Midsomer Murders fans call out ITV for 'not caring' about their 'loyal fans' after 'crazy' UK release date for series 24
It's been more than a year since we had new episodes...
Midsomer Murders fans are seriously fed up right now, as series 25 is about to land on US screens BEFORE we’ve even seen series 24 – so what is the delay?
This week, Acorn TV announced that the beloved British crime drama would return to Acorn TV with series 25 on Monday, December 08, 2025.
Great news if you live in the US and Canada, where it will stream exclusively. But not so good if you live in the UK, where the crime series is actually set and filmed.
So why does the series air on Acorn TV before ITV, and why so long between episodes? Here’s everything you need to know about Midsomer Murders series 24, when we can expect to see it on ITV, and why we have to wait.
When is Midsomer Murders series 24 on ITV?
Midsomer Murders fans – and there are millions of you – can FINALLY expect some new episodes after quite the wait. Series 24 will be arriving on ITV in late December 2025 or early January 2026.
The first two episodes of the four-part feature length series are entitled Book of Dead, and The Devil’s Work. In Book of the dead, expect to see guest stars including Shaun Dooley, Rhashan Stone, Omid Djalili, and Jon Culshaw. Also Oliver Dimsdale, Selina Cadell, and Sally Lindsay.
The Devil’s Work guest stars Alex Macqueen, Peter Serafinowicz, Ginny Holder, and Verity Marshall.
This comes after at least a year of sporadic episodes. Series 23 of Midsomer Murders started in April 2024 with a rather bonkers episode called The Blacktrees Prophecy, but disappeared for three months. The next episode, entitled The Debt of Lies, arrived in July 2024.
After facing a backlash, a spokesperson for ITV explained at the time that they no longer show the series every week. They said: “We only ever had one episode of Midsomer Murders scheduled as they are standalone stories and there’ll be more episodes in the coming months.”
Episode 3, A Grain of Truth, followed in July 2024, with the series 23 finale Dressed to Kill airing in November. So it’s been more than a year since ITV shared new episodes of Midsomer Murders. The wait has clearly been taking its toll on loyal fans, with some even jumping to the conclusion the show has been axed.
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Why does Midsomer Murders air in US before the UK?
Midsomer Murders fans were peeved recently when Acorn TV – AMC Networks’ leading streamer for international crime dramas and murder mysteries – teased the return of Midsomer Murders with series 25. But it will premiere exclusively in the US and Canada on Monday, December 8, 2025.
The streaming service said: “Additional episodes will premiere weekly on the platform. Homicide, blackmail, greed, and betrayal: just a taste of what goes on behind the well-trimmed hedges of Midsomer County in this deliciously sinister series.”
So why are American viewers able to watch a series ahead of the UK? Sadly for UK residents, Midsomer Murders airs on Acorn TV first because the streaming service has an exclusive deal to air it in the US and Canada. Acorn TV, which focuses on British programming, acquired the rights from distributor All3Media International. It is now the primary outlet for new seasons of the show.
Midsomer Murders fans ‘still waiting for series 24 to come to the UK’
It’s understandably why UK-based Midsomer Murders fans feel like committing murder themselves at the thought of the series going out on Acorn TV first.
Plenty of “loyal fans” took to social media to complain about the delay in episodes. After Acorn TV announced series 25, one enraged viewer wrote: “We want series 24 in the UK first!”
Another agreed, adding: “Still waiting for series 24 to come to the UK!”
A baffled US fan said: “That’s just crazy. It’s filmed in the UK. You would think you guys would get first dibs. Here in the USA, I’m waiting for series 25 on Acorn TV.”
Another had their own suspicions about the delays, saying: “I think they are running low on story ideas. It’s getting harder to come up with something fresh, so the time between seasons is lengthening.”
“What about us loyal watchers in the UK then?” fumed another, while others said ITV “didn’t care” about them.
Of course, ITV viewers know that this also happens with Grantchester.
ITV responds to criticism over delayed series 24 of Midsomer Murders
In response to fan fury, ITV told fans: “I understand you wish to have season 24 of Midsomer Murders on ITV as it’s your favourite show. We appreciate you love this show, and I will be sure to pass on your comments.
“Fingers crossed we will be able to obtain the rights and licensing for the season for you to enjoy viewing in the future.”
Read more: Midsomer Murders series 26: ITV confirms detective drama will be back for more episodes
