BBC Content and UKTV have co-commissioned a fifth series of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, with filming currently underway in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The show follows Luella Shakespeare (Jo Joyner, Ackley Bridge) and Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton, Anna and the Apocalypse) after a case brings them together and leads to them joining forces.
Joyner and Benton will reprise their roles in the new series, alongside Patrick Walshe McBride (Dracula), who plays aspiring actor and perpetual understudy Sebastian Brudenell.
“With its distinctive marriage of comedy, crime and mystery, we know Alibi viewers love Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators,” said Claire Hookway, commissioning executive for drama at UKTV. “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.”
“I’m so excited to be stepping back into Luella’s bright and fluffy shoes!” said Joyner. “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.”
The latest series of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators will premiere on Alibi in 2025, before later airing on the BBC and being available on BBC iPlayer.
