The Wolf Hunter of Little Worthy is the first episode of the twenty-second series of Midsomer Murders and first aired 4th April 2021.
Barnaby and Winter are sent to Little Worthy, a town that recently ran a competition to create a modern urban myth, won by a struggling photographer with his creation of The Wolf Hunter. While the Wolf Hunter gains a cult following in the town and tourists arrive to catch a glimpse of the beast, Barnaby and Winter must investigate the murder of local handyman Jez and find out if this myth has become a deadly reality.
Tropes:
- Costumes Change Your Size: The Wolf Hunter suggests a tall antagonist. When the killer is revealed they are significantly shorter than the other suspects and shorter than the costume initially seemed to suggest.
- Naked People Are Funny: Mark Williams as Pat stands up nude in a hot tub to shake hands. Barnaby tries to remain stoic and Winter tries not to laugh. The audience gets to see Pat's buttocks in full.
- Sauna of Death: A saboteur attacking a glamping site smashes the control on the Everett's sauna, trapping Ronnie Everett inside to almost be cooked alive.
- Shout-Out: The pub name and sign "The Lamb" with a wolf's head is a clear tribute to the pub (and sign) "The Slaughtered Lamb" in the 1981 movie An American Werewolf in Paris.
- Wolverine Claws: The Wolf Hunter costume worn by the murderer includes a glove mounted with a set of silver claws which they use to slash their victims.
