Channel 5's new series, "Benidorm Is Murder," aims to recapture the essence of the beloved British sitcom "Benidorm," injecting a weekly dose of homicide into its familiar holiday setting. The show, which received a five-star review, harks back to the high-rise hotels, sunburnt tourists, and mobility scooter-riding seniors that characterized the original series.
Writer Ian Jarvis has blended the atmosphere of the ITV comedy-drama with a tongue-in-cheek crime element, creating what one reviewer described as the package holiday equivalent of "Death In Paradise." The series draws on the established tropes of the cozy mystery genre, featuring karaoke, irritable hotel staff, and resort-life clichés. It aims to evoke a sense of familiarity for fans of the original "Benidorm," which ran for 11 years and featured characters like Madge, Mateo, Kenneth, Donald, and Jacqueline.
The premiere episode opened with a tribute act performing popular songs, a scenario that quickly turned sinister when one of the band members was found murdered. The episode playfully referenced the original show's characters, with suspects humorously speculated to be based on members of the pop group Take That.
John Hannah stars as Dennis, an ex-copper running a basement bar, who becomes an unlikely central figure in the investigations. He is joined by Carolina Becquer as Rosa, an out-of-work actress and his self-appointed sidekick, who is a devotee of crime shows like "Midsomer Murders" and "Murder, She Wrote." The cast also includes Ariadna Cabrol as Sergeant Hernandez, a police officer and Dennis's on-off lover.
"Benidorm Is Murder" is structured as a six-part series, with the reviewer expressing a desire for a second season based on the initial installment. The show leans heavily into its established setting and character archetypes, promising a blend of nostalgic humor and lighthearted crime-solving for its audience.