“TV’s most charming detective drama”: Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators makes “surprise” return

Surprise! Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators is making its return after what’s felt like a tantalisingly long wait. The fifth series of TV’s most charming detective drama is back after series 4 aired three years ago, and it’s just premiered on U&Alibi. And - in more good news! - the ultra-cosy whodunnit has a truly wicked storyline that has us very intrigued.

If you’ve not dug into any of the cosy crime series just yet, let us give you a rundown. It follows an oddball couple of private detectives - Lu Shakespeare (Jo Joyner) and Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) - who investigate crime on the streets of the picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon. And we’re gearing up for more capers from the unlikely sleuths, as in series 5 they’re set to investigate two warring social media influencers.

As we wait for Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators series 5 to arrive on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.

What is Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators about?

The beloved drama, which was first broadcast in 2018 by the BBC, follows weary ex-detective Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) who is paired with the chipper, hairdresser-turned-private-investigator Lu Shakespeare (Jo Joyner). In each episode, the mismatched pair (alongside their theatrical assistant Sebastian) take on a new case - often revolving around missing persons and small-town scams. Set in the beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon, the town and local scenery play a big part in the series, giving it a charming feel that makes for comfort-watching sleuthing.

What will happen in Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators series 5?

In this 10-episode series, we’ll see the prickly Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) and kind-hearted Lu Shakespeare (Jo Joyner) reuniting - reluctantly, that is. They’re forced to work together when they’re hired by two warring social media influencers (Christine Bottomley and Andrew Knott), and their exhausted assistant Sebastian (Patrick Walshe McBride) is caught up in the middle.

The official synopsis continues: “A remote team-building retreat, paintballing and a corporate spy offers the perfect opportunity for our newly reformed gang to test their loyalties, until their client is electrocuted right in front of them. An invitation to a Murder Mystery School Reunion reunites Frank with an ex-girlfriend, but it’s game over when the team find themselves trapped in an isolated mansion with a killer on the loose. Stratford’s annual ‘Horror-upon-Avon’ convention is rocked when a movie director is killed after reportedly being terrorised by his own creations.”

“But in their search for a killer, Frank and Lu find themselves starring in a horror movie of their own. And when Lu returns from holiday to discover her house has been stolen, Frank, Sebastian and tech whizz Spider pull out all the stops to help find the culprit before Lu loses everything. But unbeknownst to our gang, something wicked this way comes… a saboteur hides in the shadows determined to destroy Shakespeare & Hathaway for good. Can our gang pull together in time to find the culprit before it’s too late?”

Speaking to the Radio Times, Jo Joyner voiced her excitement for the drama’s return. “I must admit more than any other show I've ever done, even EastEnders, [Shakespeare and Hathaway] is the one thing that the public asked me all the time about. I'd say everyday, I get a DM or a message about it, whether it's coming back or not. So I know that I was speaking to some press recently this year and I knew by then that it was probably coming back, I was bursting to say something."

When the new series was given the go-ahead last year, BBC Daytime commissioner Helen Munson said: “I’m delighted that Shakespeare and Hathaway are back! Expect more murder, more intrigue, and of course more comedy in series 5, as Lu and Frank once again solve crimes in beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon.”

While U&Alibi’s Commissioning Executive Claire Hookway added: “With its distinctive marriage of comedy, crime and mystery, we know U&Alibi viewers love Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators. We’re delighted to have this opportunity to treat them to the further adventures of this much-loved pairing on U&Alibi first and can’t wait to see Lu and Frank back on-screen with some new twisty and thrilling mysteries to solve.”

Who’s in the cast of Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators series 5?

The cast of Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators series 5 includes:

• Jo Joyner (Stay Close) as Lu Shakespeare
• Mark Benton (Waterloo Road) as Frank Hathaway
• Patrick Walshe McBride (Death on the Nile) as Sebastian Brudenell
• Jake Kenny-Byrne as Curtis Minoff
• Derek Griffiths as Mr Gremio
• Christine Bottomley as Rina Shrewsbury
• Andrew Knott as Preston Shrewsbury

We're expecting further cast details to be released soon, so watch this space for more news as we have it.

Is Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators any good?

Yes - it’s a warm and funny detective drama with addictive, self-contained mysteries! Series 4 was BBC’s second biggest daytime series in 2022, and it’s been a huge hit with Father Brown and Sister Boniface Mysteries fans.

How can I watch Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators series 5?

Great news! Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators series 5 has already returned - as series 5 premiered yesterday, Wednesday 24th September at 8pm on U&Alibi. It will launch at a later date on the BBC and iPlayer. You can also watch series 1 to 4 on BBC iPlayer now.