In order to ‘accurately’ represent Englishness, Midsomer Murders has to consist of a multitude of different aspects of the English portrayal. The main three aspects are as follows; Mise-En-Scene, Sound and Camera Angles.
Mise-En-Scene is key for putting an image, feeling or thought into the viewers conscious. It represents so many different things, and comes in so many different physical forms i.e. costume, props etc. Obviously Mise-En-Scene features heavily in Midsomer Murders, to make the audience feel as if they really have been landed in some picturesque little English ‘gem’ of a village, thriving on cricket and afternoon tea. Firstly you have the landscape, which in this case is very English. The viewer is bombarded with perfectly kept rose bushes, village greens and pretty little traditional cottages - all about to be tainted by some brutal murder. Next are the costumes of the villagers. Many of the women from Midsomer Murders tend to be of an older generation, so therefore are dressed in floral skirts/dresses or blouses and cardigans. The gentlemen are often seen in smart shirts and blazers or with a knitted jumper tied across their shoulders, these outfits are very appropriate to the countryside, giving of a pleasant and approachable vibe. Another common character is the ‘farmer type’, often sporting tweed and wellington boots - also very appropriate to the English countryside.
The second element of English representation is sound, both diegetic and non-diegetic. Much of the diegetic sounds include common sounds of the countryside; bees buzzing, birds singing and maybe the odd farm animal. However it is the non-diegetic sound that gives us more of a feel of the program. Much of this is music, often very jolly and soft - almost polite (very English).
Lastly is Camera Angles. The key angles to discuss (the only angles that really portray Englishness) are long shots and panning shots. It’s these shots in particular that give us a clear idea of Englishness; long sweeping fields, quiet country roads, wooded areas, bridle ways etc. There is maybe an odd close up to draw our attention to a particular object or person, but other than this the camera shots and angles are quite average. However camera movement may be a little more representative of Englishness. It’s consistently quite steady and slowly paced - this could be representing the Midsomer community as a whole, with their relaxed and steady pace of life.
To conclude I believe that Midsomer Murders does well to represent stereotypical Englishness (even if this particular type is a slight rarity in real life these days). People are, however, more than happy to be whisked away into the sun bathed, polite world that is Midsomers. However, if the question of versatility and accurate representation were to arise, the series is rather set in its ways, and may be considered to not be truthfully representing today’s take on Englishness.
