A new six-part crime drama titled *Benidorm Is Murder* has premiered on Channel 5, introducing viewers to a blend of mystery and humor set along the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The series centers on Dennis, played by John Hannah, a former detective who has left the UK to run a bar in Benidorm. When a member of a Take That tribute band is found dead, the story unfolds with Dennis reluctantly drawn into investigating the case.

The plot begins with the victim’s body discovered in a hotel swimming pool, a scenario familiar to fans of classic mystery settings such as *Death in Paradise*. The local police detective, Maria, portrayed by Ariadna Cabrol, quickly suspects one of the bandmates. Meanwhile, Rosa, the barmaid and Dennis’s local confidante, expressed by Carolina Bécquer, challenges this assumption by asserting the suspect's innocence, motivating Dennis to delve deeper into the investigation.

The series balances traditional crime drama elements with a lighthearted tone, incorporating meta references to iconic mystery shows like *Miss Marple* and *Murder, She Wrote* through Rosa’s enthusiasm for such stories. It also plays on the humor of its own premise by focusing on a murder involving a tribute boy band, adding a self-aware and comedic dimension to the narrative.

Critics have noted that while the show uses familiar crime drama tropes, this sense of fun and self-awareness helps distinguish it from typical procedurals. The chemistry between Hannah’s troubled ex-officer character and Bécquer’s determined local companion provides a dynamic core to the series, as they work together to solve mysteries in the sunny Spanish setting.

*Benidorm Is Murder* combines cozy crime drama conventions with a Mediterranean backdrop and witty storytelling, targeting viewers who enjoy both mystery and character-driven plots. The six-episode series airs at 9 p.m. on Channel 5.