Channel 5's detective drama Benidorm is Murder returned to screens with its second episode on Thursday (August 6), prompting a wave of mixed reactions from viewers.
The series follows a burned-out detective named Dennis (played by John Hannah), who has swapped the daily grind of the UK for a simpler life running a bar in Benidorm. When tourists start turning up dead, Dennis is reluctantly drawn back into detective work by his new barmaid, aspiring actress and crime drama superfan Rosa (played by Carolina Bécquer).
Using Dennis' real-world experience and Rosa's encyclopaedic TV knowledge, each episode sees the duo tackling a new murder while trying to stay on the right side of the Spanish cops.
Second Episode Features Guest Stars
In the latest instalment, a rooftop corpse was found, with Dennis uncovering suspicious clues while Rosa unearthed grudges, debts and secrets. Loose Women star Denise Welch guest starred as Ziggy, the owner of Benidorm Palace, while comedian and actor Alistair McGowan played faded 90s game show star Vince Starky.
Viewer Reactions Split on Social Media
Viewers were quick to share their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), with many issuing complaints. One person wrote: "#BenidormisMurder is pretty bad, isn't it?! Not quite as bad as #TheGoodShipMurder, but very nearly!!" while another felt it was "dire". A Reddit user added: "A bit too slapstick for me," and a third said: "Death in Paradise but in a massively s*** location."
Meanwhile, others found themselves enjoying the drama. One person wrote: "It's hammy but I can't stop watching. Like a modern day Eldorado." Another commented: "Death in Paradise type of vibe," while a third shared: "I liked it, bit different, and it has got John Hannah in it, so always going to be watchable." A fourth echoed the sentiment: "Its tongue was way up in its cheek, it was full of plot holes. 5 stars!"
Cast and Creator Comments
Speaking ahead of the show's premiere, lead actor John Hannah said: "Benidorm is Murder is a gem of a show, filled with joy and humour, but there's a balance of comedy and serious emotional weight to the stories, which is testament to the writing. We have such a brilliant cast on this, everyone is pitch perfect for their roles, and I can't wait for viewers to meet Carolina who was born to play Rosa."
Benidorm is Murder is available to stream on Channel 5.
