BBC daytime detectives Shakespeare & Hathaway to return for Series 2

Jo Joyner and Mark Benton star in this new daytime weekday drama, brought together when Lu Shakespeare (Jo) asks private investigator Frank Hathaway (Mark) to find out if her fiancé is having an affair.
(Image credit: BBC/Mark Bourdillon)

The hit daytime detective drama Shakespeare & Hathaway, starring Mark Benton and Jo Joyner, is coming back for a second series.

Jo Joyner and Mark Benton will return in a second series of daytime detective drama, Shakespeare & Hathaway. (Picture: BBC)

Jo Joyner and Mark Benton will return in a second series of daytime detective drama, Shakespeare & Hathaway. (Picture: BBC)

Private investigators Frank Hathaway and Luella Shakespeare will be back on the case next year, as hit daytime detective drama, Shakespeare & Hathaway has been re-commissioned for Series 2.

The series stars Mark Benton as an ex-Detective Inspector who unexpectedly finds himself paired with ex-hairdresser, Luella Shakespeare (played by ex-EastEnders star Jo Joyner) to investigate criminal goings-on in rural Warwickshire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytn6P5ZFmQA

Will Trotter, Head of Daytime Drama, BBC Studios says: “Series 2 will see Frank and Lu investigating kidnapped canines, locked room mysteries, dead ringers and doppelgängers, vice, fraud, extortion and identity theft," previews Will Trotter, Head of Daytime Drama. "Our detectives will continue where they left off putting the world to rights as they snoop and pry. More ado in Stratford-Upon-Avon.”

 Jo Joyner adds: “I’m totally thrilled to have the chance to visit Lu, Frank and fellow investigator Sebastian again in the beautiful surroundings of the Warwickshire countryside. We were really blown away by the support the first series garnered and we can’t wait to see what they get up to next!”

Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators will return to BBC 1 next year.

Simon Timblick
Writer

Simon has long been a fan of soap operas, and especially loves OVER-THE-TOP plots involving evil twins, hair-pulling catfights and natural disasters. Anyone remember the Sunset Beach earthquake/tidal wave? Or when Krystle Carrington got locked in the attic and replaced by look-a-like Rita in Dynasty?!

Simon has written for a variety of TV and childrens’ magazines/websites including Inside Soap, Nickelodeon, What’s On TV, Radio Times, Metro, Girl Talk, Disney Girl, Toxic! and Digital Spy. He has reported LIVE from the red carpet at The British Soap Awards interviewing glammed-up stars from soapland, and hosted a Facebook LIVE session for Metro with Home and Away legend Ray Meagher (Alf "Stone the flamin' crows!" Stewart) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Aussie soap.

Simon is also co-author of The Treasures Of Coronation Street (Carlton Books)

And the writer and director of (very!) low budget fright flick, Midsummer Night's EVIL and the sequel webisodes series, The Hatchet Woods HORROR.