Shakespeare & Hathaway's Patrick Walshe McBride reveals deeply personal reason his character Sebastian has been replaced in S6
Fans aren't happy and are threatening to boycott the cosy crime series
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators will soon be back on our screens with a series 6, but Patrick Walshe McBride’s Sebastian Brudenell will be replaced with a new sidekick.
It’s a bitter blow for fans of the show, who have been devastated by the news. Some have been so upset, they have even threatened to boycott the show.
The upcoming episodes will air on U&Alibi before any other channel in the UK, and it’s coming soon. But while Mark Benton and Jo Joyner will be back as mismatched detectives Frank Hathaway and Lu Shakespeare, their sidekick Sebastian will be noticeably absent.
And, now, in an TVGuide.co.uk exclusive, actor Patrick Walshe McBride has revealed the real reason he’s been replaced in Shakespeare & Hathaway series 6.
Is Patrick Walshe McBride’s Sebastian in Shakespeare & Hathaway series 6?
Jo Joyner and Mark Benton will be back for more episodes of Shakespeare & Hathaway in series 6 at the end of September. But U&Alibi has confirmed that Patrick Walshe McBride is taking a step back.
A synopsis for the upcoming series says: “Love is in the air when Lu Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway investigate a rather unique dating agency. Meanwhile, Lu gets word that her sister Lia is getting married. Could handsome stranger Cassius make the perfect plus one for the wedding?
“Meanwhile Sebastian’s acting dreams may be about to come true, and we meet enthusiastic new assistant Bea Gardiner who is keen to make a good impression.”
In Shakespeare & Hathaway series 6, viewers will see Patrick’s character Sebastian Brudenell win his dream role in LA… So sadly, this means he’ll be largely absent. However, he drafts in his old friend from RADA to help…
Who will replace Sebastian in Shakespeare and Hathaway?
In Shakespeare & Hathaway series 6, viewers will see Patrick Walshe McBride’s character Sebastian Brudenell leave the cobbled streets of Stratford-upon-Avon for an exciting new chapter in the States.
However, he drafts in his old friend from RADA to help… Enter Bea Gardiner who steps into the role of assistant. Claire Hookway, Commissioning Executive for Drama at UKTV, describes Bea as a “fresh face and dynamic new addition to the team”.
U&Alibi are “thrilled” to welcome Aruhan Galieva to the team as the excitable Bea. Fledging actress Aruhan Galieva steps into the spotlight as the newest member of the Shakespeare & Hathaway core cast.
She’s best known for playing Besa Kotti in BBC medical drama Doctors, a role she played between
Why is Patrick Walshe McBride leaving Shakespeare & Hathaway?
In a statement to TVGuide.co.uk, 39-year-old Patrick shared the motive behind his decision to take a step back from the series. Patrick recently had some “exciting personal news” and felt the time was right to focus on this important new chapter of his life.
Patrick told us: “Shakespeare and Hathaway means a lot to me. We have an absolute blast making it and, after five series (and counting), the cast, crew and audience all feel a bit like family. This time around I had a new arrival in my real-life family to contend with, but it was a joy to drop by and pop up when I could.”
It’s all very cryptic from Patrick, who is remarkably private off-screen. Pardon us for jumping to the happy conclusion that he and his partner have had a baby. If so, congratulations Patrick!
Is he leaving Shakespeare and Hathaway?
Patrick Walshe McBride’s character Sebastian Brudenell is largely absent in series 6 of Shakespeare & Hathaway. But it might not be forever.
Although the show has replaced Sebastian’s character with new assistant Bea, he may be back in the future. A spokesperson for U&Alibi told us: “Patrick is in series 6, but not consistently throughout the series. He pops up here and there!”
They were also keen to make it clear it was not a “permanent goodbye”.
‘They should give Sebastian his own series’
Fans of the cosy crime series expressed their sadness over Sebastian’s much smaller role in series 6. One said: “Without Sebastian, it will now be something I may watch if I run out of shows to watch.”
Another said: “Not Sebastian! He’s my favourite. He totally totally made the show!”
A third added: “Sebastian was, in some ways, the main draw of the show for me. He was quirky and fun. An integral part of the show and I feel the change won’t improve the show.”
“I won’t be watching it without Sebastian,” said another. “It just won’t be the same without him.”
“They should give Sebastian his own series,” suggested another fan.
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