Jo Joyner’s popular comedy-drama Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators has confirmed a return date for its new season.
The cosy series follows former hairdresser Luella Shakespeare (Joyner) and ex-cop Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) as they team up to solve crime in Stratford-upon-Avon.
It has now been confirmed that the fifth season will debut on Wednesday, 24 September at 8pm on U&Alibi.
An official teaser trailer for the upcoming run of episodes has also been shared. In the clip, we get a glimpse of the comic antics to come from the two leads. There’s the promise of some “method” to the pair’s “madness”, too.
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The new season will see the two join forces once again, having previously gone their separate ways.
BBC Studios/Gary Moyes//BBC
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Fans can expect “a remote team-building retreat, paintballing and a corporate spy”, offering “the perfect opportunity for our newly reformed gang to test their loyalties, until their client is electrocuted right in front of them”.
In the episodes, Frank is invited to a Murder Mystery School Reunion, where he bumps into an ex. However, “it’s game over when the team find themselves trapped in an isolated mansion with a killer on the loose”.
Also teased is the death of a movie director at Stratford’s annual ‘Horror-upon-Avon’ convention after “reportedly being terrorised by his own creations”. Meanwhile, Frank and Lu “find themselves starring in a horror movie of their own”, with the latter also coming back from holiday to find her house stolen.
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“But unbeknownst to our gang, something wicked this way comes… a saboteur hides in the shadows determined to destroy Shakespeare & Hathaway for good,” the synopsis further teases. “Can our gang pull together in time to find the culprit before it’s too late?”
Shakespeare & Hathaway has been largely praised by viewers, with one writing on IMDb that the “humorous script and twisty plots” make it “a joy to watch”.
Another called it “great day time fluff”, adding: “If you like a harmless sex and violence free drama, this is a perfect escape.”
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators will return on Wednesday, 24 September at 8pm on U&Alibi, and will launch on BBC and BBC iPlayer later. Seasons 1-4 are available on BBC iPlayer.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Â Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.