Written in Blood is the first episode of the first series, the second overall after the pilot, of the popular British crime drama Midsomer Murders and first aired 22nd March 1998.
Synopsis
Midsomer Worthy Writers' Circle gather together to think of an author that could visit them and discuss their books. The name of this famous writer is Max Jennings, but the group's secretary Gerald Hadleigh seems far from happy. However Jennings is asked and astonishingly, given his fame, accepts; but the morning after the group meets Jennings, Gerald is found murdered. DCI Barnaby and Sergeant Troy try to delve into the private life of Hadleigh but their investigation is scuppered by the fact that Max Jennings has disappeared.
Plot
Cast
- John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby
- Daniel Casey as Sgt. Gavin Troy
- Jane Wymark as Joyce Barnaby
- Laura Howard as Cully Barnaby
- Barry Jackson as Dr. George Bullard
- Anna Massey as Honoria Lyddiard
- Joanna David as Amy Lyddiard
- David Troughton as Brian Clapper
- John Shrapnel as Max Jennings
- Jane Booker as Laura Hutton
- Judith Scott as Sue Clapper
- Robert Swann as Gerald Hadleigh
- Una Stubbs as Selina Jennings
- Annoushka Le Gallois as Barbara Neale
- Marlene Sidaway as Mrs. Bundy
- Nancy Lodder as Edie Carter
- Daniel Newman as Tom Carter
- Marcus Rogers as Denzel
- Zoot Lynam as Collar
- Mark Bagnall as Boreham
- John Bardon as Mr. Belgrove
- Jacqueline Morgan as Miss Panter
- Timothy Bateson as James Jocelyne
- Jay Barrymore as Liam
- Murray Ewan as Liam's Father
- Neil Conrich as Police Constable Angel
- Paul Putner as Policeman 2
- David Maybrick as Policeman 3
- Brian Parr as Mr. Baker
- Bryan Burdon as Barman
- Richard Parkin as Brad (Cully's Boyfriend) (uncredited)
Galleries
Midsomer Worthy Writer's Circle
Body Count
Supporting Cast
Notes
- First appearance of Timothy Bateson's character Mr. Jocelyne, later appeared in the episode, Orchis Fatalis.
- Although, Marlene Sidaway had a small role as a counselor in the previous episode, Written in Blood marked the debut of Mrs. Bundy. The character later appeared in Death's Shadow
The following actors and actresses that first appeared in this episode have appeared in subsequent episodes
- Timothy Bateson - Death's Shadow, and Orchis Fatalis
- Jane Booker - The Creeper
- Joanna David - A Sacred Trust
- Anna Massey; - Secrets and Spies
- David Maybrick - Death of a Stranger
- Brian Parr - Picture of Innocence, and Talking to the Dead
- Marlene Sidaway;
- Una Stubbs;
- David Troughton
- ↑ the Script mentions the poison as Valium Sulphate, however it is more likely Thallium Sulphate