‘Death in Benidorm’ Becomes ‘Benidorm Is Murder’
Commissioned in 2025, 'Benidorm is Murder' heads to 5 as it premieres the first teaser.
It’s always fascinating how long it takes to make a TV series, from the time it’s commissioned to its debut. Take police procedural/dramedy Cooper & Fry: originally announced in June 2025, the series premiered that November, and just received its Season 2 commission in July 2026. Now, compare that to police procedural dramedy Benidorm is Murder. It was initially announced under the working title Death in Benidorm as part of the same June 2025 slate that included Cooper & Fry. However, the series has only just released its first teaser and confirmed the full cast (and real title) for Season 1, and is currently only listed as “premiering before the end of 2026.”
The name change was most likely inevitable. Despite the production and 5’s desire to tie the show into Death in Paradise*, it actually has nothing to do with the BBC franchise, other than being about a grumpy white dude stuck solving crimes in the sunshine.
(*The marketing literally called it “Death in Paradise-style spinoff series,” which is asking for someone to misread.)
Not that making a “Death in Paradise-style” series is a bad idea or anything. Since BritBox secured the rights to all the different spinoffs, there’s certainly an opening on other streaming services to pick this up as their pseudo-Paradise variant. It’s just a question of which one.
Here’s the series synopsis:
Dennis is a burned-out detective who has swapped the daily grind of the U.K. for a simpler life running a bar in Benidorm. When tourists start turning up dead, Dennis is reluctantly drawn back into detective work by his new barmaid, aspiring actress, and crime-drama superfan Rosa. Her enthusiasm and determination to prove herself pull Dennis out of his bar and into the action.
Using Dennis’ real-world experience and showcasing Rosa’s encyclopedic TV knowledge, each episode sees the duo tackling a new murder, whilst trying to stay on the right side of the Spanish cops.
Carolina Bécquer, John Hannah, Damian Schedler Cruz, and Ariadna Cabrol in 'Benidorm is Murder' (5)
John Hannah (The Last of Us) stars as Dennis, with Carolina Bécquer (8 Years) as Rosa. The ensemble also includes Ariadna Cabrol (Iron Reign) as DS Maria Hernandez, and Damian Schedler Cruz (Still So Awkward) as PC Jesús Ballesteros. The series also features PBS favorite Brian Bovell (Miss Scarlet) as Archie, the local poet-philosopher.
Crime-of-the-week series are guest star havens. For its inaugural outing, Benidorm is Murder will feature Denise Welch (Tip Toe), Alistair McGowan (Leonardo) and Tamzin Outhwaite (The Tower).
Brian Bovell and Carolina Bécquer in 'Benidorm is Murder' (5)
Ian Jarvis (The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin) created the series and acts as lead writer, with Yasmin Akram, Claire Downes, and Tom Parry also penning episodes. Director Simon Delaney (Death in Paradise) is lead director, with Dermot Boyd (The Madame Blanc Mysteries) helming installments as well. Chiara Cardoso & Camilla Hammer executive produce for Blackbox Multimedia, with Mike Benson & Andy Morgan for Clapperboard, plus Rodrigo Herrera Ibarguengoytia & Viviane Richard for ZDF Studios.
Benidorm is Murder is expected to premiere on 5 before the end of the year. It does not yet have an American distributor.
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