EXCLUSIVE: The Death in Paradise writer's new detective drama continues on Thursday on Channel 5.11:40, 06 Aug 2026Updated 11:40, 06 Aug 2026A new Channel 5 detective drama, created by a Death in Paradise writer, is set to "explode".‌Benidorm is Murder star John Hannah has teased how dark the series will really be.‌The new crime drama, created by the same mastermind behind Death in Paradise, Ian Jarvis, continues on Channel 5 on Thursday, 6 August.‌Starring John Hannah as a former detective who has relocated to Benidorm and opened up a Scottish beachside bar, the series follows his return to solving crimes, as he joins unlikely forces with her new barmaid and crime drama fanatic, Rosa, played by Carolina Becquer.John’s character Dennis is pulled into the mysteries and puzzles surrounding him in the picturesque location when tourists and locals are found dead.‌While at first, Benidorm is Murder - in which the characters reference other cosy crime dramas like The Agatha Christie mysteries - appears lighthearted, John hinted there are darker moments to come.He exclusively shared: “Every character has a thread that goes all the way through all the episodes that link.“Lines that are mentioned here, like about Rosa’s relationship with her father, go all the way through and there’s a really touching bit later on.”‌He continued: “Those things are all joined up, and so the dark stuff comes later… like my character’s wife comes in and brings a world of darkness with her.”Carolina added: “As the episodes go on, you get to learn more about Rosa’s life and her own problem, and Dennis’ life.“Each episode gives you a bit more… and then everything explodes.”‌John added, “It gets quite dark… they take a bit of a turn. It’s still funny, but it’s dark and serious, and there are real consequences for people.”In tonight’s episode, titled ‘Die Laughing’, Channel 5 teased: “Grudges and buried secrets surface after a corpse is found on the roof of a comedy club.”‌Ahead of the series airing, John elsewhere shared: “Every character is real, every character has a journey and a purpose and a soul.“I think that’s what Benidorm and what Ian [Harvey] and Channel 5 wanted to create, a show with soul.”Talking about reading the script for the first time, he went on: “Getting that comedy-drama balance is very difficult, and it was. There were funny moments, I responded to it personally, and the drama and twists and things, they really work.”Article continues belowBenidorm is Murder continues Thursdays at 9pm on Channel 5.