<P> Midsomer Murders is a British television detective drama that has aired on ITV since 1997 . The show is based on Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby book series, as originally adapted by Anthony Horowitz . The current lead character is DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon), who works for Causton CID . Dudgeon's character is the younger cousin of former lead character DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles). Dudgeon first appeared as randy gardener Daniel Bolt in the Series 4 episode "Garden of Death". Dudgeon permanently joined the show in 2011 following Nettles's departure . </P> <P> As of 20 May 2018, 116 episodes have aired over 19 series . Episodes 1 to 100 were originally released on DVD as 25 "sets," which are now discontinued, and have been re-released as "series" 1 to 16 in redesigned packages . </P> <P> Series 20 was announced by ITV in April 2017 . </P>

How many series are there in midsomer murders