The House in the Woods

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Series Nine, Episode One
The House in the Woods
Airdate	9 October 2005
Village or Location	Midsomer Newton Causton
Writer	Barry Simner
Director	Peter Smith
Episode guide
Previous	Midsomer Rhapsody
Following	Dead Letters

The House in the Woods is the first episode of the ninth series of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders and originally aired on 9th October 2005.

Synopsis

Assisted by acting DC Ben Jones, DCI Barnaby investigates the murders of Caroline and Peter Cave who had been in the village of Midsomer Newton looking for a house. They are found outside an abandoned home, Winyard, owned by Charlie Magwood and which has a reputation for being haunted. Magwood has been trying to sell the place but without success, due at least in part to his unscrupulous estate agent who has her own plans for the place. When told that Winyard actually belonged to Charlie's jailed brother Jack, Barnaby also comes to the conclusion that there is someone secretly living in The House in the Woods.

Cast

• John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby
• Jason Hughes as DC Ben Jones
• Jane Wymark as Joyce Barnaby
• Barry Jackson as Dr. George Bullard
• George Baker as Charlie / Jack Magwood
• Ruth Gemmell as Anne Merrick
• Anita Carey as Barbara Flux
• Gawn Grainger as Lesley Flux
• Rebecca Egan as Harriet Davis
• David Westhead as Gerry Moore
• Andree Evans as Grace Woodhall
• Michael Elwyn as Giles Cato
• Katy Brittain as Miss Owen
• Ben Meyjes as Harcourt
• Caroline Faber as Caroline Cave
• Richard Trinder as Peter Cave
• Greg Sheffield as Phillip Merrick
• Charlie Lucas as Danny Merrick
• Jack McIntosh as Brian
• Lily-May Anson as Tracey
• Abigail Williamson as Kylie
• Alexander Wolfe as Jason (as Alex Matten)
• Jared Garfield as Sean
• Francis Lee as Roman
• Pauline Whitaker as Hotel Receptionist
• Adam Farr as P.C

Galleries

Body Count

Prior to the Episode

P.C. Colin Armstrong
Shot with a gun 18 years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Barrett
Died of depression after seeing Jack going to prison for the murder of P.C. Colin Armstrong.

In the Episode

Caroline Cave
Garroted with a piano wire while sitting in her car.

Peter Cave
Garroted with a piano wire after getting into his car.

Harriet Davis
Garroted with a piano wire while sitting at the table inside Winyard estate.

Supporting Cast

Charlie Magwood

Jack Magwood

Anne Merrick

Barbara Flux

Lesley Flux

Gerry Moore

Grace Woodhall

Giles Cato

Miss Owen

Harcourt

Phillip Merrick

Danny Merrick

Sean

Roman

Episode Images

Video

Midsomer Murders Series 9 Episode 1 - The House in the Woods Preview

Quotes

DCI Barnaby: "Do you possess a suit, Jones?"

Constable Jones: "Yes, sir."

DCI Barnaby: "And a tie?"

Constable Jones: "I do sir, yes."

DCI Barnaby: "How do you fancy working with the CID for a couple of days, eh?"

Constable Jones: "<grinning> Yes, sir."

— DCI Barnaby to Constable Jones outside Winyard

DCI Barnaby: "You've put in two requests, haven't you, to transfer to CID?"

Acting DC Jones: "Well, I'm keen to move on, sir, broaden my experience."

DCI Barnaby: "Well, I'll see what I can do."

— DCI Barnaby to Acting Detective Constable Jones outside Winyard at the end of the episode.

Notes

• First appearance of Ben Jones as a PC who is asked to assist with the murder investigation by Barnaby.  He is then referred to as 'Acting' Detective Constable Jones.
• The first episode to show twin characters, let alone portrayed by the same actor.

The following actors and actresses who appeared in this episode have also appeared in the following episodes

• Katy Brittain - Strangler's Wood
• Caroline Faber - Judgement Day
• Richard Trinder - Judgement Day
• Francis Lee - Blood Will Out
• Pauline Whitaker - Sauce for the Goose
• Ruth Gemmell - A Vintage Murder
• Greg Sheffield - The Oblong Murders
• Adam Farr - The Animal Within and They Seek Him Here