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John Barnaby is a cousin of Tom Barnaby, he is a Detective Chief Inspector, first appearing in The Sword of Guillaume. Portrayed by English actor Neil Dudgeon, the character of John Barnaby replaced his cousin Tom as the chief protagonist in the series. This change became necessary when John Nettles announced his retirement.

Biography[]

John-barnaby-warrant-card

John Barnaby's warrant card

Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby was transferred from Brighton CID to Causton CID after his older cousin, Tom, retired. The character appears in the first full-length episode, Death in the Slow Lane where he is being shown round Midsomer by DS Ben Jones, former sidekick to the other Barnaby. When it is revealed that he has a degree in psychology, he gets some ribbing from Jones. Also in that episode, it is shown on the police database that he had degrees in Maths, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. John is married to Sarah, whom he met in college. Their only child, young Betty Barnaby, was born about a year after they moved to Midsomer, (see The Killings of Copenhagen). They also have a dog called Sykes and live in a large country cottage. After beloved Sykes dies, pathologist Kam Karimore and DS Jamie Winter bring them a homeless dog, a terrier pup, which they adopt and name Paddy (see The Village That Rose from the Dead).

In season 20, it is revealed that John has been on the police force for 25 years (Till Death Do Us Part), and that he met his wife Sarah Barnaby in university, along with Sarah’s friend, the unlikely Hazel Webster.

Personality[]

John Barnaby is well educated, even tempered, and well mannered, if a bit acerbic. He welcomes fellow officers into his home. He has a running tug of war with his wife, who wants to bin his old stuff, including favorite old record albums, tattered sombreros, and fading Bermuda shorts. In The Lions of Causton he reveals his love for rugby; apparently he played in college. He likes to travel and shared in a joint investigation with Danish detectives in The Killings of Copenhagen and Death of the Small Coppers. He likes animals and keeps dogs (see Sykes and Paddy). He denies Fleur’s assessment of his coulrophobia, and states that he simply dislikes clowns (Send in the Clowns).

Case Notes[]

While investigating his first murder in Midsomer, that of a local DJ crushed to death at girls' traditional boarding school, he had a dangerous encounter with the killer at the end. He was saved at the last minute by DS Ben Jones. In the following episode, Dark Secrets, John was joined by his wife Sarah while he investigated the murder of social worker Gerry Dawkins. In the episode Echoes of the Dead, John investigated the death of Dianne Price - which was a copycat of the Brides in the Bath murder centuries earlier. The Oblong Murders saw Barnaby looking into the disappearance of Lucy Oliver, daughter of some friends of pathologist Dr George Bullard. This was also the last time Barnaby and Jones worked with Bullard, who retired. In The Sleeper Under the Hill, Barnaby solved the murder of Alex Preston but also disagreed with Jones over the involvement of local cop and friend, Trevor Gibson. Barnaby found himself in danger again in The Night of the Stag when he and Jones investigated the murder of Peter Slim - a revenue inspector who was found dead in a cider vat. Over at Midsomer Priory in A Sacred Trust, he and Jones investigated when Mother Thomas Acquinas was strangled. His final appearance with Jones is Schooled in Murder. In The Christmas Haunting, Barnaby was paired up with DS Charlie Nelson for the first time. The Killings of Copenhagen, Barnaby teamed up with DS Charlie Nelson and two Danish detectives to investigated the murder of Eric Calder. In the same episode he became a father for the first time when Sarah gave birth to their daughter Betty.  

Investigative Techniques[]

DCI John Barnaby tends to be shrewd and quietly observant. He is generally quite even-tempered during interrogations, and yet firm. He gives his sergeants some latitude and trusts them to carry out their assignments. He tends to use psychology, and perhaps in too many episodes he persuades murderers not to commit suicide or to murder again. He does this by showing understanding, compassion, and sympathy.

Relationships[]

While not overly gregarious or extroverted, John has a sense of humor and is always well-mannered. He is professional at work, a gentleman in society, and he maintains several close relationships. He also likes dogs, especially beloved Sykes, a cute little terrier cross, who finally retired to the backyard, and bone heaven. In The Village That Rose from the Dead John and Sarah adopted a terrier pup they named Paddy after his previous owner was murdered. Paddy the pup terrier appealed to Baby Betty.

Sarah Barnaby[]

Sarah is John's wife and they appear to have been married some years before their arrival in Midsomer. Sarah met John in university, when John was in a tortoise costume (Till Death Do Us Part). In Schooled in Murder, they invite Ben and Kate to join them for dinner to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. John and Sarah's marriage is a happy one. They have a dog called Sykes and in the last episode of season sixteen they have their first child, a daughter called Betty. After Sykes dies, they adopt orphaned terrier, Paddy.

Ned Barnaby[]

Ned Barnaby is John's father. John differs from his father, who is lighthearted and extroverted and who participated in competition dancing when John was growing up (see The Point of Balance). Ned was first mentioned — albeit unnamed at that point —- in the episode Let Us Prey when John was beginning to doubt whether he would be a good father. Ned was shown in a old childhood photo of John's. Despite their different personalities, John clearly had good memories of his father as he fondly recalled them going to a football match together. When Ned spent several days with John’s family during the episode The Point of Balance, he would try to get John to "lighten up" as he felt John was too serious. In the same episode, John manifested unresolved childhood anger and hurt at his father, because he was always off to dance competitions, leaving home too often.

Tom Barnaby[]

John is cousin to DCI Tom Barnaby. When Tom retires, John take his place as DCI. His wife Sarah joins him shortly afterwards. The cousins seem to be particularly close considering that they joined forces to solve a case in The Sword of Guillaume. They are also seen together in Tom's last episode, Fit for Murder when he announces he is retiring. Joyce and Cully are also apparently on friendly terms with cousin John.

George Bullard[]

At first, pathologist George Bullard worked with DCI Tom Barnaby, until Tom retired. George worked with John on four cases. Then George retired and Kate Wilding stepped into the pathology position. George was slow to embrace John, feeling he had Tom’s big shoes to fill, but they eventually formed a bond. In The Oblong Murders George asks John to find Lucy Oliver, the missing daughter of some friends. It is also revealed that he has a sister named Millie who is a dog minder, and John and Sarah leave Sykes in her care.

Kate Wilding[]

John maintains a professional and yet cordial relationship with young blond pathologist Kate Wilding. She first met John and Ben in The Sleeper Under the Hill, and quickly gains their respect. She doesn't shock either. She also worked well with Charlie Nelson, who lodged at her house. Her last appearance is A Vintage Murder. She is replaced by Dr Kam Karimore in the next series.

Kam Karimore[]

John maintains a professional and yet friendly relationship with pathologist Kam Karimore. He is amused by her competitive style with DS Jamie Winter. Kam is single, young, and pretty, with olive skin and dark hair and eyes.

Fleur Perkins[]

Pathologist Fleur Perkins replaces Kam Karimore at the beginning of season 20, The Ghost of Causton Abbey. She is apparently nearing retirement age. At first, she puts DCI Barnaby in his place, striving to maintain her professional boundaries and unwilling to make hasty judgement calls on time of death. She tries to persuade John that his terrier Paddy needs to be neutered. She drives a fast convertible and speaks of her boyfriend, a vet, several times. John invites her to dinner, and hands Sarah the social baton. Gradually Fleur warms up to John and the team.

Ben Jones[]

Ben Jones was the first sergeant to work alongside John Barnaby, who moved to Midsomer to take over from his older cousin. Ben eventually left and was transferred to Brighton CID, after becoming DI. He also sent them a Christmas card, but addressed it to Sykes the dog. He is the godfather of his and Sarah's daughter, Betty Barnaby.

Charlie Nelson[]

Charlie Nelson is the second sergeant to work alongside the new DCI. They first meet in The Christmas Haunting.

Jamie Winter[]

Jamie Winter is the third sergeant to work alongside John. Jamie first appears in the Season 19 premiere The Village That Rose from the Dead. John seemed annoyed by Jamie at first, but by the end of the episode he offers Jamie a full-time role after Nelson's under cover course was extended by another year. Throughout the series, their relationship strengthens and they seem to form a father-son bond.

Family pets[]

The Barnaby family had two dogs. From seasons 14-18, Sykes took centre stage. He was a mischievous and gregarious terrier cross. When Sykes died of old age, they adopted orphaned Paddy, a terrier whose owner had been murdered (The Village That Rose from the Dead).

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