Chief Inspector Barnaby is a fictional character from the British television series Midsomer Murders, which is based on the novels by Caroline Graham. He is known for his keen investigative skills and a calm demeanor, often solving complex murder cases in the picturesque but deadly county of Midsomer. The character is portrayed by actor John Nettles in the original series, which aired from 1997 to 2011. Barnaby is often accompanied by a series of younger detectives, who assist him in unraveling the mysteries that arise in the seemingly idyllic villages of Midsomer.