Benidorm may be better known for beach bars, British tourists and lively nights out, but a new Channel 5 drama is giving the Costa Blanca resort a murder mystery makeover. Starring John Hannah, Benidorm Is Murder will bring sun, suspects and Spanish bar life to screens in 2026.

Benidorm is swapping beach towels for murder clues

Benidorm is about to get a new role on British television: not just holiday hotspot, but crime scene. 

The Costa Blanca resort will provide the backdrop for Benidorm Is Murder, a six-part Channel 5 detective drama due to air in 2026. The series stars Scottish actor John Hannah as Dennis, a former UK detective who has left policing behind to run a bar in Spain.

That quieter life in the sun does not last long. According to distributor ZDF Studios, Dennis is drawn back into detective work when murders begin disturbing his new life in Benidorm.

He is helped by Rosa, his Spanish barmaid, played by Carolina Bécquer, who brings her own love of crime dramas to the unlikely partnership.

For viewers who enjoy Death in Paradise, The Mallorca Files or The Good Ship Murder, the formula will feel quite familiar: warm scenery, a central detective, suspicious deaths and a lighter tone than darker police procedurals.

Could the setting of sun-soaked bliss give the drama an extra twist?

Benidorm is not just any sunny location. For many British viewers, it carries decades of holiday memories, family trips, nightlife, package deals and strong opinions.

That makes the setting unusually recognisable. The show is not placing murder mysteries in a distant fictional paradise, but in a real Spanish resort where British tourism and local life meet every day.

Benidorm town hall said the city passed three million tourists and more than 16 million overnight stays in 2025, underlining how important the resort remains to Spain’s tourism economy.

The drama uses a place many of those tourists and residents will know, visit, live near, or think they know from its reputation.

The result could be a crime series with a familiar wink: bars, beach life and British holiday culture, but with a body count. 

How local filming brought British and Spanish extras together

The production has already had a visible local footprint in Benidorm.

In October 2025, Benidorm town hall announced that a British television series then called Death in Benidorm was looking for extras ahead of filming in the city. The open casting call took place at the Meliá Benidorm hotel and sought men and women aged between 20 and 65.

The notice said extras of any nationality could apply, but Spanish and British extras were especially needed.

That detail suggests the series is leaning into Benidorm’s real mix of residents, workers and tourists, rather than using Spain as a generic sunny backdrop.

Why the new Benidorm drama may tempt Death in Paradise fans

The talks of comparison with Death in Paradise is of course going to keep people busy up until the release. Both dramas use the contrast between murder and beautiful surroundings, building tension without losing the escapist appeal that keeps cosy crime viewers coming back.

A UK air date has not yet been confirmed beyond the 2026 release window. ZDF Studios announced the drama has 6 episodes with a runtime of 60-minutes each, while the Italian Global Series Festival has listed Benidorm Is Murder has a UK/Spain world premiere in July 2026.

The next details to watch for are the official UK broadcast date, trailer, episode guide and whether familiar Benidorm locations can be spotted once the series airs.

A driver who allegedly caused a serious crash on the AP-7 near Pedreguer before fleeing the scene on foot has been placed under investigation by the Guardia Civil after officers later discovered him hiding nearby with drugs in his possession.

Crash leaves two injured

The incident happened on the morning of June 11 at kilometre 612 of the AP-7, in the direction of Alicante. According to investigators, a car collided with the rear of another vehicle travelling ahead of it in the left-hand lane. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles and left the two occupants of the front car injured. Both were taken to hospital for treatment. The collision also led to lengthy traffic delays on one of the Costa Blanca’s busiest routes.

Emergency services and Guardia Civil traffic officers attended the scene after witnesses alerted 112. However, by the time officers arrived, the alleged driver responsible had abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.

Search ends among nearby trees

A search operation involving Guardia Civil officers and the Local Police of Pedreguer was launched in the surrounding area. Following a sweep of nearby roads and countryside, officers eventually located the 39-year-old Spanish man concealed among trees close to the crash site.

When he was found, officers reportedly discovered a backpack containing several doses of a substance known as “Alfa” along with items associated with drug consumption. The substances were seized as part of the investigation.

Multiple offences under investigation

The Guardia Civil’s Traffic Unit in Benidorm is now investigating the man for allegedly driving without a valid licence and driving under the influence of drugs. In addition, officers from the Guardia Civil post in Pedreguer have reported him for the possession of narcotic substances in a public place under Spain’s citizen security legislation.

The investigation remains ongoing while authorities continue gathering evidence relating to the crash and the driver’s actions before and after the collision.

Pedreguer is set to host a unique evening of music on Sunday, June 28, with a special concert that features Vicent Buigues, Vicent Morell and the Cor de Sant Bonaventura. The event will take place at La Pista – Espai Cultural, offering a free cultural experience that brings together local talent, choral tradition and contemporary musical expression.

A vibrant concert featuring works by two talented musicians

The concert, which forms part of the municipality’s vibrant cultural programme, will be free to watch and highlights the strong artistic roots of Pedreguer, as a music and community event hotspot on the Costa Blanca. The performance is set to showcase a creative dialogue between the two prominent musicians, in a collaborative project that promises a spectacular and technically excellent show.

Cor de Sant Bonaventura to take the stage in Pedreguer

One of the highlights of the programme will be the participation of the Cor de Sant Bonaventura, one of the town’s most established choral groups. The group, known for its commitment to classical and contemporary music, continues to play an important role in the community by promoting musical education, cultural participation, and appreciation for classical music in Pedreguer. Its presence will add a strong collective voice to the programme, reinforcing the event’s emphasis on shared artistic expression.

A vibrant cultural calendar

This concert also forms part of Pedreguer’s wider cultural season, including festivals, live performances, and traditional celebrations that will light up the summer. This event, which will be free to attend, represents the town’s offerings for more accessible culture, and offers residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy high-quality performances in an intimate and welcoming setting.

The concert will surely attract a diverse audience looking to enjoy their Sunday, from local families to music lovers from all across the Marina Alta region. The event will stand out as a celebration of collaboration, creativity and local identity, and will bring together voices and instruments in a shared musical experience that will reflect the great cultural spirit of Pedreguer.