Midsomer Murders star has 'big shoes to fill' as he opens up on replacing detective

Midsomer Murders actor Daniel Casey is making a return to the drama, but in a very different way. Daniel played DS Gavin Troy in the hit ITV series alongside John Nettles, who played the lead detective, Tom Barnaby.

However, the actor is now set to play DCI Tom Barnaby in a new theatrical adaptation of The Killings at Badger's Drift. When speaking about his new role, Daniel said "it's a massive promotion" and that he has "big shoes to fill".

When speaking to the Northern Echo about his new role and the advice John Nettles gave him, the actor said, "Barnaby and Troy had an almost father/son, mentor/pupil relationship, and that is very much like my relationship with John.

"When he learned that I was taking on the role in the play, he said, 'Well, he's learned at the feet of the master.'"

He went on to explain that John had told him to "be true to himself," and that is how he has approached playing the part of Tom Barnaby.

Daniel and John starred together in the pilot episode in 1996 until 2003, when Daniel decided to leave.

"I spent all those years standing next to him, watching and listening, so hopefully I have absorbed a bit of his magic," he recalled.

"It's a bit daunting, because his are big shoes to fill, but I'm really excited about doing it."

The Killings at Badger's Drift was Caroline Graham's first book and the basis for the first Midsomer Murders episode.

The play follows DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy as they investigate the death of well-loved spinster Emily Simpson in the village of Badger's Drift.

The synopsis for the play teases: "A night of murder and mystery, full of theatricality and intrigue, with the central partnership of Barnaby and Troy, a whole host of English eccentrics and this real dark undercurrent of secrets and lies."

Daniel's character was not replaced by a single person. His character was written out of the show, and after a series of other sergeants, John Nettles was eventually replaced by Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby in 2011

Midsomer Murders is available to watch on ITVX.