Shakespeare & Hathaway series 6: Release details confirmed as mismatched detectives return without key cast member
Lou and Frank are at their crime solving best as they return to the cobbled streets of Stratford
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators is coming back for a series 6 and it will air on U&Alibi before any other channel in the UK.
Cast and crew, including Mark Benton and Jo Joyner, recently filmed on the “the cobbled streets of Stratford-upon-Avon”. They’ll be back as mismatched detective duo Frank Hathaway and Lu Shakespeare.
This time, they’ll investigate a rather unique dating agency, as well as a hypnotist who persuades them into believing they have swapped bodies!
Fans recently enjoyed series 5 on U&Alibi, which will air later this year on BBC One. Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming series 6, including expected start date, cast, and plot.
Is there a series 6 of Shakespeare & Hathaway?
U&Alibi has confirmed that Jo Joyner and Mark Benton will be back for more episodes of Shakespeare & Hathaway in series 6.
Created by Paul Matthew Thompson and the late Jude Tindall, the series follows an “unlikely pair of private investigators”. Mark Benton stars as hardboiled ex-cop Frank Hathawa, who teams up with warm-hearted ex-hairdresser Lu Shakespeare (Jo Joyner).
Together they “work the cobbled streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, solving thrilling cases and murders most foul”.
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.”
Helen Munson, Commissioner for BBC Daytime, says: “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. We’ll deliver more brilliantly crafted crime mysteries, with a good dose of the humour!”
What is the plot?
Love is in the air when Lu Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway investigate a rather unique dating agency while 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.
This proves more difficult when the private investigators are faced with a series of thrilling new cases. These include Frank and Lu being hypnotised into believing they are trapped in each other’s bodies, and British Fashion Week arriving in Stratford-upon-Avon with a deadly bang.
The synopsis tells us: “Things are going well with Lu and Cassius, when we finally meet Annie, a local baker who has become close to Frank and finds herself accused of murder. There is plenty of clowning around when Frank and Lu go undercover in a commune for elderly circus performers while a film set, an etiquette school, an escape room and an A.I. Detective all bring fresh challenges. And finally, Lia’s big day arrives, but while Lu and Frank contemplate their romantic and professional futures, the groom vanishes. Is it a case of cold feet or is something more sinister going on?”
Is Patrick Walshe McBride leaving Shakespeare & Hathaway?
In Shakespeare & Hathaway series 6, viewers will see Sebastian Brudenell (Patrick Walshe McBride) win his dream role in LA… So sadly, this means he’ll be leaving the show.
However, he drafts in his old friend from RADA to help. Enter Bea Gardiner (Aruhan Galieva) who steps into the role of assistant. Claire Hookway describes her as a “fresh face and dynamic new addition to the team”.
Who’s in the cast?
U&Alibi are “thrilled” to be introducing 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
Of course, former EastEnders’ star Jo Joyner will be back as Lu Shakespeare. She 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, who returns as Frank Hathaway, 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!”
Lastly, we’re expecting lots of famous faces in the guest cast – but these haven’t yet been announced.
How to watch it and when’s the start date?
The new series of the hugely popular cosy-crime drama will premiere exclusively on UKTV’s specialist crime drama channel, U&Alibi, in September 2026.
U&Alibi is available on demand on Sky, Virgin Media and NOW. The series will subsequently launch on the BBC and iPlayer.
Series five recently aired on U&Alibi. Series one to four are currently available on BBC iPlayer, with all series available to watch on U&Alibi (via Sky, Virgin Media and NOW).
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