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{{Infobox episode
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{{Infobox episode|series_and_ep_number = Pilot Episode|image1 = image:The-killings-at-badgers-drift.png|airdate = 23 March 1997|village_or_location = [[Badger's Drift]]|writer = Anthony Horowitz|director = Jeremy Silberston|previous_episode = None|following_episode = [[Written in Blood]]|series = Pilot|image = image:The-killings-at-badgers-drift.png|previous = None|next = [[Written in Blood]]}}'''The Killings at Badger's Drift''' is the pilot episode of the popular [[ITV]] crime drama [[Midsomer Murders]] and was originally broadcast on 23rd March 1997.
  
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|series_and_ep_number = Pilot Episode
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|image1 = image:The-killings-at-badgers-drift.png
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|airdate = 23 March 1997
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|village_or_location = [[Badger's Drift]]
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|other_locations = [[Brighton]]
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|writer = [[Anthony Horowitz]]
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|director = [[Jeremy Silberston]]
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|previous_episode = None
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|following_episode = [[Written in Blood]]
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}}'''The Killings at Badger's Drift''' is the pilot episode of the popular [[ITV]] crime drama [[Midsomer Murders]] and was originally broadcast on 23rd March 1997.
   
 
==Background==
  
==Background==
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==Plot==
  
==Plot==
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[[File:The-killings-at-badgers-drift-01.png|thumb|left|324px]]When gentle spinster Emily Simpson is murdered in her own home in the seemingly tranquil village of Badger's Drift, it attracts the attention of DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy of Causton CID. When her friend, [[Lucy Bellringer]], is unconcvinced that Miss Simpson died of natural causes, she voices her suspicions. Suspects include [[Iris Rainbird|Iris]] and [[Dennis Rainbird|Dennis Rainbird,]] the Lessiter family, which includes [[Trevor Lessiter|Trevor]], the local GP, his wife [[Barbara Lessiter|Barbara]], and daughter [[Judith Lessiter|Judith]] . Other persons of interest are [[Henry Trace]], the landowner and is engaged to young [[Katherine Lacey]]; his estate manager is [[David Whitely]], Katherine's artist brother [[Michael Lacey|Michael,]] and [[Phyllis Cadell]]. Barnaby also learns of the shooting of Henry's first wife [[Bella Trace|Bella]] almost two years ago.
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[[File:The-killings-at-badgers-drift-01.png|thumb|left|324px]] When gentle spinster Emily Simpson is murdered in her own home in the seemingly tranquil village of Badger's Drift, it attracts the attention of DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy of Causton CID. When her friend, [[Lucy Bellringer]], is unconvinced that Miss Simpson died of natural causes, she voices her suspicions. Suspects include [[Iris Rainbird|Iris]] and [[Dennis Rainbird|Dennis Rainbird,]] the Lessiter family, which includes [[Trevor Lessiter|Trevor]], the local GP, his wife [[Barbara Lessiter|Barbara]], and daughter [[Judith Lessiter|Judith]] . Other persons of interest are [[Henry Trace]], the landowner and is engaged to young [[Katherine Lacey]]; his estate manager is [[David Whitely]], Katherine's artist brother [[Michael Lacey|Michael]], and [[Phyllis Cadell]]. Barnaby also learns of the shooting of Henry's first wife [[Bella Trace|Bella]] almost two years ago.
   
 
==Cast==
  
==Cast==
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<div style="​column-count: 2; -moz-column-count: 2; -webkit-column-count: 2;​">
  
<div style="​column-count: 2; -moz-column-count: 2; -webkit-column-count: 2;​">
 
*[[John Nettles]] as DCI [[Tom Barnaby]]
  
*[[John Nettles]] as DCI [[Tom Barnaby]]
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*Renée Asherson as [[Emily Simpson]] (as Renee Asherson)
  
*Renée Asherson as [[Emily Simpson]] (as Renee Asherson)
 
*Rosalie Crutchley as [[Lucy Bellringer]]
  
*Rosalie Crutchley as [[Lucy Bellringer]]
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*[[Jonathan Firth|Jonathan&nbsp;Firth]] as [[Michael Lacey]]
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*[[Jonathan Firth]] as [[Michael Lacey]]
 
*[[Emily Mortimer]] as [[Katherine Lacey]]
  
*[[Emily Mortimer]] as [[Katherine Lacey]]
 
*[[Julian Glover]] as [[Henry Trace]]
  
*[[Julian Glover]] as [[Henry Trace]]
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*Guy Normas as Grave Digger (uncredited)
  
*Guy Normas as Grave Digger (uncredited)
 
</div>
  
</div>
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==Galleries==
  
==Galleries==
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===Body Count===
  
===Body Count===
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Prior to the Episode
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<gallery captionalign="center" captionsize="large" bordersize="medium" navigation="true" widths="110" spacing="small" hideaddbutton="true">
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Placeholder person.png|[[Mr. Lacey]]<br>Died in a car accident with [[Mrs. Lacey|his wife]] 9 years prior to the events of the episode.
  +
Placeholder person.png|[[Mrs. Lacey]]<br>Died in a car accident with [[Mr. Lacey|her husband]] 9 years prior to the events of the episode.
  ⚫
Bella-trace.jpg|[[Bella Trace]]<br>Shot with shotgun to the chest from distance on the 26th of June 1995.
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</gallery>
  +
  +
In the Episode
 
<gallery captionalign="center" captionsize="large" bordersize="medium" navigation="true" widths="110" spacing="small" hideaddbutton="true">
  
<gallery captionalign="center" captionsize="large" bordersize="medium" navigation="true" widths="110" spacing="small" hideaddbutton="true">
  +
Emily-simpson.jpg|[[Emily Simpson]]<br>Broken neck after being struck from behind and the scene was arranged to appear as natural causes.
⚫
Bella-trace.jpg|[[Bella Trace]]<br>Shotgun to the chest.
  
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Emily-simpson.jpg|[[Emily Simpson]]<br>Broken neck after being struck from behind.
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Dennis-rainbird.jpg|[[Dennis Rainbird]]<br>Throat slit with butcher's knife.
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Dennis-rainbird.jpg|[[Dennis Rainbird]]<br>Stabbed in neck with butcher's knife.
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Iris-rainbird.jpg|[[Iris Rainbird]]<br>Stabbed multiple times with butcher's knife right after Dennis.
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Iris-rainbird.jpg|[[Iris Rainbird]]<br>Stabbed multiple times with butcher's knife.
  
 
Phyllis-cadell.jpg|[[Phyllis Cadell]]<br>Committed suicide while in police custody.
  
Phyllis-cadell.jpg|[[Phyllis Cadell]]<br>Committed suicide while in police custody.
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Katherine-lacey.jpg|[[Katherine Lacey]]<br>Shotgun - part of murder/suicide pact with brother Michael.
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Katherine-lacey.jpg|[[Katherine Lacey]]<br>Shot with shotgun - part of murder/suicide pact with Michael.
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Michael-lacey.jpg|[[Michael Lacey]]<br>Self inflicted shotgun after shooting sister Katherine.
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Michael-lacey.jpg|[[Michael Lacey]]<br>Self inflicted shotgun blast after shooting Katherine.
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
 
===Supporting Cast===
  
===Supporting Cast===
 
<gallery captionalign="center" captionsize="large" bordersize="medium" widths="110" spacing="small" hideaddbutton="true">
  
<gallery captionalign="center" captionsize="large" bordersize="medium" widths="110" spacing="small" hideaddbutton="true">
  ⚫
Lucy-bellringer.jpg|[[Lucy Bellringer]]
 
Henry-trace.jpg|[[Henry Trace]]
  
Henry-trace.jpg|[[Henry Trace]]
 
David-whitely.jpg|[[David Whitely]]
  
David-whitely.jpg|[[David Whitely]]
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Barbara-lessiter.jpg|[[Barbara Lessiter]]
  
Barbara-lessiter.jpg|[[Barbara Lessiter]]
 
Judith-lessiter.jpg|[[Judith Lessiter]]
  
Judith-lessiter.jpg|[[Judith Lessiter]]
⚫
Lucy-bellringer.jpg|[[Lucy Bellringer]]
  
 
Mary-sharpe.jpg|[[Mary Sharpe]]
  
Mary-sharpe.jpg|[[Mary Sharpe]]
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
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===Episodes images===
  
===Episodes images===
 
<gallery captionalign="center" captionsize="large" hideaddbutton="true">
  
<gallery captionalign="center" captionsize="large" hideaddbutton="true">
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Midsomer-begins.jpg
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Rainbirds.jpg
 
Michael-katherine.jpg
  
Michael-katherine.jpg
 
The-killings-at-badgers-drift-01.jpg
  
The-killings-at-badgers-drift-01.jpg
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</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
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==Video==
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==Videos==
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<tabber>
⚫
[[File:Midsomer Murders - How it all Began E01|thumb|none|600px]]
  
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YouTube=
  +
<gallery widths="350" hideaddbutton="true">
  ⚫
Midsomer Murders - How it all Began E01
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</gallery>
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|-|
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Facebook=
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<div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/BritBoxUS/videos/453816098416032/" data-width="350" data-show-text="false" data-allowfullscreen="true"> </div>
  +
<div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/BritBoxUS/videos/390801788050797/" data-width="350" data-show-text="false" data-allowfullscreen="true"> </div>
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</tabber>
   
−
==Notes==
 +
==Quotes==
  +
{{Dialogue|DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy arrive at the crime scene, Emily Simpson's house. They get out of the car.
⚫
* Elizabeth Spriggs and Richard Cant later portrayed Iris Rainbird's sister, Ursula Gooding and nephew Alistair Gooding respectively in the second episode of [[Series Nine]] entitled [[Dead Letters]].
  
  +
|'''DS Gavin Troy''': This is it here, sir.
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|'''DCI Tom Barnaby''' (ironically): Really, Troy?! I'd never have guessed.
  +
}}
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{{Dialogue|As DCI Barnaby and DS Troy are leaving Lucy Bellringer's house, they are approached by Dennis Rainbird about taking Mrs Simpson's body due to him being an undertaker
  +
|'''Dennis Rainbird''': I was wondering if I could take her ... the deceased.
  +
|'''DCI Tom Barnaby''': Oh, I'm afraid that won't be possible for a little while.
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|'''Dennis Rainbird''' (with a bit of excitement): Oh. So you do suspect some naughtiness. (takes his right hand to his neck) It was her neck, I understand.
  +
|'''DS Gavin Troy''': Who told you that?
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|'''Dennis Rainbird''': Oh, come on. Everyone knows by now. It's that sort of village.
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|'''DS Gavin Troy''' (irritated): Well, you can't have the body yet. All right?!... (looks at him disgusted and with a fake smile) Sir?!
  +
|'''Dennis Rainbird''' (to Barnaby): Oh. I see you've got a right constable there. You let me know when you're ready for me.
  +
}}
   
  +
==Notes==
⚫
* Neil Conrich and Christopher Villiers were the first actors to originate recurring characters in the series, Conrich's character of Police Constable Angel appeared in four subsequent episodes concluding in [[Birds of Prey]], and Villiers character David Whitely later appeared in the [[Series Two]] episode entitled [[Death's Shadow]].
  
  ⚫
*[[Elizabeth Spriggs]] and [[Richard Cant]] later portrayed Iris Rainbird's sister, Ursula Gooding and nephew Alistair Gooding respectively in the second episode of [[Series Nine]] entitled [[Dead Letters]].
−  
  ⚫
*[[Neil Conrich]] and [[Christopher Villiers]] were the first actors to originate recurring characters in the series, Conrich's character of Police Constable Angel appeared in four subsequent episodes concluding in [[Birds of Prey]], and Villiers character David Whitely later appeared in the [[Series Two]] episode entitled [[Death's Shadow]].
−
*Guy Normas the Gravedigger in the episode holds the unique distinction of being the only actor to appear in both the series premiere and the most recent episode to be presented, the series finale of [[Series Twenty]], [[Send in the Clowns]].
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*Guy Normas the Gravedigger in the episode holds the record for the longest period between his first appearance in the series, ''The Killings at Badger's Drift'' and his latest appearance, the series finale of [[Series Twenty]], ''[[Send in the Clowns]]''.
   
 
The following actors and actresses from the pilot episode of the series have appeared in subsequent episodes:
  
The following actors and actresses from the pilot episode of the series have appeared in subsequent episodes:
 
*Selina Caddell - [[Midsomer Life]]
  
*Selina Caddell - [[Midsomer Life]]
 
*[[Richard Cant]] - [[Dead Letters]]
  
*[[Richard Cant]] - [[Dead Letters]]
  ⚫
*[[Elizabeth Spriggs]] - [[Dead Letters]]
 
*[[Neil Conrich]] - [[Written in Blood]], [[Death of a Hollow Man]], [[Death's Shadow]], [[Strangler's Wood]], [[Beyond the Grave]] and [[Birds of Prey]]
  
*[[Neil Conrich]] - [[Written in Blood]], [[Death of a Hollow Man]], [[Death's Shadow]], [[Strangler's Wood]], [[Beyond the Grave]] and [[Birds of Prey]]
 
*Guy Normas - [[Send in the Clowns]]
  
*Guy Normas - [[Send in the Clowns]]
 
*Paul Putner - [[Written in Blood]]
  
*Paul Putner - [[Written in Blood]]
 
*[[Marlene Sidaway]] - [[Written in Blood]], [[Death's Shadow]] and [[Judgement Day]]
  
*[[Marlene Sidaway]] - [[Written in Blood]], [[Death's Shadow]] and [[Judgement Day]]
⚫
*[[Elizabeth Spriggs]] - [[Dead Letters]]
  
 
*[[Christopher Villiers]] - [[Death's Shadow]]
  
*[[Christopher Villiers]] - [[Death's Shadow]]
 
*Barbara Young - [[Last Year's Model]]
  
*Barbara Young - [[Last Year's Model]]

Revision as of 19:36, 12 April 2020

The Killings at Badger's Drift is the pilot episode of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders and was originally broadcast on 23rd March 1997.

Background

The episode was adapted from the novel of the same name by author Caroline Graham and was screenplayed by Anthony Horowitz, who was also well-known for adapting dramas such as Foyle's War and Agatha Christie's Poirot. It was directed by Jeremy Silberston. It is the first appearance of Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and Detective Sergeant Gavin Troy, played by John Nettles and Daniel Casey respectively.

Synopsis

When elderly Emily Simpson stepped into the woods one sunny afternoon, she never expected to see what she did. Something she was never meant to see and that meant she had to be silenced. DCI Barnaby and DS Troy arrived in the village of Badger's Drift to discover an array of eccentric characters all with their own sinister agendas. And does the murder have anything to do with a shooting at the local manor that happened one year ago?

Plot

The-killings-at-badgers-drift-01

When gentle spinster Emily Simpson is murdered in her own home in the seemingly tranquil village of Badger's Drift, it attracts the attention of DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy of Causton CID. When her friend, Lucy Bellringer, is unconvinced that Miss Simpson died of natural causes, she voices her suspicions. Suspects include Iris and Dennis Rainbird, the Lessiter family, which includes Trevor, the local GP, his wife Barbara, and daughter Judith . Other persons of interest are Henry Trace, the landowner and is engaged to young Katherine Lacey; his estate manager is David Whitely, Katherine's artist brother Michael, and Phyllis Cadell. Barnaby also learns of the shooting of Henry's first wife Bella almost two years ago.

Cast

Galleries

Body Count

Prior to the Episode

In the Episode

Supporting Cast

Episodes images

Videos

 
 

Quotes

“


DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy arrive at the crime scene, Emily Simpson's house. They get out of the car.
DS Gavin Troy: This is it here, sir.
DCI Tom Barnaby (ironically): Really, Troy?! I'd never have guessed.


”


“


As DCI Barnaby and DS Troy are leaving Lucy Bellringer's house, they are approached by Dennis Rainbird about taking Mrs Simpson's body due to him being an undertaker
Dennis Rainbird: I was wondering if I could take her ... the deceased.
DCI Tom Barnaby: Oh, I'm afraid that won't be possible for a little while.
Dennis Rainbird (with a bit of excitement): Oh. So you do suspect some naughtiness. (takes his right hand to his neck) It was her neck, I understand.
DS Gavin Troy: Who told you that?
Dennis Rainbird: Oh, come on. Everyone knows by now. It's that sort of village.
DS Gavin Troy (irritated): Well, you can't have the body yet. All right?!... (looks at him disgusted and with a fake smile) Sir?!
Dennis Rainbird (to Barnaby): Oh. I see you've got a right constable there. You let me know when you're ready for me.


”


Notes

The following actors and actresses from the pilot episode of the series have appeared in subsequent episodes:

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