Fiona Dolman played Sarah Barnaby for 15 years in beloved ITV drama Midsomer Murders.
Fiona, 56, appears on a recurring episode of Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh this Sunday, where she reveals all about the cult ITV murder mystery series.
In the last episode of series four, which airs in 2022, Fiona also spoke about working with Neil Dudgeon, who plays her husband, Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby.
Fiona opened up about their working relationship, admitting there can be quite a bit of “naughtiness” when the pair are on set together. Presenter Alan, 77, commented: “You and Neil (Dudgeon) clearly have a good relationship, you clearly get on with each other!”
Fiona joined Alan Titchmarsh to discuss her career. Photo: ITV
Fiona smiled and explained: “Yes! I think we nailed it on day one, he’s a fantastically good actor and a lot of fun to work with.
“There’s real mischief going on and we’ll discuss how we’re going to do something and then he’ll just throw in something a little different.
“So we have a lot of fun playing them, but obviously it’s been 10 years and actors don’t get paid that much, so it means we kind of fall into the role of that old married couple.
“You argue a little bit and I get the script in the mail and I read it and I can, I laugh because I can see what he’s going to do or how he’s going to say something!”
In the last episode of the fourth series in question, Fiona also spoke about working with Neil Dudgeon. Photo credit: Mark Bourdillon/ITV
Alan also mentioned the remarkable fact that she remained a part of the show despite the then-staggering 400 on-screen deaths that occurred over the 25 years the series was on the air.
He teased: “Midsomer has been going on for 25 years and if you see little things like a marriage getting a little rocky in the script, then get very excited!
“It’s like treasure island, if you come across a piece of paper with a black spot on it, be careful, be very afraid, everyone else in Midsomer is gone, but I’m sure you won’t be next!” to which Fiona cheerfully begged, “Please don’t kill me!”
Throughout her time on the program, Fiona’s real-life pregnancy was worked into the storyline. In the story, Sarah and John welcomed their daughter Betty, and twin girls were chosen to play the role of their child.
Fiona has previously spoken candidly about filming scenes with the two newborn babies and revealed she saw a different side of Neil.
Fiona’s real-life pregnancy was incorporated into the storyline. Posted by Mark Bourdillon/ITV
Back in 2015, Fiona explained: “We have a lot of time between takes to play with the girls and make silly baby noises. Now you can make them giggle and it was fun to see that side of Neil, it brings out the clown in him.”
However, Neil called filming with twins “challenging.” He admitted that one of the babies didn’t like being strapped into a stroller while he and Fiona delivered their lines.
As a result, the child “screamed from ear to ear” during filming. Despite the shouting, Neil praised the “spontaneity” of his young co-stars, telling the Daily Mail’s Weekend Magazine that they made the scenes “more real”.
The show is filmed almost exclusively in the Chilterns region of Buckinghamshire and the surrounding counties of Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh airs Sundays at 10am on ITV.