwen Wymark, her dad was actor Patrick Wymark who was known for playing John Wilder in the twin drama series The Plane Makers and The Power Game.

Jane Wymark alongside co-star John Nettles (Image: ITV)

Midsomer Murders actress Jane Wymark's parents, actor Patrick Wymark and playwright Olwen Wymark. (Image: GETTY)

It was this role as Wilder that earned the actor a 1965 TV BAFTA for Best Actor.

On the big screen, Wymark featured in Operation Crossbow, Repulsion and Children Of The Damned, and did plenty of theatre work in shows like John Webster’s The Duchess Of Malfi.

Olwen, on the other hand, published numerous plays and was probably best known for her 1977 drama Find Me which focused on mental health.

Jane is one of four siblings with her younger brother Tristram also an actor, appearing in shows like EastEnders, Call The Midwife and alongside his sister in an episode of Midsomer Murders.

Fans will best remember him though for portraying General Thursday in the drama Pennyworth.

"I knew acting was a stupid profession to go into, but when you hang around theatres all your life, it imprints," she told Birmingham Live.

Family tragedy 

The Wymark family was left devastated in 1970 when Jane’s dad Patrick suddenly died of a heart attack at the age of 44.

He was in a hotel room in Melbourne, Australia, at the time as he was due to star in the play Sleuth at the Comedy Theatre just a few days later.

Midsomer Murders stars, including Joyce Barnaby actress Jane Wymark on the right. (Image: GETTY) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Jane’s mum died decades later at the age of 81 in 2013 with the star explaining that life “wasn’t easy” for her after her dad’s death.

She explained to Ham and High: “She had to recreate herself as a career person having been a stay-at-home mother.

"She had a busy, successful life and was very much loved by everyone who knew her.

"She was a good mother and as a teacher, a lot of people benefited from meeting her."

Life after Midsomer Murders 

Jane had told Birmingham Live in 2010 that following her time on the how, she planned to go travelling with her husband diplomat Paul Howson who had been working in Shanghai.

Fast forward to today and the actress works as a facilitator at The London Literary Salon, which, according to its website, builds “a community around the study of literature and ideas”.

In addition to this, she runs drama workshops for schools as part of the National Theatre’s education department and is a tutor at the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama.

Midsomer Murders is available to watch on ITV and ITVX.

Inside the life of Midsomer Murders' Jane Wymark, from famous family to 50-year tragedy

Inside the life of Midsomer Murders' Jane Wymark, from famous family to 50-year tragedy

Inside the life of Midsomer Murders' Jane Wymark, from famous family to 50-year tragedy

Inside the life of Midsomer Murders' Jane Wymark, from famous family to 50-year tragedy

Inside the life of Midsomer Murders' Jane Wymark, from famous family to 50-year tragedy