What Is Fiona Dolman Doing Now

I was scrolling through my Instagram feed last week, half-watching a video of a dog stealing a birthday cake, when I stopped dead. There, in a sun-drenched kitchen, was Fiona Dolman, looking exactly as you’d expect—elegant, warm, and utterly unbothered by the flour on her apron. She was making sourdough, humming something that sounded suspiciously like a sea shanty. I nearly spat out my tea. Wasn’t she, you know, supposed to be solving murders somewhere?

If you’re like me, your brain has Fiona Dolman permanently parked in the village of Midsomer, where she played the quietly formidable Sarah Barnaby. But here’s the thing: actors are not their characters. Shocking, I know. And Fiona Dolman, the woman behind the calm detective wife, has been living a life that’s surprisingly… normal. And I mean that in the best possible way.

So, what is Fiona Dolman doing now? Let’s peel back the curtain, shall we?

From Midsomer to the Garden Shed

Right now, Fiona Dolman is likely doing something you’d never expect from a TV star: gardening. Not the “potted herbs on a balcony” kind, either. We’re talking full-on, hands-in-the-soil, “why-is-this-carrot-so-misshapen” gardening. She’s posted photos of her vegetable patch, and honestly? It looks more productive than my entire career.

She’s also been spotted at local farmers' markets in her native Scotland. Not for a press tour, but just to buy cheese. (Side note: if you ever see a woman in a cashmere jumper haggling over a wheel of cheddar, that’s probably her. Don’t bother her; she’s on a mission.)

The irony is delicious. For nearly a decade, she played a character who embodied domestic steadiness, and now she’s living it. But don't assume retirement. Oh no. Fiona is just selective.

The Stage Door She Keeps Open

Here’s where it gets interesting—and a little bit sneaky. While we were all rewatching old Midsomer Murders episodes during lockdown, Fiona was quietly returning to her first love: theatre. She recently did a run of a play called The Unreturning in a tiny venue in Edinburgh. Tiny venue, people. No cameras. Just raw acting and a live audience.

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She said in an interview that live theatre feels like “coming home,” but she also admitted it terrifies her. (Relatable, Fiona. I feel that way about making phone calls.) It’s a brave move for a face so associated with television. She’s essentially betting that her fans will follow her into a dark room and watch her sweat for two hours.

And we will. Because that’s what we do.

What About Midsomer? Don’t Panic.

Before you start typing a furious email to the BBC, relax. Fiona hasn’t abandoned Midsomer. She’s made it clear she’ll return for special episodes or if the producers write something that “makes Sarah’s hair stand on end.” But she’s also been incredibly honest about the pace: “I can’t play a detective’s wife forever while my own garden grows weeds.” (Her garden is clearly a priority. It deserves its own Instagram account.)

Rumour has it she’s been in talks for a BBC radio drama—something dark and psychological. I’d bet my last tenner she’d be brilliant. She has that voice, you know? The kind that can read a shopping list and make it sound like a confession.

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The Deep-Rooted Side Quest She Never Talks About

Here’s a side note that made me raise an eyebrow: Fiona has been quietly working as an ambassador for mental health awareness in the arts. Not loudly. Not with a hashtag campaign. Just by visiting drama schools and talking to young actors about the loneliness of the job. It’s the kind of work that feels completely un-glamorous, which is probably why she loves it.

She said in a rare podcast appearance that acting is “a strange, nomadic life,” and that she thinks many actors feel isolated. (Insert pause where we all nod sadly.) So while she’s growing pumpkins and walking her dog (yes, she has a dog. A scruffy, adorable terrier mix named Hamish), she’s also quietly checking in on the next generation.

So, The Real Answer?

What is Fiona Dolman doing right now, as you read this? She is probably drinking a cup of tea in a mug that says something like “World’s Okayest Gardener.” She is reading a script with a red pen in hand, deciding if it’s good enough to pull her away from her compost heap. And she is, without a doubt, thoroughly enjoying the freedom of not being in a primetime crime drama every single week.

She’s not chasing fame. She’s chasing good stories and good dirt. And honestly? I envy her a little.

So next time you re-run an episode of Midsomer Murders and see her calm face, don’t feel nostalgic for a lost TV character. Just think: somewhere in Scotland, Fiona Dolman is fertilising her tomatoes and plotting her next stage role. And she’s probably smiling.