One thing’s for sure: murder never takes a holiday. Credit: Benidorm Ayuntamiento
Channel 5 has announced the development of Death in Benidorm, a new six-part detective drama set in the heart of Spain’s most iconic beach town. With clear echoes of Death in Paradise, the series blends sun, suspense and a touch of quirky humour, promising a fresh take on the classic whodunnit formula.
Directed by Simon Delaney, known for helming episodes of Death in Paradise, the series centres on Dennis Crown, a retired British detective who has left the chaos of UK policing behind to run a bar in Benidorm. But peace is short-lived: when holidaymakers begin turning up dead, Dennis is reluctantly pulled back into crime-solving. He’s joined by Rosa, his barmaid and an avid fan of crime dramas, whose encyclopaedic knowledge of fictional investigations makes her an unlikely but invaluable partner.
“With Dennis’s real-world experience and Rosa’s TV-inspired theories, each episode will see the pair untangling a new mystery under the Spanish sun, all while navigating the prickly cooperation of the local police,” reads the show’s official synopsis.
Original scripted content
Death in Benidorm forms part of Channel 5’s growing slate of original scripted content. Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer at Paramount UK, confirmed the show is one of six new titles the channel is developing. He described the line-up as a mix of “brand new thrillers and character-driven mysteries” aimed at satisfying audiences’ hunger for smart, escapist drama.
While casting details remain under wraps and no release date has been set, the pedigree behind the camera and the popular setting already have fans speculating. Given the success of Death in Paradise, expectations are high.
British productions
Benidorm is no stranger to British TV productions. The popular ITV comedy Benidorm ran for ten seasons, becoming a cult favourite for its portrayal of expat antics and sun-soaked mischief.
Other parts of Spain have also featured heavily in British dramas — from Mad Dogs (filmed in Mallorca) to The Night Manager, with scenes shot along the Mediterranean coast. The combination of reliable sunshine, affordable production, and familiar cultural touchpoints has made Spain an attractive backdrop for UK television, especially in genres like comedy and crime.
As fans wait for more information on Death in Benidorm, Channel 5 has urged viewers to keep an eye out for updates. Until then, fans of sun-drenched sleuthing can dive into long-running hits like Death in Paradise, or newer gems such as Bookish, the UKTV series starring Mark Gatiss as a crime-solving 1940s bookshop owner.
One thing’s for sure: murder never takes a holiday.
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