Shakespeare & Hathaway to return for Series 5

Tuesday 24th September 2024, 11:22am

Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators is to return in 2025 for Series 5
Filming is underway in Stratford-upon-Avon, with Jo Joyner, Mark Benton and Patrick Walshe McBride returning
"Expect more murder, more intrigue, and of course more comedy in Series 5"

It has been confirmed that the BBC's hit daytime comedy drama Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators is to return for a fifth series.

Filming started this week on a new set of episodes in Stratford-upon-Avon, with Jo Joyner, Mark Benton and Patrick Walshe McBride reprising their roles as Luella Shakespeare, Frank Hathaway and Sebastian Brudenell.

Now co-commissioned with the BBC Studios-owned UKTV network, Series 5 will premiere on the Alibi channel next year before airing later on BBC One.

Created by Paul Matthew Thompson and the late Jude Tindall, the comedy follows an unlikely pair of private investigators, hardboiled ex-cop Frank Hathaway (Benton), and warm-hearted ex-hairdresser Lu Shakespeare (Joyner), as they work the cobbled streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, solving thrilling cases and murders most foul.

The light-hearted detective show, which has become globally popular, was last on air in 2022, when it became the BBC's second-biggest daytime series, with an average 2.3 million viewers. It is produced by BBC Studios.

Jo Joyner says: "I'm so excited to be stepping back into Luella's bright and fluffy shoes! We have such loyal and brilliant fans who have been asking us daily if we'll ever be back, so it's wonderful to finally be able to say yes! I can't wait to see Lu, Frank and Sebastian cracking more countryside crimes whilst squabbling fondly in Series 5."

Mark Benton comments: "I'm so thrilled to be making the show again. The reaction was phenomenal and hopefully series five will be even better. I can't wait."

Patrick Walshe McBride adds: "I'm so excited to be back filming Shakespeare & Hathaway. We have so much fun making the show and we put a lot of love into it. I hope viewers will be interested to find out what the characters have been up to over the last couple of years, and will enjoy accompanying us in a new season of murder and merriment. Anyone for Earl Grey?"

Helen Munson, Commissioner for BBC Daytime says: "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."

Claire Hookway, Commissioning Executive, Drama, UKTV, says: "With its distinctive marriage of comedy, crime and mystery, we know 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 Alibi first and can't wait to see Lu and Frank back on-screen with some new twisty and thrilling mysteries to solve."

Deborah Sathe, Creative Director for BBC Studios Drama Productions, says: "BBC Studios, and the cast and crew of Shakespeare & Hathaway are so excited to be returning to Stratford-upon-Avon to film this hugely popular show. Viewers have let us know how much they have missed us so we hope they are as thrilled as we are! Frank And Lu haven't lain dormant and poor Sebastian has been overworked, but criminals of Stratford-upon-Avon beware, our super sleuths are back!"

The first four series are on iPlayer, DVD and Blu-ray.

Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators - Series 1-4

The first four series of this much-loved BBC comedy mystery series in which an oddball couple of private detectives named Luella Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway investigate crime in and around Stratford-upon-Avon.

(DI) Frank Hathaway, now a debt-laden investigator meets Luella Shakespeare when she employs him to investigate the fiancé she met online. Frank and Lu form a highly unlikely and hugely entertaining detecting duo. They quickly discover all is not as peaceful as it seems in this pretty theatre town. Vengeful lovers stalk the streets, the mayor is murdered and a magician's trick fatally misfires. Each episode forces our dynamic duo to solve another mystery with their charm and detective instinct.

First released: Monday 7th November 2022