Midsomer Murders' schedule replacement confirmed as ITV series pulled off air

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Midsomer Murders’ schedule replacement has been confirmed after the ITV series was pulled off air, leaving fans fuming over the changes. Despite the launch of its 23rd season, viewers were left angry when they discovered that the second episode wouldn’t be airing this Sunday, sparking a wave of discontent among the fanbase.

Instead, fans will be treated to a new ITV drama titled Red Eye, which will be broadcast at 9pm on Sunday. The synopsis for the new series reads: “After attending a medical conference in Beijing and coming frighteningly close to dying in a car crash, Dr Matthew Nolan arrives home and is immediately arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport.

“A dead woman was discovered in his crashed car and, despite his protests that he was driving alone, Nolan must return to China in the custody of DC Hana Li to face charges.”

Despite some fans being thrilled that a new drama was coming to screens, frustrated Midsomer Murders took to Twitter to express their dismay at ITV’s decision to remove the show from the upcoming Sunday slot (April 21). @Survivinthe20s vented: “So apparently this is another random schedule filler and it’s not on next week…FFS. @itv @itvx This is not acceptable.”

The same viewer further criticised the network, suggesting a lack of commitment to the beloved series: “It’s obvious @itvpresscentre @itvx @itv don’t give a fudge about #midsomermurders now and are just using it as a constant random filler for all their other promoted shows. Makes you wonder if they will bother making it for much longer.”

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Confusion reigned as @StVitusDance queried: “So what’s happening next week then they’re advertising something else at 9pm? ” A fellow fan confirmed the disappointing news: “Yup, no MM next week, @ITV using it again as a random filler. It’s so frustrating”.

@DebbieBlackma14 expressed a preference for the detective series over new offerings: “Yeah @ITV @itvpresscentre as much as I’m looking forward to #RedEye I would much rather have a whole series of #MidsomerMurders first. 2025 for the next one now probably.”

Despite the confusion over the schedule change, ITV has confirmed “more episodes” of Midsomer Murders will air in due course. A spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “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.” She added: “We have the launch of new drama Red Eye this Sunday for six weeks on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX.”

In the season’s opening episode, The Blacktrees Prophecy, DCI Barnaby, portrayed by Neil Dudgeon, delved into the mysterious murder of Warren Kaine, played by Aran Bell.

Warren had constructed a bombproof shelter in the village, attracting other survivalists to the area. The plot thickened when Warren’s body was discovered during a weekly meeting of a doomsday prepper group.

As Barnaby delved into the mystery of Warren’s murder, a sinister conspiracy unfolded, revealing the lengths people would go to avoid the apocalypse.

While the air date for the second episode remains unconfirmed, the show has already been broadcast in several countries, including the US and New Zealand.

The synopsis for the upcoming episode reads: “DCI Barnaby and his trusty sidekick DS Winter endeavour to solve perplexing crimes while also exploring the quirks of the delightful yet deadly county in which they live.”

Midsomer Murders is available to watch on ITVX.