Fans of TV’s favourite cosy detectives will be delighted to hear that ‘Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators’ has been renewed for a 6th season, with filming now underway in Stratford-upon-Avon. The new season also brings a fresh face to the team, as Aruhan Galieva joins the core cast.
Produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions in Birmingham, the latest run of the much-loved drama has been co-commissioned by BBC Content and UKTV, and will premiere exclusively on UKTV’s specialist crime channel U&alibi in 2026, before airing later on the BBC and iPlayer. The news arrives while ‘Shakespeare & Hathaway’ Season 5 continues to perform strongly on U&alibi, outperforming the 52-week slot average for the channel. Seasons 1–4 are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Created by Paul Matthew Thompson and the late Jude Tindall, the series follows an unlikely duo of private investigators: hardboiled ex-cop Frank Hathaway (played by Mark Benton) and warm-hearted ex-hairdresser Lu Shakespeare (played by Jo Joyner), as they solve crimes across the cobbled streets of Stratford-upon-Avon.
In the new season, Sebastian Brudenell (played by Patrick Walshe McBride) wins his dream role in LA, leaving behind a vacancy at the agency. Enter Bea Gardiner (Aruhan Galieva), a bright and dynamic new assistant from RADA who steps in to help Lu and Frank tackle Stratford’s strangest mysteries.
Jo Joyner says: “I’m absolutely delighted to be back with Mark in beautiful Warwickshire filming the sixth series, I’m looking forward to Lu muddling her way through more mysteries – playing Luella is like slipping into a comfy pair of very bright, fluffy pink slippers!”
Mark Benton adds: “When I heard we were given the green light for series six, I was thrilled. The show is very special to us. My partnership with Jo, the most wonderful crew and a script full of warmth, comedy and mystery. What a joy!”
The series is produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions for the BBC and UKTV. Executive Producers are Neil Irvine for BBC Studios, Helen Munson for the BBC, and Claire Hookway, Commissioning Executive for UKTV. Mat McHale serves as Series Producer, and Lyn Washbrook as Script Producer. BBC Studios will handle global distribution.
Claire Hookway, Commissioning Executive, Drama, UKTV, says: “Our U&alibi viewers love the quirky, crime-fighting chemistry between Lu and Frank, played brilliantly by Mark Benton and Jo Joyner. We can’t wait to see more of their mismatched detective duo back in Stratford-upon-Avon in yet another series and we’re thrilled to be introducing Aruhan Galieva to the team as the excitable Bea.”
Helen Munson, Commissioner for BBC Daytime, adds: “The gang are back! Lou and Frank are at their crime solving best as they return to the cobbled streets of Stratford. I’m delighted to be working with the team at BBC Studios in Birmingham again, delivering more brilliantly crafted crime mysteries, with a good dose of the humour!!”
Deborah Sathe, Creative Director for BBC Studios Drama Productions, comments: “Shakespeare and Hathaway are BACK! We are so delighted to welcome back our cast and crew to Stratford Upon Avon. Our brilliant Executive Producer Neil Irvine has so many exciting stories planned to entertain our loyal, growing, global audience, including love affairs and hypnotists and the best Shakespeare landmarks Stratford Upon Avon can offer!”
The fifth season of ‘Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators’ continues on U&alibi on Wednesdays at 8pm, with Season 6 set to debut in 2026.
‘Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators’ Season 6 does not yet have a premiere date but will air on U&alibi in the UK. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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