Death in Paradise fans will be captivated by Channel 5's upcoming sun-soaked detective drama, Benidorm is Murder. The new cosy crime series, set to air on the network, promises to deliver the same blend of sunny locales and intriguing mysteries that have made the BBC's Death in Paradise a hit.
Plot and Characters
While Death in Paradise follows officers solving cases on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, Benidorm is Murder features a burned-out detective investigating deaths in Spain. John Hannah portrays Dennis, a former police officer who has left the UK for a peaceful life managing a bar in Benidorm. However, when tourists start dying, he is reluctantly drawn back into detective work, encouraged by his barmaid Rosa, a crime drama superfan played by Carolina Bécquer.
According to the synopsis, each episode sees the duo tackling a new murder in paradise while trying to stay on the right side of the local Spanish police. With Dennis's real-world experience and Rosa's encyclopaedic TV knowledge, they make a formidable team.
Cast and Production
Photographs released by Clapperboard Studios show John Hannah in character as the grumpy but brilliant Dennis, alongside Carolina Bécquer as Rosa. Additional cast members include Ariadna Cabrol as the formidable DS Maria Hernandez and Damian Schedler Cruz as inexperienced PC Jesús Ballesteros. Guest stars include Denise Welch, Alistair McGowan, and Tamzin Outhwaite.
John Hannah, known for his roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Mummy trilogy, reflected on the production, declaring it the best time. Tamzin Outhwaite also expressed her enjoyment of filming the series.
Commissioning and Reception
Greg Barnett, commissioning editor at Channel 5, expressed his thrill at having John Hannah on board, noting that he is perfect for the role of Dennis, a character with sharp intellect, dry wit, and life experience. Viviane Richard, associate producer at ZDF Studios, described the programme as a witty and charming addition to the cosy crime genre.
Benidorm is Murder is set to air on Channel 5, promising to be a delightful treat for fans of sun-soaked detective dramas.
