Series synopsis
Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators is a British comedy drama mystery television series that premiered on BBC One on February 26, 2018. It was created by Jude Tindall, Paul Matthew Thompson. It stars Jo Joyner, Mark Benton, Patrick Walshe McBride and Amber Agar.
Frank Hathaway, a hardboiled private investigator, and his rookie sidekick Lu Shakespeare form the unlikeliest of partnerships as they investigate the secrets of rural Warwickshire's residents.
Premise
Frank Hathaway, a hardboiled private investigator, and his rookie sidekick Lu Shakespeare form the unlikeliest of partnerships as they investigate the secrets of rural Warwickshire's residents.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Jo Joyner as Luella Shakespeare
- Mark Benton as Frank Hathaway
- Patrick Walshe McBride as Sebastian Brudenell
- Amber Agar as DI Marlowe
- Yasmin Kaur Barn as PC Viola Deacon
- Tomos Eames as DS Joe Keeler
- Ciarán Griffiths as Billy 'The Brick' Porter
- Julia Deakin as Genevieve Shakespeare
Supporting cast
- Melanie Gutteridge as Veronica Vinten
- Nigel Whitmey as Clive Brenton
- Nia Gwynne as Janice Bardolph
- Vicki Pepperdine as Penelope Pincott
- Sarah Ridgeway as Soozie Honeywell
- Sheila Steafel as Dora Bentley
- Ian Hughes as Owain Pincott
- Timothy West as Johnny Falstaff
- Gray O'Brien as Ian Mcclurgy
- Richard Lumsden as Peter Quintus
- Vicky Hall as Anne Quintus
- Chris Brazier as Mr R
Guest cast
- Tomos Eames as DS Joe Keeler
- Ciarán Griffiths as Billy 'The Brick' Porter
- Julia Deakin as Genevieve Shakespeare
- Melanie Gutteridge as Veronica Vinten
- Nigel Whitmey as Clive Brenton
- Nia Gwynne as Janice Bardolph
- Vicki Pepperdine as Penelope Pincott
- Sarah Ridgeway as Soozie Honeywell
- Sheila Steafel as Dora Bentley
- Ian Hughes as Owain Pincott
- Timothy West as Johnny Falstaff
- Gray O'Brien as Ian Mcclurgy
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 50 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 10 | February 26, 2018 | March 9, 2018 |
| Season 2 | 10 | February 25, 2019 | March 9, 2019 |
| Season 3 | 10 | February 3, 2020 | February 14, 2020 |
| Season 4 | 10 | February 14, 2022 | December 16, 2022 |
| Season 5 | 10 | September 24, 2025 | September 24, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
O Brave New World Frank Hathaway finds an unlikely partner in Lu Shakespeare when the pair are thrown together to catch a killer and clear Lu's name. |
February 26, 2018 |
| 2 |
The Chimes at Midnight When a stressed care home owner falls to her death, Frank and Lu encounter hapless care assistants and surprisingly spirited geriatrics. |
February 27, 2018 |
| 3 |
This Promised End Frank and Lu race against the clock when an undertaker is given only 24 hours to live by two mysterious hitmen. |
February 28, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Outrageous Fortune When a pampered pet runs away from a life of luxury, Frank and Lu are tasked with tracking down the hound. |
February 25, 2019 |
| 2 |
The Play's the Thing When a LARP battle in the woods goes wrong, Lu and Frank must clear the Queen's name and catch the culprit. |
February 26, 2019 |
| 3 |
This Cursed Hand A missing person's case turns to murder as Frank and Lu investigate the disappearance of an eastern European oligarch. |
February 28, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
How the Rogue Roar'd! When Frank and Lu are hired to help close down an old bingo hall, Frank is surprised to find an old nemesis at work. But what is he really up to? |
February 3, 2020 |
| 2 |
See Thyself, Devil! When a washed up rock star thinks the Devil is trying to kill him, Frank and Lu find themselves in a race to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again. |
February 4, 2020 |
| 3 |
The Sticking Place Long-buried secrets are unearthed when Frank and Lu come to the aid of a community of allotment holders who are being threatened with eviction. |
February 5, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
If It Be Mans Work Frank and Lu are drawn into Stratford’s Silicon Valley when Spider calls upon their help to expose a mole within tech company Forosa. |
February 14, 2022 |
| 2 |
If Music Be the Food of Love Frank and Lu enter the competitive world of ballroom dancing, brimming with passion and jealousy, and learn the dangers of falling in love with your dance partner. |
February 15, 2022 |
| 3 |
Too Much of Water It’s not all plain sailing when Frank and Lu are hired to look into the drowning of a former Miss Stratford-upon-Avon, as they begin to uncover the beauty queen’s dark past. |
February 16, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Such a Mad Marriage Never Was Before Tensions rise as Frank and Lu are forced to reunite and work together on the case of a married couple in strife. |
September 24, 2025 |
| 2 |
The Heavenly Harness'd Team Frank, Lu and Sebastian go undercover at a remote team building centre to root out a corporate spy trying to steal details of an important new contract |
September 24, 2025 |
| 3 |
Destruction, Blood and Massacre When Frank receives an invitation to a murder mystery party, the team finf themselves trapped with a killer in their midst |
September 24, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 26, 2018 |
| Last aired | September 24, 2025 |
| Runtime | 45 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 20:00:00 |