‘Better Than Midsomer Murders?!’ The Cozy Crime Drama With an 89% Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Back — Jo Joyner & Mark Benton Return in Season 5 of Shakespeare & Hathaway, Bringing Murder, Mischief, and Mystery to Stratford-upon-Avon!
‘Better Than Midsomer Murders?!’ The Cozy Crime Drama With an 89% Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Back — Jo Joyner & Mark Benton Return in Season 5 of Shakespeare & Hathaway, Bringing Murder, Mischief, and Mystery to Stratford-upon-Avon!
The world of detective dramas is crowded — Midsomer Murders, Vera, Endeavour — but every once in a while, a sleeper hit sneaks in, wins hearts, and refuses to let go. That’s exactly what happened with Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, the BBC’s unlikely, addictive, and utterly charming detective series that has quietly built a cult following since its 2018 debut. And now, in news that has fans buzzing louder than Stratford’s summer tourists, the hit drama is back with its long-awaited fifth season — and sooner than anyone expected.
Set your calendars, detective fans: Season 5 premieres Wednesday, September 24, at 8 PM on U&Alibi, with episodes also available on demand via Sky, Virgin Media, and NOW.
With an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and glowing reviews from critics who call it “the perfect blend of cozy comedy and dark crime twists,” this new season might just push the series into legendary status. Could it really be better than Midsomer Murders? Here’s everything you need to know about why fans are saying yes.
The Charm of an Unlikely Duo
At the heart of the show are Jo Joyner (Ackley Bridge, Little Disasters) as warm-hearted ex-hairdresser Luella Shakespeare, and Mark Benton (Waterloo Road, Smoggie Queens) as grumpy ex-cop turned private eye Frank Hathaway.
They’re polar opposites: she’s bubbly, optimistic, and fiercely determined; he’s cynical, world-weary, and permanently unimpressed. But together, they’ve become one of television’s most unlikely — and most beloved — detective pairings.
As HELLO!’s TV critic Abby Allen puts it:
“With so many detective dramas out there, it’s often hard to choose which to watch first – but Shakespeare & Hathaway is perfect for fans of Midsomer Murders who want both comedy and crime. And with Jo Joyner and Mark Benton at the helm, it’s an ideal pick now that the nights are drawing in.”
Season 5 promises to put their chemistry to the test like never before.
Season 5: Murder, Mischief, and Madness in Stratford-upon-Avon
The new season’s synopsis reads like a greatest-hits album of cozy crime chaos:
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The Duo Reunited: Grumpy Frank and good-natured Lu have gone their separate ways — until fate (and a shocking case) forces them back together. Alongside their flamboyant assistant Sebastian Brudenell (played by Patrick Walshe McBride), the team reforms just in time to stumble into mayhem.
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A Retreat Gone Wrong: What should have been a harmless team-building retreat turns into a nightmare when a client is electrocuted before their eyes. Cue suspicion, secrets, and paintball guns in the woods.
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A Murder Mystery School Reunion: Old flames resurface when Frank’s ex-girlfriend re-enters the picture — but romance takes a back seat when the group is trapped in an isolated mansion with a killer lurking in the shadows.
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Horror-upon-Avon: Stratford’s annual horror convention gets too real when a film director is murdered, supposedly by his own monstrous creations. Suddenly, Frank and Lu aren’t just solving a case — they’re starring in their own horror movie.
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The Stolen House: Returning from holiday, Lu is shocked to find her entire house stolen out from under her. Frank, Sebastian, and their tech-whizz ally Spider must race against time to track the culprit before she loses everything.
And if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a mystery saboteur working in the shadows — someone determined to destroy the Shakespeare & Hathaway agency once and for all.
The Cast: Familiar Faces and Intriguing Guests
Of course, Joyner and Benton lead the charge with their deliciously mismatched banter, but Season 5 also brings a glittering list of guest stars. Among them:
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Christine Bottomley (Sherwood)
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Ciarán Griffiths (Coronation Street)
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Tanya Franks (Broadchurch)
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Kacey Ainsworth (Grantchester)
Plus appearances from Guy Henry, Fiona Button, Michael Higgs, Emily Head, and more. Expect scene-stealing performances and plenty of red herrings.
Why Fans Can’t Get Enough
Since its debut, Shakespeare & Hathaway has carved out its own lane in the crowded detective TV world. Unlike the grim grit of Line of Duty or the heavy drama of Broadchurch, it blends lighthearted humor with clever mysteries, making it the kind of series you can binge with a cup of tea — and still get a satisfying, edge-of-your-seat whodunit.
The setting — Stratford-upon-Avon — adds another layer of charm. The cobblestone streets, Tudor houses, and Shakespearean echoes give every episode a cozy, storybook backdrop. But don’t be fooled: behind the pretty scenery lies murder, betrayal, and enough twists to keep even seasoned crime fans guessing.
Rotten Tomatoes’ 89% score proves it’s not just a guilty pleasure — it’s a bona fide critical darling.
Will Season 5 Put It on the Map?
Despite rave reviews, the series has often flown under the radar compared to giants like Midsomer Murders. But this season feels different.
The storylines are bolder, the cases twistier, and the stakes higher. With the rise of streaming, international audiences are also discovering the show, many comparing it favorably to the most iconic British crime dramas.
Some fans are even saying it out loud: “This is better than Midsomer Murders.”
Final Verdict: Cozy, Clever, and Addictive as Ever
So, is Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators the next great British crime franchise? Season 5 might be the one to prove it.
With Jo Joyner and Mark Benton back at the helm, a lineup of clever mysteries, and just the right dose of comedy, it’s the perfect binge for autumn nights. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering the show, the new season promises everything you love about cozy crime — with enough twists to keep you up late hitting “next episode.”
As Frank and Lu chase killers, saboteurs, and even stolen houses, one thing is certain: Stratford-upon-Avon has never been deadlier… or more fun.
Season 5 premieres September 24 at 8 PM on U&Alibi. Don’t miss it.