Midsomer Murders episode axed for Prince Harry interview finally gets release date

Jeremy Whittingdale and Neil Dudgeon for Midsomer Murders.
Jeremy Whittingdale and Neil Dudgeon in Midsomer Murders this weekend. (Image credit: ITV)

There's good news for Midsomer Murders fans becasue the episode that was bumped off the schedules back in January has finally been given an air date. 

The episode, titled 'For Death Prepare', was meant to air on ITV on January 8, however it was dropped at the very last moment to make way for Harry: The Interview, a one-off interview with the Duke of Sussex. 

Fans weren't happy that the stand alone Midsomer Murders episode got bumped for ITV's exclusive 90-minute documentary that Prince Harry recorded ahead of the release of his bombshell book, Spare — but now the wait to find out whodunnit is over after the crime drama has been given a new air date for this weekend at 8pm on Sunday, May 28 on ITV1. 

The episode will see DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix) returning to their super sleuthing after a body is found in a treasure chest prop on the set of an amateur dramatics production — and the episode also marks Neil 50th appearance as DCI John Barnaby. 

Kevin Whately, Shobna Gulati and Samantha Spiro are all due to guest star in the scrapped episode which will see Barnaby and Winter race against time to find out who the killer is before the body count starts to pile up. 

Kevin Whately in a red jacket and holding a feathered hat alongside Neil Dudgeon in a suit and Fiona Dolman in a red jacket and black hat in Midsomer Murders

Fiona Dolman and Kevin Whately take centre stage in the Midsomer mystery.  (Image credit: Mark Bourdillon / ITV / Bentley Productions)

DCI John Barnaby becomes caught up in deadly drama with the local amateur dramatics society when a body is discovered in rehearsals. However, it turns out this is a family affair becasue his wife, Sarah (Fiona Dolman), is roped into the production by a former colleague. Could she become the next victim? 

Guest star Kevin Whately is also taking a starring role in the episode, and after years of solving crimes in shows like Inspector Morse and Lewis, Kevin is returning to the world of crime drama... but this time as a suspect. 

You can watch Midsomer Murders episode 'For Death Prepare' on Sunday, May 28 on  ITV at 8pm. You will also be able to stream the epsiode after it has aired on ITVX. 

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Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.