TV’s most charming detective drama”* Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators is returning for its sixth series, with filming starting this week in Stratford-Upon-Avon and Aruhan Galieva steps into the spotlight as the newest member of the Shakespeare & Hathaway core cast.
The new series of the hugely popular cosy-crime drama, produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions in Birmingham, is a co-commission by BBC Content and UKTV, and will premiere exclusively on UKTV’s specialist crime drama channel, U&alibi in 2026, before launching later on the BBC and iPlayer. The news comes as series five is currently airing on U&alibi, much to the delight of viewers, and which is outperforming the 52-week slot average audience for the channel. Series one to four are available on BBC iPlayer.
Created by Paul Matthew Thompson and the late Jude Tindall, the series follows an unlikely pair of private investigators, hardboiled ex-cop Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton), and warm-hearted ex-hairdresser Lu Shakespeare (Jo Joyner), as they work the cobbled streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, solving thrilling cases and murders most foul. This series sees Sebastian Brudenell (Patrick Walshe McBride) win his dream role in LA, so he drafts in his old friend from RADA. Enter Bea Gardiner (Aruhan Galieva), a fresh face and dynamic new addition to the team, stepping into the role of assistant.
Jo Joyner says: “I’m absolutely delighted to be back with Mark in beautiful Warwickshire filming the sixth series, I’m looking forward to Lu muddling her way through more mysteries - playing Luella is like slipping into a comfy pair of very bright, fluffy pink slippers!”
Mark Benton says: “When I heard we were given the green light for series six, I was thrilled. The show is very special to us. My partnership with Jo, the most wonderful crew and a script full of warmth, comedy and mystery. What a joy!”
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators is produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions for the BBC and UKTV. Executive Producers are Neil Irvine for BBC Studios, Helen Munson for the BBC and Claire Hookway, Commissioning Executive, Drama, for UKTV. Mat McHale is Series Producer and Lyn Washbrook is Script Producer. BBC Studios are handling global sales.
Claire Hookway, Commissioning Executive, Drama, UKTV, says: "Our U&alibi viewers love the quirky, crime-fighting chemistry between Lu and Frank, played brilliantly by Mark Benton and Jo Joyner. We can’t wait to see more of their mismatched detective duo back in Stratford-upon-Avon in yet another series and we’re thrilled to be introducing Aruhan Galieva to the team as the excitable Bea.”
Helen Munson, Commissioner for BBC Daytime, says: “The gang are back! Lou and Frank are at their crime solving best as they return to the cobbled streets of Stratford. I’m delighted to be working with the team at BBC Studios in Birmingham again, delivering more brilliantly crafted crime mysteries, with a good dose of the humour!!”
Deborah Sathe, Creative Director for BBC Studios Drama Productions, says: “Shakespeare and Hathaway are BACK!We are so delighted to welcome back our cast and crew to Stratford Upon Avon.Our brilliant Executive Producer Neil Irvine has so many exciting stories planned to entertain our loyal, growing, global audience, including love affairs and hypnotists and the best Shakespeare landmarks Stratford Upon Avon can offer!”
The fifth series of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators is currently on U&alibi on Wednesdays at 8pm. Series six will launch in 2026.
*https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a68058105/shakespeare-and-hathaway-private-investigators-u-and-alibi/
For more information, please contact:
Shannon Bulmer, Publicist, UKTV
Notes for Editors:
About U&ALIBI
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U&alibi is dedicated to TV crime drama. It inspects the best selection of UK premiere hit series and worldwide favourites including Annika, The Red King, Miss Scarlet, and Death in Paradise.
U&alibi is the only TV channel dedicated to crime drama, investigating the best selection from the genre and premiering hit series from around the world such as CSI: Vegas, So Help Me Todd, Dark Winds and Black Sands.
U&alibi’s offering of U&Original crime drama series give viewers guaranteed thrills, twists and turns through hit shows including Annika, starring Nicola Walker, Traces, starring Molly Windsor and Martin Compston and We Hunt Together, starring Eve Myles and Babou Ceesay. Sophie Rundle also leads the cast in Barcelona-set drama, The Diplomat, while Anjli Mohindra, Marc Warren and Adjoa Andoh star in The Red King, from writer Toby Whithouse. 2025 will see series premieres of new seriesI, Jack Wright, Bookish and Mudtown.
U&alibi is also home to fan favourites, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Murdoch Mysteries and Hudson and Rex, and gives viewers another chance to catch hugely popular British crime dramas including Death in Paradise, Father Brown and Silent Witness.
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