Midsomer Murders, 14 April 2024, ITV1, “The Blacktrees Prophecy”

In a brand new episode of Midsomer Murders, airing on ITV1 on Sunday 14 April, viewers are taken to the heart of Midsomer, where a survivalist’s murder in his bombproof shelter unravels a dark conspiracy and reveals the lengths people will go to escape the end of the world.

The village of Blacktrees-on-Marsh, once listed as a potential target for Russia in secret Cold War documents, is haunted by the shadow of the Blacktrees Prophecy. This apocalyptic belief has consumed Warren Kaine, a compulsive fearmonger who founded a doomsday prepper group two decades ago.

When Warren receives a false alarm about nuclear missiles, he rushes to his underground bunker, only to discover it was a hoax. However, his relief turns to horror when he is found suffocated, with the air filter tampered with. DCI John Barnaby and DS Jamie Winter arrive to investigate, uncovering a complex web of fear, resentment, and dark secrets.

The episode delves into the impact of Warren’s apocalyptic beliefs on his marriage to Clodagh and his strained relationship with his daughter, Lyra. As the investigation progresses, the team must question the motives behind the murder—was it a desperate attempt to gain access to Warren’s shelter, or something more sinister?

Midsomer Murders: The Blacktrees Prophecy airs on ITV1 at 8:00 PM on Sunday, 14 April 2024.