BBC Announces ‘Shakespeare & Hathaway’ Season 5

Jo Joyner, Mark Benton, Shakespeare & Hathaway - YouTube

Cozy mystery fans have waited a long time for this: the BBC announced that  Shakespeare & Hathaway is back for Season 5, or as the folks across the pond say, Series 5.

Here are all the details including who is returning for the upcoming season.

Shakespeare & Hathaway BBC Jo Joyner, Mark Benton - Instagram
Shakespeare & Hathaway BBC Jo Joyner, Mark Benton – Instagram

Shakespeare & Hathaway Season 5 Is Happening!

On Tuesday, BBC announced that Shakespeare & Hathaway Series 5 is in production. That means Jo Joyner, Mark Benton, and Patrick Welshe McBride are back for Season 5. They portray the Stratford-upon-Avon detectives Luella Shakespeare, Frank Hathaway and Sebastian Brudenell.

It has been over two years since Season 4. Therefore, all fans of cozy mysteries or British detective shows like Midsomer Murders can get excited for more fun and intriguing mysteries from this talented trio.

Jo Joyner was thrilled to reprise her role as Lu. “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.”

As for Mark Benton, he is happy to return as the hysterical Frank. “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.”

Lastly, Patrick Walshe McBride also shared his joy in returning to his role of Sebastian. “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?”

Sadly, who will not be back is Roberta Taylor who portrayed Gloria Fonteyn, costume store owner and Sebastian’s pal. Taylor died at the age of 76 on July 6, 2024.

 

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BBC Happy To Bring Back Quirky Detective Series

Shakespeare & Hathaway was the second most watched series on the BBC in 2022 when Season 4 aired. Thanks to fans, they are back for more. Deborah Sathe, the Creative Director for BBC Studios Drama Productions shared her enthusiasm for the return of this popular series. Sathe expressed hopes that the fans are as thrilled as they are to be back filming more episodes. Most of all, she acknowledged that the fans never gave up on asking for another season. “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!”

Although the network did not share a release date, fans can assume that these high-anticipated episodes will premiere sometime in 2025.

Currently, the first four seasons of Shakespeare & Hathaway are available to stream on BritBox. Mystery fans, are you happy to see Lu, Frank, and Sebastian?

Georgia Makitalo

One Comment

  1. Absolute delight fills my being… I wished for a new season of my favourite funny sleuthing trio and Voila BBC; Ya done it!!
    Thanks from a D•lighted D•voted Fangirl from way across the Pond in the Pacific Northwest USA.

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