Channel 5 has confirmed the lead casting for its upcoming detective drama “Death in Benidorm” (working title), with BAFTA-nominated actor John Hannah set to star as the series lead. The 6x60-minute crime drama, co-produced by Blackbox Multimedia and Clapperboard, is currently filming on location in Spain and is scheduled to premiere in 2026. ZDF Studios has joined the project as international distributor.
Greg Barnett commented on the casting announcement: “I am thrilled to have John Hannah on board. He’s absolutely perfect for the role of Dennis — a character with sharp intellect, dry wit, and life experience — and from what I’ve seen already, viewers will fall in love with him.”
Viviane Richard of ZDF Studios added, “'Death in Benidorm' is such a witty and charming addition to the cosy crime genre, and John Hannah truly encapsulates this. We’re thrilled to be working with Blackbox to bring these sharply written scripts to life, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world.”
Previously announced as part of Channel 5’s expanded scripted slate earlier this year, “Death in Benidorm” follows Dennis, a former detective who has traded the stress of UK policing for a quiet life running a bar on the Mediterranean coast. But his retreat is short-lived. When tourists begin turning up dead, he finds himself reluctantly pulled back into investigative work, this time with the help of his barmaid Rosa, a crime drama aficionado.
John Hannah, known for his roles in “The Last of Us,” “Black Mirror,” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” plays Dennis. Carolina Bécquer stars as Rosa, alongside Ariadna Cabrol as Maria and Damian Schedler Cruz as Jesús. The series blends classic detective storytelling with light comedic elements, positioning it firmly within the globally popular "cosy crime" genre.
“Death in Benidorm” was commissioned by Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at 5. Executive producers include Chiara Cardoso and Camilla Hammer for Blackbox Multimedia, Mike Benson and Andy Morgan for Clapperboard, and Robert Franke, VP Drama at ZDF Studios, with Viviane Richard serving as Associate Producer. The series was created by Ian Jarvis, with Simon Delaney (“Death in Paradise,” “The Young Offenders”) directing. The writing team features Yasmine Akram, Claire Downes, and Tom Parry.
With strong talent on-screen and behind the scenes, and international distribution in place, “Death in Benidorm” is positioning itself as one of Channel 5’s key scripted offerings for 2026.
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