ITV slammed by viewers after slapping Midsomer Murders with a trigger warning
ITV HAS been slammed by viewers after bosses slapped a trigger warning on Midsomer Murders.
The crime drama has been a staple of the broadcaster’s offering for 27 years, with stars such as John Nettles, Daniel Casey and Neil Dudgeon leading the cast.
Over the course of 23 series to date fans have watched a whooping 388 murders as well as 250 attempted killings take place.
However, ITV has been blasted by a former Midsomer Murders star after bosses imposed a trigger warning on a historic episode.
The film, called Death in Disguise, originally aired during series one all the way back in 1998.
A synopsis for the episode reads: “When the founder of a nearby commune is murdered, DCI Barnaby is faced with an eccentric cast of suspects including an heiress, a psychic, and a boy who has lost his tongue.”
But before viewers can get stuck into the episode they have to dismiss a warning message from ITV.
It reads: “Contains some violence and crime scene images.”
That’s not the only episode now carrying the special disclaimer, with a string of other films also slapped with warnings.
Birds of Prey, which broadcast in 2006 has a message that reads: “This programme contains scenes that some viewers may find distressing,”
Actor Anton Lesser who starred in that episode, hit out at ITV for the update.
He told MailOnline: “I understand the good intentions of broadcasters who take care to warn of effects like flashing images, but I’m surprised something like Midsomer Murders warrants a warning.
“I do remember my character in Birds Of Prey hurling a plate of sausages to the floor – perhaps there should be a disclaimer, ‘No sausages were hurt in this film’.”
When contacted a spokesperson for ITVX, the streaming platform for the broadcaster, said: “Programming that contains potentially sensitive or distressing themes, content or language has carried appropriate guidance since our launch.
“We regularly review our catalogue to ensure the right guidance is in place.”
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
- Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
- The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
- Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
- The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
- Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.