The People in Midsomer Rhapsody

BADGER'S DRIFT

Peggy Alder
Peggy is in her 80s and a resident at the Cedars retirement home. She is mother of the late composer Joan Alder and still misses her talented, elder daughter dearly. She has found new love in later life and is preparing for her wedding to Charlie Speight.

Charlie Speight
A retired entertainer, Charlie is in his 80s but still has the cheeky chappie charm, despite his hearing aid and glasses. A resident at the Cedars, he loves to play the piano and has fallen for Peggy Alder.

Melody Thorpe
Melody is the kind, younger sister of the late Joan Alder, composer of the famous Midsomer Rhapsody, and feels overshadowed by her famous sibling.

Alan Thorpe
A teacher, married to Melody, and a former pupil of retired teacher Arthur Leggott. Alan is now secretary of the Joan Alder Society and restoring her house as a museum.

Hedge
Hedge is a haggard vagrant who lives in a caravan in woodland near Badger’s Drift and earns money doing outdoor jobs such as hedging. He has a secret past identity.

Noah Farrow
A bitter and angry man in his 80s, Noah is a rich landowner with a sad personal history. He disinherited his son 30 years ago after John fell in love with Joan Alder.

Michael Maybury
Michael is a successful writer once married to Joan Alder, and blamed by some for her death. He is now having a relationship with builder’s wife Valerie Smeeton.

Laura Crawford
Laura is a successful London agent who represented Joan Alder and now looks after her valuable estate. She lives at her country house in Badger’s Drift.

Owen Swinscoe
An enthusiast and avid collector, Swinscoe is head librarian of Causton Library and curator of Joan Alder House, a living museum celebrating the composer.

Harvey Crane
Crane is a retired journalist, now a dealer specialising in arts memorabilia.

Joe Smeeton
Former music pupil Joe is a builder and a drunk. His wife Valerie is divorcing him.

Sarah Douglas
Sarah, 30, was adopted as a baby and comes to Badger’s Drift to find her real parents.

More pictures to follow...