In 2010 Dudgeon appeared in an episode of the ITV crime drama "Midsomer Murders", called "The Sword of Guillaume". He was introduced in the episode as the cousin of Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, played by John Nettles, who retired from the role. Dudgeon, also cast as a senior detective, took over as the lead character in "Midsomer Murders" after the last episodes featuring John Nettles were screened in 2011. Dudgeon's character name is DCI "John" Barnaby, which has been suggested may be a vehicle for continued sales to territories where the show is known as "Inspector Barnaby".