Fans of the hit BBC series Death in Paradise have found a new favourite in Channel 5's Benidorm is Murder, a 'cosy crime' thriller from Death in Paradise writer Ian Jarvis.
The show, which premiered last week, centres on Dennis Crown (John Hannah), an ex-cop who becomes a bar owner in Benidorm. When tourists start dying, he teams up with his barmaid Rosa (Carolina Bécquer), a true crime enthusiast, to solve the cases.
Cast and Second Episode
The cast includes Ariadna Cabrol as DS María Hernandez, Brian Bovell as Archie, Damian Schedler Cruz as PC Jesús Ballesteros, and Eva van der Gucht as Jackie. The second episode aired on Thursday (6 August), featuring Denise Welch as bar owner Ziggy and Alistair McGowan as 90s game show personality Vince Starky.
The synopsis reads: "At the Laughter Lounge, veteran comic Frank Mann is emceeing when his old friend, faded 90s game show star Vince Starky, blows in with younger wife Vienna. Vince's comeback dates are tanking and owner Ziggy, drowning in debt, needs them to work..." The next morning, a dead body is found on the club roof, and Dennis investigates, uncovering old grudges and buried secrets.
Viewer Reactions
Viewers have been sharing their verdicts on social media. One X user wrote: "It's hammy but I can't stop watching. Like a modern day Eldorado." Another added: "I'm actually enjoying it," while a third said: "@JohnHannah is no Miss Marple but he gets the job done."
A Reddit user noted: "The most interesting element may be the sidekick's knowledge of television detective fiction. That gives the series permission to acknowledge the formulas of Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise and even A Touch of Cloth without becoming a full parody." Another commented: "Death in Paradise type of vibe."
However, some were more critical, with one calling it "pretty bad" and another describing it as "dire." A third remarked: "A bit too slapstick for me," while someone else said: "Death in Paradise but in a massively s*** location."
Benidorm is Murder is available to stream on Channel 5.
