Benidorm Is Murder | Preview (5)

Dennis is a burned-out ex-police officer hiding behind a failing Scottish pub in Benidorm. Rosa is an aspiring actress, obsessed with classic British crime shows, who talks her way into his bar, his investigations, and his life. Together, they're the last people anyone would trust to solve a murder - which is exactly why they keep solving them.

Set in the glorious and chaotic Benidorm - tribute acts, bingo queens, hen parties, sunburnt tourists and bar owners hanging on by a thread - Benidorm is Murder treats its setting as a beating heart, not as a punchline. Each episode delivers a fresh puzzle: clues, twists, a satisfying solution, and a corner of this febrile resort that turns unexpectedly deadly.

Watching with exasperated admiration are sharp Spanish inspector Maria and puppy-ish young cop Jesús, who grudgingly learn to value the pair's instincts even as they roll their eyes at their methods.

But the deeper Dennis and Rosa dig into Benidorm's underbelly, the more his past claws its way back. When an old enemy walks into The Tavern and a lock-in ends with blood on the floor, Dennis becomes the number one suspect in a murder mystery even he might not be able to solve.

John Hannah stars as Dennis; Carolina Bécquer as Rosa; Ariadna Cabrol as María (DS Hernandez); Brian Bovell as Archie; Damian Schedler Cruz as Jesús (PC Ballesteros); Eva van der Gucht as Jackie; Tamzin Outhwaite as Tiff; Alistair McGowan as Vince and Denise Welch as Ziggy

In the first episode, a budget Take That tribute act is the big draw at adults-only Hotel Ahora when “Robbie” (Darren) announces he’s quitting the band and running off to Faliraki with hotel manager Carlos’ daughter Isabella. The row ends with Darren storming out carrying the band’s glass award and “Gary” (Steve) vowing to kill him if he touches it. In the morning, holidaymakers Big Tone and Shell find Darren’s body floating in the hotel pool. The case looks open and shut.

Enter Dennis, a washed-up ex-police officer now running The Tavern, and Rosa, a hyperactive aspiring actress who talks herself into job at his pub, and then into his life, as his self-appointed sidekick.

Rosa is convinced Steve is innocent and badgers Dennis into getting himself involved in Spanish inspector Maria’s crime scene. Dennis thinks he's finally spotted the connection that ties several details everyone else has overlooked.

As Maria closes in on an arrest and Rosa becomes increasingly convinced that they've been looking in the wrong direction, Dennis races to pull the pieces together before the case is closed. But has he genuinely uncovered what happened or is he about to make a fool of himself in front of Maria? Dennis has no choice but to put his theory to the test. Will he have his eureka moment before an innocent man pays the price?

Benidorm Is Murder begins Thursday 30th July at 9pm on 5.