Dressed to Kill is the fourth episode of the twenty-third series of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders and originally aired on January 2, 2023.
Synopsis[]
Parish chairwoman Lois Springfield is found dead in a local theatre. The detectives assume it's because of her hostility toward a drag show being organised, but other motives are at play.
Plot[]
In Elverton-Cum-Latterly, Lois Springfield arrives at the theater. There are two events scheduled to go on at the same time. The Annual Dominoes Competition and the Drag Queen Extravaganza for charity. Malik and Evelyn are rehearsing on the stage. Lois is frustrated to see Drag clothes all over the other room. Malik screams for Nigel Bellamy to hurry up. "He says "Ladies, keep your wigs on." as he is in his dressing room putting on makeup. Malik yells "Forget it." "Two shakes of a tail feather," says Nigel. Lois brings out a box of the drag costumes and sets it on the stage.
Lois claps and says "Rehearsals going well I see?" "Such a Karen,' sneers Malik. Malik's phone dings. "Wonder whose calls you're hiding?" says Lois. "Wondering what business it is of yours?" replies Malik. "Do you need some help or shall we just give it up as a bad joke," asks Lois. "And just have your dominoes tournament. I don't think so. And anyway it's for charity. What's your problem, Lois?" Lois says "You, this- Men in women's clothing."
"Says the woman with the scowl... You can always strike a balance, Lois. Come as a drag king." says Malik. "I'd rather stick dominoes in the eyes." says Lois and walks out.
MURDER 1: Lois goes to the other room to set up for the dominoes tournament. She hears a noise. She walks down a hall and sees a feather boa on the floor. Lois looks up and says, "Do you never give up? I've said all I need to say. Actions have consequences." She gets stabbed with a Stiletto in the head.
Barnaby and Winter drive up. They look at the Drag Extravaganza sign. It shows a photo of Nigel Bellamy, a famous actor. "The revered stage and screen legend no less," says Winter. "Who squandered his talent on wine and women," replies Barnaby. He sees someone looking out the window above the theater. It is Rocco Templeton, who takes his pills and lays back in bed.
Barnaby walks in the freezer where Lois's dead body is propped up. She has the stiletto in her head and a wig and dress on and dominoes in her eyes. Pathologist Fleur Perkins says that the victim got a strong blow to the left temple. She won't know if it is the cause of death until she's back in the lab. The owner of the pub, Gill Templeton, and an employee, Chantelle Dawlish, found the body. There was a rehearsal going on for the show tomorrow. The actors are waiting in the bar. The killer dressed Lois up post-mortem, says Fleur, "No drag queen would put on makeup like she has on". Fleur says she was once part of a drag duo. She was Ava Heartburn. Her partner was Morgan Donor. He later became the Chief Health Administrator for Scotland.
Outside, Chantelle Dawlish is seated at a table and her boss Gill Templeton is with her. Chantalle came in for her shift at 11 and that's when she found Lois. Lois ran the local dry cleaners, Suds, Zaps and Zips. She was setting up for the domino tournament. Gill explains that every year the city council, led by Lois, picks a worthy cause and vote to fundraise for it. This year they are raising funds to get Gill's son to Florida for cancer treatment.
In the pub, Nigel is pouring beers. He introduces the others- "Gay man (Malik Payne), straight man (Shawn Dawlish), cisgender (Evelyn Hardy)." They all saw Lois. They were rehearsing until the lights went out. Shawn Dawlish is the electrician. Outside, Norinda Bellamy tries to get in to get her beer.
Upstairs, Gill tells Rocco he shouldn't be out of bed. He wants to know what's going on. Gill tells him Lois has been killed.
Barnaby asks Malik if it is significant that Lois was wearing drag. Malik tells him that he and Evelyn have been being trolled ever since they started working the event. Barnaby tells him they will need access to his social media account. Malik tells Barnaby that Evelyn's dad is an impresario in London. Malik says he wasn't exactly welcomed in the village. Lois didn't like Malik or the drag event. Dickie Dent, the local physiotherapist, disliked Lois. They were rivals in the domino competition.
Winter talks to Evelyn. She tells him that she is a female doing drag, which is her right. Drag is an art form. Lois disliked that. Evelyn tells Winter that Malik suggested Lois do drag. Lois replied she'd rather stick dominoes in her eyes. And Malik said it can be arranged. But he didn't mean it. Evelyn asks Winter if anyone has ever told him he has "perfect bone structure and buttocks like coconuts." Winter is flummoxed. "You'd make a gorgeous queen," says Evelyn. Winter backs out of the room.
Barnaby goes over speak to Dickie Dent. Dickie asks "what has the old harlot done now?" Dickie was out running during the time when Lois was killed. He didn't get along with Lois. They fell out about dominoes. They are on rival teams and Dickie was unhappy with the seedings.
Evelyn goes over to the Suds, Zaps, and Zips, Lois' dry cleaning business, and finds the store a mess and the word Thief written in washing powder on the floor.
At the police station, Winter says that the cancer clinic in Florida checks out. Lois' financials are in order, laundry and dry cleaning business doing well and she was chair of the city council. Winter tells Barnaby that Malik Payne threatened to put dominoes in Lois' eyes. The comments on Malik's social media were varied and not just from a troll. Mr. Payne was getting it from several directions- from blind prejudice to people feeling that "drag queens mock the heterosexual narrative and demean the feminine." Winter then asks about his annual review. Barnaby walks off.
Lucinda says it is so inconsiderate of Lois (to get killed). Lucinda was going to have it out with her about seedings. She gives Nigel a letter, which he opens and looks upset.
At the pathology lab, Fleur says that the stiletto was only used to incapacitate Lois. She died from asphyxiation from the corset. She had the breath squeezed out of her. Fleur also found a strip of cloth on a window at the pub. Winter comes in and says that dry cleaners has been vandalized.
Outside, Malik is working at a portable bar "From Expresso to Prosecco." Olivia Dent says she didn't think Malik would be open today after what happened to Lois. Malik says "The Show must go on. Besides, charity events don't pay the bills." Barnaby walks up and says Malik was heard to threaten Lois Springfield. Malik says "Handbags at ten paces. My tongue is my only weapon. Chances of me actually killing someone- way too messy. Far too much chance of me messing up my nails." Barnaby points to the table where the tickets are being sold. Olivia Dent says she is the treasurer on the village committee and a drama teacher. She tells Barnaby that Dickie is her husband. She doesn't play dominoes. She is hoping to put on a play with Nigel Bellamy to revive his Romeo. She is not involved in putting on the drag show. Barnaby asks Malik if he owns a pair of sparkly pink stilettos? Malik says no, but there are a couple in the prop room.
At the dry cleaners, Evelyn asks Barnaby if she is next? She works at the dry cleaners a few times a week. Lois tolerated Evelyn because she had little staff. Lois had a reputation for going through people's pockets. Barnaby finds a piece of paper with countries on it.
Shawn Dawlish comes in to show his daughter Chantelle costumes to wear at the drag show. She is very upset. She doesn't like her dad to cross dress in public.
Barnaby asks Winter to check for CCTV near the dry cleaners. Winter tells him that Tech traced the troll's mobile account to Rocco Templeton. He is trolling the people who are raising money for his treatment.
At From Expresso to Prosecco, Nigel shows up, "Game faces back on we've got rehearsal." Olivia asks Nigel how he is holding up and he hugs her. Olivia recites theatrical lines. Olivia asks Nigel if they can grab coffee later and go over some ideas for the play. He says maybe later.
At the pub Barnaby and Winter go to interview Rocco. He says he didn't hear anything. He had his headphones on. Barnaby asks about the online trolling and Rocco says he lost his phone weeks ago. Gill says she got him a new phone with a new number to reduce the amount of people who can call Rocco. He needs his rest. She is hoping there will be donations at the Drag Show to help with the trip to Florida. She says the clinic in Florida is one of a kind. Barnaby is worried about how Gill controls access to Rocco. She seems a little over the top.
At the theater, Shawn is showing his dresses. Evelyn asks which one he is going to wear. Malik asks what number he's going to do. Shawn says he can't sing. Evelyn is working on her dress which has electric eels attached. Barnaby and Winter come in and asks everyone if they recognize the piece of fabric that was caught on a window.
Outside the pub, Chantelle comes up to see Rocco. Gill says "what do you want?" Barnaby and Winter find Chantelle. Shawn had told them that the piece of fabric was from one of his shirts that Chantelle wears. Rocco says that Chantelle was coming to see him. Gill asks "Why on earth was she doing that?" Rocco says "Because we are seeing each other." Rocco and Chantelle hold hands. "NO NO NO" says Gill. She thinks Rocco is too sick to see anyone. Rocco says "I'm sick, but I'm not dead... yet." Chantelle says this is exactly why they didn't tell her. Chantelle had to break in to see Rocco. Gill keeps him locked in his bedroom all day, every day. Gill fires Chantelle and tells her to leave. Rocco tells his mom not to drive her away like she drove away his dad. In Rocco's bedroom, Barnaby is impressed with all of the trophies from sports he has won in the past. Gill kicks Barnaby out of Rocco's room. Barnaby asks her if she really locks Rocco in his room and she says it's just teen nonsense. What did Rocco mean about Gill being jealous of Lois? Gill says her ex walked out on her and there were rumors about him and Lois.
In Malik's room, he gets a ding on his phone. The text says "I know what you did. I will tell everyone...Unless...."
Nigel talks to Evelyn outside the theater. He tells her about a letter he received.
Gill locks Rocco's bedroom door. She then goes over to Dickie Dent's Physic clinic and she and Dickie hug.
Out on a road somewhere, Malik is looking around nervously. "Hello," he calls. A van comes up and almost hits him. He falls to the ground.
At the Barnaby home, Sarah asks about how Winter's annual assessment went. Barnaby says he dreads that managerial stuff. Sarah says she will be at the King's Arm later tonight. She bumped into Olivia Dent who was telling her all about a play she is doing with Nigel Bellamy next year.
At Malik's house, Barnaby and Winter ask if Malik saw who tried to run him down. Evelyn thinks this is about the show. Someone wants to stop it. 'We queens need to stand firm."
CCTV caught Lucinda Bellamy on camera breaking in to the Dry Cleaner. She said that whenever she took things there, there was always something missing. She also wasn't happy when Lois didn't ask her to be on her dominoes team. Barnaby has to charge her. Lucinda says as long as she's out of jail in time for the domino tournament.
Over at From Expresso to Prosecco, Malik is all dressed up in drag attire. Other drag queens turn up. The Domino team walks by. Malik offers Dickie a drink. He says her mouth will get him into trouble. Barnaby and Winter walk by. Malik asks Winter to collect donations at the Drag Extravaganza. Barnaby will watch the domino tournament.
Gill comes into Rocco's room and tells him to get ready. He says he is not going. She says he has to- "it's all about you." Rocco says no, "I never get a say in anything. One minute I'm too sick to do anything and now I'm well enough to go to this." Gill offers to invite Chantelle.
In the dressing room, Shawn is putting on mascara. Evelyn shows off her dress which has eels decorating it, lit up electrically. Olivia comes in and tells them to "Break a Leg."
At the theater, Sarah and Fleur show up wearing boas. Barnaby introduces them to Malik, stage name "Ophelia Crockett." Fleur introduces herself as Ava Heartburn. Gill, Rocco and Chantelle walk into the theater. There is no chair for Chantelle next to Rocco. Malik and Nigel ask Winter if he wants to do a number- perhaps "I shot the sheriff." Malik goes out on stage. He sings a song. Winter goes around collecting donations. Malik throws a feather boa at Winter and he puts it on.
MURDER 2: At the domino tournament, Nigel comes in to play while in drag. In the theater, Malik introduces Davina Delish (Shawn Dawlish). He makes jokes. In the dressing room, Evelyn gets dressed. Winter goes outside for a phone call. Davina tells everyone to "Remember- stop being a drag and always be a queen." Everyone cheers Davina. Then the lights go out. People run out of the building. Inside, Evelyn is found electrocuted.
Barnaby interviews Malik. He left London because his housemate accused him of theft. Now he is being blackmailed over it. Malik went to meet the blackmailer when he was almost run over. The phone sending Malik messages was pay as you go. If someone was blackmailing him, why would they try to run him over. They wouldn't.
Nigel is in the pub reciting Shakespeare and drinking. Barnaby asks about the altercation Nigel had with Evelyn yesterday. Nigel says he has been a pariah in the business for years. Evelyn convinced him to get back out there. They were planning a touring production of Romeo and Juliet. Nigel received a letter from Evelyn's father. He was prepared to fund them. Nigel choked and Evelyn was trying to convince him to go ahead with the production.
Gill tells Rocco that they have raised enough money and she's going to book the flights. Rocco doesn't want to go because of what happened to Evelyn. Rocco says he wants to see Chantelle. He asks his mom where his phone is. She says she has no idea. She locks his door.
Barnaby and Wilson discuss the case. Wilson says that in the texts the troll consistently misspells homophobia. Chantelle also misspells it. Barnaby and Wilson asks Chantelle about the trolling. She admits it. Chantelle said she wasn't OK with the Drag show before. Chantelle stole Rocco's phone too. Chantelle doesn't want her father up there for everyone to see. She doesn't want the snarky comments. She doesn't want everyone saying her mum left because Shawn was a cross dresser. Shawn says her mom left for another man. It will be up to Malik Payne as to whether he wants to press charges.
Rocco climbs out of his window and starts across the field and collapses. Olivia Dent calls for an ambulance. Barnaby comes by. Olivia goes with Barnaby to find Gill. She is making out with Dickie Dent in his office. "Dickie by name, Dickie by nature." Gill goes to Rocco and yells at Olivia for calling an ambulance. "What the hell did you do that for? How could you be so stupid?" Barnaby wants the paramedics to check him out, but Gill refuses. She says Rocco just needs rest. Olivia says she knew about Dickie's affair with Gill for ages. Barnaby asks Olivia about the production that Nigel was planning to do with Evelyn. Olivia says she didn't mind that they were doing a production together. Evelyn was so excited about it.
The Van that almost hit Malik was purchased by Dickie Dent. Dickie said he followed Malik- He doesn't like drag queens. But he didn't kill anyone- he was out running when Lois was killed and at the dominoes tournament when Evelyn was killed. He says he bought the van to scare Malik. Norinda Bellamy also disliked the drag queens. Dickie is to be charged.
Barnaby goes to talk to Norinda. She had looked at court papers about Malik. She also has a pay as you go phone. She has been blackmailing Malik. Norinda says that her son, Nigel, was a star and she wanted Malik to leave Nigel alone. She wanted Malik to leave town. Nigel tell his mom off. Evelyn's dad was investing in a production and Nigel was going to make a comeback.
Winter is on the phone with the clinic in Florida. They said they have never heard of Rocco or Gill Templeton. They are not booked for any treatments. Barnaby and Winter go over to the Kings Arm and split up. Barnaby goes up to talk to Rocco. His door is locked. Barnaby kicks it open. Rocco is lying in bed. Barnaby looks at Rocco's medication. He is taking Levodopa. Rocco says his illness started about a year ago. Symptoms were lethargy, heart beat all over the place, tongue swelled up. His mum told him about the diagnosis. She always spoke to the doctors privately. He was too sick to go to the hospital with her. He never went to have scans or followups. Barnaby says the medication he is on is not for leukemia. In fact it can make his illness worse, along with nuts, chocolate and grapes, which are all on Rocco's nightstand. Downstairs, Gill asks what is going on. Barnaby says we checked- Rocco doesn't have leukemia. He has a mother making him seriously ill. They were never going to a clinic. They were just going to Florida cause Rocco always wanted to go there. His "Dream must be fulfilled." Gill tells Rocco he has anemia. Gill says Rocco took his dad leaving so badly she wanted to make it better. He was only supposed to be ill for a short time. But then the village voted to fundraise for him. The sicker Rocco got, the more people supported them. Gill was tempted. "A new life, a fresh start. Elsewhere." She says she wasn't trying to hurt Rocco. He walks out.
Barnaby says that at the city council meeting Lois voted for the drag show. Gill says that the vote was between drag queens or a Romeo and Juliet production. Rumor had it that Lois and Dickie were having an affair. Olivia infuriated Lois by trying to bribe the city council. So Lois wanted revenge on Olivia by voting for the drag event. Gill says Dickie Dent was planning on coming with them to Florida. Barnaby tells Gill she will be charged with fraud and child abuse.
Barnaby tells Winter to check on Nigel Bellamy. He might be in danger. In the meadow, Olivia is holding a knife to Nigel's throat. Olivia tells Nigel that it has been about "US. It's always been about us." Barnaby says "Your live has always been a chain of disappointments. Like a domino effect." Olivia replies, "I wasn't asking for much. I wanted to be a head teacher, not a drama teacher. A chair, not a treasurer. I wanted someone who would love me and stay with me, not a low life lothario." Then Lois voted against her production of Romeo and Juliet. And Lois tore up her tour list. "Evelyn told me about her father financing their play and tour. My play and tour. She said I should have known Nigel was leading me on. That's what he does. But she took my idea, my dream and my Nigel." Nigel says "I never was your Nigel." Olivia says "you flirted with me, you talked with me, took away my past hurts and disappointments... unlocked my heart. I followed every second of your career. Every triumph, every disaster. And then you were here. You gave me hope and then you took it from me...." Olivia raises the knife to strike. Nigel starts quoting Romeo, "But soft what light from yonder window breaks. It is the east and Juliet is the sun...." Nigel stands up and takes away the knife.
Malik and Nigel are playing dominoes. "I gather you may be looking for someone to play Juliet." says Malik and puts her hand over Nigel's.
Barnaby and Winter meet Sarah and Fleur. "How was the assessment?" asks Sarah. "Glowing assessment, flawless performance. Of course it's all about the training. Which I think deserves a round of drinks," says Barnaby. Winter gets up to get drinks and Fleur asks him to perform with her at the Police Federation Annual Bash. Winter agrees and wiggles his hips on his way to get drinks.
Cast[]
- Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby
- Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter
- Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby
- Annette Badland as Fleur Perkins
- Ace Bhatti as Dickie Dent
- Clare Hingott as Lois Springfield
- LJ Johnson as Chantelle Dawlish
- Felix Kai as Malik Payne
- Nigel Lindsay as Nigel Bellamy
- Nichola McAuliffe as Norinda Bellamy
- Tessie Orange-Turner as Evelyn Hardy
- Suzanne Packer as Olivia Dent
- Sophie Stone as Gill Templeton
- Baxter Westby as Rocco Templeton
- Stewart Wright as Shawn Dawlish
- Ruth Carson as Pub Customer
Galleries[]
Body Count[]
Hit in the head with a stiletto, dressed in drag with a corset that was tightened so she was asphyxiated. She also had dominoes in her eyes.
She was wearing a dress that had eels on it lit up by electrics. She was electrocuted,
In the Episode
Supporting Cast[]
Episode Images[]
Arrests[]
- Olivia Dent - Arrested for the murders of Lois Springfield and Evelyn Hardy and attempted murder of Nigel Bellamy
- Norinda Bellamy- Probably arrested for vandalizing the Suds, Zaps and Zips and blackmailing Malik Payne,
- Dickie Dent- Probably arrested for running down Malik Payne
- Gill Templeton- Probably arrested for fraud- for the community raising funds for her son; Child abuse- Munchausen by Proxy- making her son ill
- Chantelle- Might be arrested for trolling Malik Payne and Evelyn Hardy- Malik may not press charges.
Notes[]
The following actors and actresses who appeared in this episode have also appeared in the following episodes
- Ace Bhatti - Written in the Stars
- Nigel Lindsay- Painted in Blood
- Sophie Stone - The Sicilian Defense
- Ruth Carson- The Lions of Causton, Till Death Do Us Part, The Sting of Death, The Wolf Hunter of Little Worthy, The Witches of Angel's Rise
Trivia[]
The Trials and Tribulations of Jamie Winter: Jamie is embarrassed when Evelyn tells him his buttocks are like coconuts. At the Drag Show, Jamie goes around collecting money and Malik throws a boa at him, which he catches and wears. At the end, Fleur asks him to perform in drag with her at the Police Federation Annual Bash. Winter agrees and wiggles his butt as he walks away.
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