Annette Badland, who plays pathologist Fleur Perkins in Midsomer Murders, has shut down rumours about her departure by confirming she'll remain on the ITV drama for at least another four series. Despite recent betting odds suggesting that she could be replaced by Happy Valley's Sarah Lancashire, the 74-year-old actress expressed why staying on the show is important to her.
After facing harsh online criticism for showing her natural white hair during lockdown, the actress emphasised the importance of representing older women on television. "That's why I like doing Midsomer because Fleur is an older woman with a brain, a good career, a sex life, a Harley Davidson, a black Jag convertible and [she] can send the lads up," she shared.
"So, I think that's a good message to put out because we are still a potent force. I am a part of an army, a whole generation of women who can do stuff later in life and you know we shouldn't be ignored, we have stories to tell."
Reflecting on her casting, Annette revealed she was a saviour when another actor playing the role fell ill: "I don't know which pathologist it was, but under his [Guy Hescott's] term, he said the pathologist, the actor, was poorly and couldn't come in.
"They were going 'Oh God, we've got to shoot the scenes, how are we going to get around [it]?'"
Annette went on to reveal the interesting conversation she had with the former producer after someone suggested "a fax machine" as a substitute for the character.
She recalled: "He said, 'I knew I wanted a pathologist who couldn't be replaced by a fax machine'."
Annette added of her character: "As I say, I really enjoy it because you never know. I love that they don't know if she's telling the truth, and she may or may not be.
"[It's exciting] and clever to play a woman who, basically she solves the crimes, they're hopeless those boys."
Midsomer Murders continues tonight at 8pm on ITV.
English (US) ·