A new detective drama returned to screens, with viewers quickly sharing their thoughts22:10, 06 Aug 2026TV viewers found themselves divided as a new detective drama returned to screens.‌Benidorm is Murder is a new Channel 5 series that follows a burned-out detective called Dennis (played by John Hannah), who has swapped the daily grind of the UK for a simpler life running a bar in Benidorm.‌The synopsis adds: "When tourists start turning up dead, Dennis is reluctantly drawn back into detective work by his new barmaid, aspiring actress and crime drama superfan Rosa.‌"Played by Carolina Bécquer, Rosa's enthusiasm and determination to prove herself pulls Dennis out of his bar and into the action."Using Dennis' real-world experience and showcasing Rosa's encyclopaedic TV knowledge, each episode see the duo tackling a new murder, whilst trying to stay on the right side of the Spanish cops.‌The drama, which has been compared to hit BBC series Death in Paradise, returned to screens with its second episode on Thursday (August 6).A rooftop corpse was found during the latest instalment, with Dennis soon uncovering suspicious clues, while Rosa unearthed grudges, debts and secrets.Loose Women star Denise Welch guest starred as Ziggy, the owner of Benidorm Palace, while comedian and actor Alistair McGowan stepped into the shoes of faded 90s game show star Vince Starky.‌Viewers were quick to share their thoughts, with many issuing complaints on X (formerly Twitter). "#BenidormisMurder is pretty bad, isn't it?! Not quite as bad as #TheGoodShipMurder, but very nearly!!" one person wrote, while someone else felt that it was "dire".A Reddit user added: "A bit too slapstick for me," while a third said: "Death in Paradise but in a massively s*** location."‌Meanwhile, others found themselves enjoying the drama, with one person writing: "It's hammy but I can't stop watching. Like a modern day Eldorado."Another person commented: "Death in Paradise type of vibe," while a third shared: "I liked it, bit different, and it has got John Hannah in it, so always going to be watchable."A fourth viewer echoed the sentiment, saying: "Its tongue was way up in its cheek, it was full of plot holes. 5 stars!"Article continues belowSpeaking ahead of the show's premiere, lead actor John Hannah said: "Benidorm is Murder is a gem of a show, filled with joy and humour, but there's a balance of comedy and serious emotional weight to the stories, which is testament to the writing."We have such a brilliant cast on this, everyone is pitch perfect for their roles, and I can't wait for viewers to meet Carolina who was born to play Rosa."Benidorm is Murder is available to stream on Channel 5