Midsomer Murders - The Animal Within - 8:00 pm Wednesday, April 8 on ITV3

John Nettles (Actor) .. DCI Tom Barnaby

Born: October 11, 1943 in St Austell, Cornwall

Best Known For: Playing Jim Bergerac.

Early-life: John Vivian Drummond Nettles was born on October 11, 1943, in St Austell, Cornwall. He was adopted at birth by a carpenter and his wife, who was a cleaner. John later discovered his biological mother was an unmarried Irish nurse who died of tuberculosis at the age of 28. Despite these humble beginnings, he won a scholarship to study philosophy and history at Southampton University. He trained to be a teacher, but drifted into acting after appearing in a touring version of the play Camus during his time at university.

Career: While appearing in amateur drama productions, Nettles was spotted by an agent who arranged work for him at the Royal Court Theatre. He made his debut as a standard bearer in Macbeth, opening doors for Alec Guinness. His first movie was The Red, White and Black in 1970. His big break came in 1972's A World At War, followed by a four-year stint in The Liver Birds. Nettles became a household name thanks to Bergerac, which ran for 10 years until 1991. TV projects since include Romeo And Juliet, The Hound of the Baskervilles and Midsomer Murders. He has also provided the narration for such programmes as Airport and The Hunt.

Quote: 'I live in the tranquility and splendour which befits someone of my seniority.'

Trivia: Nettles received an OBE in 2010.

Jason Hughes (Actor) .. DS Ben Jones

Jane Wymark (Actor) .. Joyce Barnaby

Barry Jackson (Actor) .. Dr Bullard

Lisa Eichhorn (Actor) .. Faith Alexander

David Troughton (Actor) .. Miles King

Emily Woof (Actor) .. Janet Bailey

Linda Bassett (Actor) .. Eileen Carnack

Malcolm Stoddard (Actor) .. Richard Carnack

Samuel West (Actor) .. Jeremy Thacker

Born: June 19, 1966 in London

Best Known For: His roles in Howards End and Hornblower.

Early-life: Samuel Alexander Joseph West was born in south London on June 19, 1966, to thespians Prunella Scales and Timothy West. He has a younger brother, Joe, and an older half-sister, Juliet, from his father's first marriage. His childhood was spent either at home with his mother or visiting his father on location around the globe. His parents discouraged him from becoming an actor, and at first it seemed their ploy worked when he concentrated on studying science at school. He planned to study physics at Oxford University, but switched to English.

Career: West had a small part in TV series Nanny when he was 13, but didn't become hooked on acting until appearing with Oxford University's theatre group. He went on to appear in a TV adaptation of the Chronicles of Narnia as Prince Caspian, but 1992's Howards End was his big break, earning him a Bafta nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Since then he's appeared in A Feast at Midnight, Carrington, Persuasion, Jane Eyre, Stiff Upper Lips, Hornblower, Iris, and Van Helsing. He also starred in the critically acclaimed play ENRON in 2009 and alongside his father in Caryl Churchill's two-hander A Number, in 2011. In 2012 he appeared as grumpy angel Zac Gist in ITV1's fantasy drama Eternal Law. More recently he featured in Hyde Park on Hudson and Mr Selfridge.

Quote: 'The problem with being fashionable is you become unfashionable.'

Trivia: In 2005 West became the artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, eventually leaving two years later when the city's Crucible was closed for refurbishment. He's also directed a number of plays.

John Cater (Actor) .. Jack Pearce

Freda Dowie (Actor) .. Amie Pearce

Helen Masters (Actor) .. Jane Benbow

Richard Johnson (Actor) .. Rex Masters

William Hope (Actor) .. Alan

Brian True-May (Executive producer)

Renny Rye (Director)

David Hoskins (Writer)

Midsomer Murders: The Animal Within

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Wednesday, April 8 on ITV3 (10)

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The Animal Within
Season 10, Episode 2

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