Midsomer Rhapsody
Badger's Drift - The Villagers
Peggy Alder - June
Whitfield
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 - Trevor Peacock
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 - Belinda Sinclair
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 - David Lyon
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 - David Burke
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 - Frank Middlemass
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 - Oliver Cotton
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 - Clare Higgins
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 - Stephen Boxer
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 - Christopher Benjamin
Crane is a retired journalist, now a dealer specialising in arts
memorabilia.
Joe Smeeton - Richard Vanstone
Former music pupil Joe is a builder and a drunk. His wife Valerie is
divorcing him.
Sarah Douglas - Kate Fleetwood
Sarah, 30, was adopted as a baby and comes to Badger's Drift to find her
real parents.