Midsomer Murders viewers were left disappointed with the return of the ITV series on Sunday night after they claimed it was “far-fetched”.
Season 23 returned with one episode titled The Blacktrees Prophecy, with the synopsis reading: “Deep in the Blacktrees forest is a bombproof shelter built by a man names Warren Kaine.
“His extreme paranoia has drawn other survivalists to the village, and now a doomsday prepper group meets weekly.
“When Warren is found murdered, Barnaby unravels a dark conspiracy to reveal how far people will go to escape the end of the world.”
Whilst many were excited about the shows return, others were left let down and begged for ITV’s other popular crime series Vera to return.
One noted: “John Nettles made this show when he finished it went downhill still watchable but a difficult one, to be honest.”
Fans were left furious with the first episode
ITV
“Nice easy Sunday night telly but a bit far-fetched #MidsomerMurders,” another added before a third quipped: “Don't know why but no matter how hard I try to like this show I can never get into it. Just bring back Vera.”
Another expressed: “In the latest #MidsomerMurders on @ITV the pathologist playing the role, in real life is 73 and looks it. Why are they using actors unfit for the television roles?”
“Why oh why only one episode #MidsomerMurders getting really p****d off with ITV doing this!” one pleased.
However, some were quick to defend the series, as one praised: “People moaning about #MidsomerMurders it's only been on for 5 minutes. Personally, I like it a bit of a more weird premise to start the series.” (sic)
A spin-off series is reportedly in the works
ITV
Despite the 23rd season just starting, a spin-off series is reportedly in the works, but is yet to be turned into a four-part drama.
The forthcoming interactive novel reads: “All is not well in the beautiful county of Midsomer. On the eve of its first Villages In Bloom competition, a man lies dead, smelling of damson jam. Who could have done it? Well, that's where you come in.
“Step into the shoes of Midsomer CID's newest recruit, choose your own path and decide which way the story goes.
“Will you get to the bottom of the mystery? Will you bring the perpetrator to justice? And perhaps most importantly of all, could you avoid an untimely, and possibly bizarre, death... will YOU survive Midsomer?
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Midsomer Murders returned for a 23rd series
ITV
"Your task is to make the right choices, solve the case and - most tricky of all - stay alive!... Good luck."
On May 23, the paperback version of the novel will be available to purchase as well.