Telemystery: Gwilym Lee Joins the Cast of Midsomer Murders

Here's some news we missed from a week or so ago: DCI John Barnaby (of Midsomer Murders) is getting a new partner.

Gwilym Lee has joined the cast as Detective Sergeant Charlie Nelson following the departure — more new news to us — of Jason Hughes, who played DS Ben Jones … and provided some continuity to the series after DCI Tom Barnaby (played by John Nettles) retired. Lee's debut will be the first episode of the 16th series, scheduled to air in the UK later this year. (We're not exactly sure what "season" that will correspond to here in the US; it will be at least a year or so away for us.)

"I am delighted to be joining such a popular and long running series as Midsomer Murders", said Lee. "I have always watched it and can't wait to start work on it now, as a regular character. It's a bit of a dream come true and I am even looking forward to the various stunts that lie ahead of me — I know Barnaby doesn't like jumping into freezing lakes!"

Lee will be the fourth DS on the series: Daniel Casey was first as Gavin Troy; then John Hopkins as Daniel Scott; and most recently Jason Hughes as Ben Jones.