Barnaby and Barnaby have had a lot of companions sergeants throughout the ages. They might be hard to keep track of. We're here with a definitive ranking to help you keep them straight.
Ben Jones has appeared with a beard twice in Midsomer Murders -- once in "The Oblong Murders" (S14E4) and once in "Last Man Out" (S19E3). In both these cases, Ben Jones was ostensibly "deep undercover", because there is no disguise more impenetrable than roughly an inch or two of facial hair.
The show basically admits that in either permitting or forcing actor Jason Hughes to grow facial hair, they have created a sexual force beyond their control. Forget a Midsomer 10 -- Ben Jones with a beard is a Midsomer 12. Multiple women throw themselves at them in "The Oblong Murders", and his entire role in "Last Man Out" is to be new Barnaby's hot ex who makes Jamie jealous. Forget investigating -- he gets captured by the murderer and almost dies, possibly just to make new Barnaby rescue him (and to make Jamie even more jealous.) What pettiness. Without question, the best sergeant the show has ever seen. 12/10.
Jamie Winter appears completely indifferent to police work. He basically only does what Barnaby requests and does not propose any theories about the murder or new interpretations of the evidence. The main motivation DS Winter appears to have to go to work in the morning is to collect gossip about the suspects. Is the gossip related to the case? All the better! But why limit yourself like this?
But let's not forget another reason to go to work each morning -- Jamie is definitely screwing his boss. As previously mentioned, Jamie's role in "Last Man Out" is to be Barnaby's current fling who stews in jealousy to see that Barnaby's ex is much hotter than he remembered. And there's a shower scene in "The Lions of Causton" (S20E4) that is basically proof that they are fucking. DS Winter is not here to solve any murder -- he's here for the gossip and to get laid. In other words, Jamie Winter is a hero. 10/10, we have no choice but to stan.
Ben Jones sadly appears beardless throughout his multi-season, multi-Barnaby run. He is popular with the ladies in the show and popular with audiences. Is he "good at his job"? Not consistently! Does it matter? Absolutely not.
Look at this face. He's doing great.
You might object that this confused widow from "Hidden Depths" (S8E6) is "not a sergeant" and therefore not actually eligible to be on this list. But I would say that her performance in this episode -- in which she was locked in the cellar with Barnaby and Scott and, instead of doing absolutely anything to help, takes a nap and wakes up when another character comes to let them out -- deserves high praise. After all, in not doing anything but sleeping in the corner, she contributed roughly the same amount of detective work that any of the actual sergeants do in their episodes.
If you ask me to describe Troy's contribution to Midsomer Murders police work, I would consistently describe him as "a person who appears in episodes". He definitely talked to Barnaby at points and was probably employed by Big Browse / the Midsomer police department.
In not making a strong impression and looking somewhat like he could be Ben Jones at a different point in his life, Gavin Troy is a solid choice for 5th best sergeant.
| "Gavin Troy": | Ben Jones: |
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DS Dan Scott is, much like Gavin Troy, someone I would consistently describe as "appearing on the show", except he also weirdly hits on Barnaby's wife and daughter, sometimes in the same episode. Why? This is uncomfortable. Please stop.
Other highlights of Dan Scott include him getting stood up by a date and dropping his ice cream. We're nearing the end of the list here, people.
I've never seen this man in my life. Who is he? Is he a hipster? Is he a stork? Is he a hipster stork? Sorry sir but you're the worst sergeant.