In the quaint, timber-framed streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, where the ghost of William Shakespeare still seems to wander the half-timbered houses and swan-dotted riverbanks, a new wave of cozy crime is about to wash over television screens. On September 24, 2025, UKTV’s Alibi channel will premiere the fifth season of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, the beloved British mystery comedy-drama that’s been charming audiences since its debut in 2018. Starring the incomparable Jo Joyner and Mark Benton as the unlikely detective duo Luella Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway, this ten-episode run promises more pun-filled plots, dark twists lurking beneath idyllic facades, and that irresistible binge-worthy allure that has fans declaring it “better than Midsomer Murders!” With an impressive 89% Rotten Tomatoes score across its seasons, the series is set to reunite estranged partners in mischief, delivering a cocktail of laughter, intrigue, and just enough menace to keep viewers glued to their sofas.

For the uninitiated, Shakespeare & Hathaway follows the mismatched adventures of Frank Hathaway, a grizzled ex-detective inspector who’s traded his badge for a rundown private investigation firm buried in debt, and Luella “Lu” Shakespeare, a warm-hearted former hairdresser with an unerring instinct for trouble. Their partnership begins in the pilot episode when Lu hires Frank to vet her online fiancé, only for the wedding to turn deadly—leaving her as the prime suspect in his murder. Cleared of wrongdoing, Lu invests her life savings in Frank’s agency, birthing the eponymous outfit. Assisted by the flamboyantly theatrical Sebastian Brudenell (Patrick Walshe McBride), a RADA-trained actor whose disguises range from dodgy plumbers to posh aristocrats, the trio tackles cases that blend Shakespearean flair with everyday Stratford shenanigans. From poisoned chalices to forged folios, their investigations often riff on the Bard’s works—think “much ado about murder” or “exit, pursued by a bear”—turning the Bard’s birthplace into a playground of peril and puns.

What elevates Shakespeare & Hathaway from standard procedural fare is its unapologetic embrace of the cozy mystery genre, where the crimes are clever but never gratuitous, and the emphasis is on character chemistry over gore. Set against the postcard-perfect Warwickshire countryside—rolling green hills, thatched cottages, and the Avon River’s gentle curve—the show contrasts its sunny visuals with shadowy secrets, much like a cream tea hiding a bitter twist. Episodes clock in at a brisk 45 minutes, perfect for afternoon tea-time viewing, yet pack enough twists to rival prime-time thrillers. The humor is dry and delightfully British: Frank’s world-weary sarcasm bounces off Lu’s optimistic chatter, while Sebastian’s over-the-top theatrics provide comic relief, often stealing scenes with his wardrobe malfunctions or impromptu soliloquies.

Jo Joyner, best known for her long stint as Tanya Branning in EastEnders, brings a radiant vulnerability to Lu, portraying her as the emotional heart of the team—a woman who’s equal parts intuitive sleuth and hopeless romantic, forever chasing whimsy amid the grim. Her chemistry with Mark Benton, the portly, perpetually exasperated Frank (familiar from Waterloo Road and Early Man), is the series’ secret sauce. Benton imbues Frank with a lovable gruffness, his deadpan delivery landing every quip like a well-aimed dart. “Frank’s the yin to Lu’s yang,” Joyner said in a recent interview, “he’s all procedure and pessimism, she’s intuition and hope. It’s like watching a grumpy uncle warm up to his favorite niece—endlessly entertaining.” Walshe McBride’s Sebastian rounds out the core trio with gleeful eccentricity; his character’s arc from hapless assistant to indispensable ally adds layers of loyalty and levity, making him the glue that holds their chaotic operation together.

The supporting ensemble is a who’s-who of British telly talent, each guest turn a mini-masterclass in scene-stealing. Recurring figures like DI Christina Marlowe (Amber Aga), Frank’s no-nonsense former colleague who’s equal parts ally and adversary, inject procedural tension, while suspects range from eccentric vicars to scheming solicitors. Season 5 introduces fresh faces: Emily Taaffe as a feisty local journalist with a nose for scandal, Robbie Gee as a shady antiques dealer peddling cursed relics, and Sophie Thompson (Emma in Four Weddings and a Funeral) as a dowager duchess harboring family skeletons. Directors like John MacKenzie and Rachel Koppelman helm episodes with a light touch, ensuring the visuals pop—golden-hour shots of Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church framing interrogations, or misty canal paths setting the stage for nocturnal chases.

Season 5 picks up threads from the Season 4 finale, where Frank and Lu’s partnership hit rock bottom after a botched case exposed deep-seated trust issues. Frank, still nursing grudges from his police days, had accused Lu of recklessness, leading to a dramatic split that left Sebastian playing reluctant mediator. Now, fate forces their reunion: a high-profile case involving a bickering married couple—one a renowned Shakespeare scholar, the other a cutthroat theater producer—whose domestic spat escalates into attempted murder. As the duo dusts off their magnifying glasses, they uncover a conspiracy tied to a long-lost First Folio manuscript, rumored to be hidden in Stratford’s underbelly. Subplots weave in Sebastian’s budding romance with a rival PI, Frank’s flirtation with retirement (and a surprise health scare), and Lu’s quest for work-life balance amid her meddling family.

Episode highlights tease escalating absurdity and heart. In “The Swan Unmasked,” the team hunts Stratford’s vigilante superhero—a masked figure dubbed “The Swan” for swooping in on petty crimes—who’s accidentally sabotaging their ops. Turns out, the caped crusader is no hero but a fame-hungry influencer with a grudge. “Horror in the Wings” sees them probing threats against a horror film director haunted by his own prop monster, blending meta-commentary on Stratford’s film scene with genuine chills. Later installments dive darker: a poisoning at a Renaissance fair echoes Macbeth‘s witches, while a missing persons case reveals a cultish acting troupe staging real betrayals. Amid the mayhem, themes of redemption and resilience shine—Frank confronts his past failures, Lu grapples with vulnerability, and Sebastian questions his perpetual understudy status. Writers Paul Matthew Thompson (co-creator) and Jude Tindall’s spirit infuse every script with wit, ensuring twists feel earned and laughs land gently.

Critics and fans alike have crowned Shakespeare & Hathaway a gem in the cozy crime crown, often pitting it favorably against Midsomer Murders. “If Midsomer is the village fete with a body in the marquee, Shakespeare & Hathaway is the witty after-party—sharper, funnier, and twice as bingeable,” raved The Guardian in a recent retrospective. The 89% Rotten Tomatoes fresh rating, buoyed by audience scores hovering at 92%, reflects its broad appeal: Season 1’s 85% critics’ score praised the “effortless charm,” while later seasons climbed higher for bolder storytelling. Viewers on platforms like BritBox and BBC iPlayer devour it for the escapism—”pure comfort TV with a killer edge,” one Redditor gushed—outpacing even Father Brown in daytime demographics. Social media buzz is electric; #ShakespeareAndHathaway trends weekly, with fans sharing fan art of Lu’s iconic red Mini Cooper (affectionately dubbed “the hairdryer on wheels” by Frank) and theorizing plot twists.

Production on Season 5 wrapped in late August 2025 after a smooth shoot in Stratford’s cobbled lanes and surrounding Cotswolds, despite unseasonal rains that only added to the atmospheric fog. Co-commissioned by BBC Studios and UKTV, the series benefits from a creative team that’s honed its craft: executive producer Will McPhail ensures the Shakespeare nods feel organic, not gimmicky, while composer Debbie Wiseman’s jaunty score—flutes and fiddles evoking Elizabethan revels—ties it all together. Filmed on location, the show boosts local tourism; visitors flock to Hathaway’s fictional office (a real Tudor-era building) for selfies, turning Stratford into a live-action mystery map.

Yet, beneath the froth, Shakespeare & Hathaway sneaks in poignant bites. It explores modern anxieties—online scams, identity fraud, the gig economy’s precarity—through a lens of gentle optimism, reminding us that even in a world of cons and cover-ups, human connection prevails. Frank’s arc, in particular, evolves from cynical loner to reluctant mentor, his growth mirroring Benton’s own career pivot from comedy to nuanced drama. Joyner, too, shines in quieter moments, her Lu embodying the quiet strength of women who rebuild after heartbreak.

As Alibi drops the full season on-demand via Sky and NOW from premiere night, followed by BBC One airings and iPlayer streaming later in October, expect a surge in cozy crime converts. Previous seasons topped BBC daytime charts, with Season 4 drawing 3.2 million viewers—proof that in an era of gritty Scandi-noirs and true-crime pods, there’s still room for a show that pairs peril with a pot of tea. Whether you’re a Bard buff, a Midsomer loyalist, or just craving uncomplicated thrills, Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators Season 5 is the antidote to autumn blues. Tune in, settle back, and let Frank, Lu, and Sebastian remind you: in Stratford, every ending is but a new beginning—and the plot’s always thicker than you think.