My wife and I love Shakespeare and Hathaway. We are American viewers .We have only just found out that this wonderful program is shown on daytime telly in Britain. And also the great show Moving On is shown in the afternoon there. Speaks volumes of the quality of television in the UK. There are few programs here in prime time as good. I digress. What is so special about this show then? The 3 lead actors. They have great chemistry together. Lu Shakespeare is one of the private investigators. She drives a little red Mini that her partner Frank Hathaway calls a hair dryer on wheels. Lu has a bubbly personality, always happy and smiling. She is the sweetest most feminine cop or detective character I've ever seen. Frank is the lovable portly male detective. Invaluable to the show is their assistant, Sebastian who is a trained actor that Frank and Lu use his acting abilities to go undercover to find information. His disguises and role plays are hilarious. The murder plots are secondary to the playful banter between Lu, Frank, and Sebastian. Another thing I like is neither Frank and Lu are portrayed as sleuth geniuses. Sometimes Frank solves it, sometimes Lu does and they sometimes stumble onto it. Also the show is set in Stratford Upon Avon and Shakespeare buffs would appreciate the lines from the Bard that are often quoted. The scenery is gorgeous. We have just finished the third series. The first two series were a tad better than the third. However the biggest flaw of the first 2 series was Inspector Christina Marlowe, the glum unsmiling nemesis of Frank and Lu. I groaned when she appeared, a dreadful character played by a wooden actress. Thankfully they got rid of her after Series 2. Series 3 was mostly good, and the writers seemed to be going more for comedy. Some of the slapstick from Frank was a bit cringe worthy. A couple shows from Series 3 were tedious. Now we are awaiting Series 4. I would like to see from Series 4 more scenes with Inspector Joe, the Frank hating full of himself cop. He is hilarious in his over the top arrogance. A new character from Series 3 is PC Viola. She seems to fancy Sebastian a bit and would love to see some interaction between those two. And she's drop dead gorgeous!
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biffgrimes-1902320 August 2021
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Sleepin_Dragon25 February 2019You have to hand it to The BBC, Afternoon drama has improved ten fold, largely due to the impact of Father Brown, a few shows have tried, and been OK, such as The Coroner, but as they did with Father Brown, they've hit on a winner with Shakespeare and Hathaway. For my money it's better then many of the night time dramas, and arguably is worthy of a better viewing slot, but it really is good family fun.
As a nation we love a good mystery, we love a well drawn character, and a clever plot, we get all of those things here, along with a good dollop of humour, Mark Benton, Jo Joyner and Patrick Walshe McBride are all wonderful in their respective roles, all able to do humour and drama with ease.
Favourite episode to date for me has to be Ill Met by Moonlight, I am delighted to see a second series is currently transmitting, hopefully it will continue into the future just as Father Brown has.
Hugely entertaining. 9/10 -
reeley-7249317 March 2018Yes I know the title is a cliche, but then it is brimming full of quotes from the Bard himself, and it is quite fun trying to spot them all, I am sure we missed a few. If you like a harmless sex and violence free drama, this is a perfect escape. The stories are a little cliche'd and quite a lot of poetic licence is taken, but if you just sit back and watch, you are in for a treat. Yes the police are awful, even by daytime TV standards, but overall the acting is fine and the writing is just what it needs to be. It is not a 9pm programme, doesn't pretend to be, but is equally as enjoyable as Death in Paradise, Father Brown or Midsummer. More please.
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Gabbiadini4 March 2018Love this show. Wonderful actors and beautiful locations combined with humorous script and twisty plots makes it a joy to watch . Hope for more episodes
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comimew26 February 2018Just watched the first episode of this new Comedy Drama and I can't wait for more. It is light, bright and funny without all the usual cliches. The storyline was not at all predictable and the plot keenly written. 10 out of 10 for all involved in the production of Shakespeare and Hathaway - more please.
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vah_romsey28 February 2018Loved it - watched first two episodes back to back funny, decent plots pleased to see Mr Benton back but Well done BBC Patrick Walshe McBride - only one word BRILLIANT!
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isabelmcmann7 March 2018Someone asked why it was on in the daytime, don't know but so was Father Brown and I loved that as well! This is a gem, characters are funny, loveable and the plots are good. Really hope there's a second series.
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Cilica28 February 2022The development of the characters is surface, stories are a 'bit of fun' without a deep 'who done it'. I enjoy a mindless waltz through their cases. The hired help is the one that caries joy - strong acting, and a delight to see what he gets up to.
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angelabarker9 March 2018I loved this series & hope there is another in the pipeline. Amazing locations, gentle to watch, no violence, blood or gore. Should be on prime time T.V.
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A cosy detective series with a two unlikely partners (in the beginning) that gets under your skin to the extent that you may well end up by wanting more and more episodes. If it manages to keep the chemistry, and to continue having coherent scripts and a consistent plot, it may well keep on going for many seasons, like Death in Paradise. Charming setting - Stratford upon Avon - clothing and landscapes that please the eye and soothe the soul. The main characters are round (what, there is nothing wrong with that), pleasant and funny. Jo Joyner makes the role of her life so far, as Louella. It is a joyful series (pun intended), hope it will go on like this.
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Juliancturner1 March 2018This is a real gem hidden in the daytime schedules. Surely season 2 must move to prime Time!
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TalulaGrey18 September 2018I actually found myself enjoying this show. It reminded me so much of Rosemary and Thyme only Luella and Frank are actual detectives. Their secretary Sebastian is, at times pretty funny. There's DI Marlowe that helps them out every now and then. It's not a bad little show. It's not meant to be serious and if you liked Rosemary and Thyme you may like this one as well. It's a solid 6 out of 10.
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studioAT16 February 2023If you've been killed off on a Marple, a Death in Paradise, or perhaps if you're more high brow, a Morse then rejoice - this show offers you a new way to get some money through a guest appearance.
This is fine, amiable BBC daytime drama, with two steady hands to get it from A to B. As I said, you can have an array of BBC regulars popping up to be the who dun it or the murderer if they're lucky, and there's enough 'sparkling' banter between the leads to fill the rest of the time.
It's not a masterpiece, but equally it's better than people give it credit for. I think should the BBC and the leads wish it to it'll run for years. -
georgianelson-078367 March 2018The first episode was merely to pass the time but I fell in love. With cute Shakespearean references the show gives the feeling of comfort one bizarrely finds in murder mysteries. Already suggested the show to many friends and appear to have single handedly buikt a fan base of people realising the shows genius.
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ianlouisiana27 February 2018Afternoon television at its best.At last the BBC has found a good vehicle for the wonderful Miss J.Joyner,who has long displayed a latent talent for light comedy equal to her ability as a serious actor. Initially playing the hapless victim of a large - scale fraud who teams up with Mr M.Benton's ex -cop turned private eye to investigate the murder of her short - lived husband for which she is a prime suspect. Forget the silly names and the flimsy pretext of being based in Stratford - on - Avon,"Shakespeare and Hathaway" is very funny in its own right. An out - of work actor does dog work for them..."an out - of - work RADA actor" as he points out sotto voce and he has some good lines. The local law is represented by two of Mr Benton's former protegees who now regard him somewhat suspiciously as having gone rogue. This is a seriously difficult slot in the schedule to fill satisfactorily - previously "The Commander" threatened to succeed but failed after a promising start. If the BBC leave this one to develop it's own momentum I am hopeful that it's viewing figures will ensure it's "Doubles all - round" in the BBC bar come the end of its first season.
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zaradees14 March 2018I don't know what this show is doing in the day time section, I would have missed it, had it not for the face that I logged into iPlayer. It reminded me of 'Death in Paradise' but set in Warwickshire. They have filmed in really scenic locations, and I love the cast. The two leads have very good on screen chemistry and their side kick, the "RADA Grad" is pretty funny. I have watched six episodes so far and I can't wait to finish it. I hope BBC renews it because it is pretty cheerful and feel good show. I am a little tired of gritty and dark dramas so this is pretty much right up my stream!
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sgar-129 June 2018Quite a surprising gem, frequently makes me laugh out loud. Terrific cast and snappy writing. Watching it on BBC Canada I suspect it's chopped down for commercials-I'll have to keep an eye out for an uncut source.
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Lou Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway team up to investigate crimes and maleficence in modern-day Stratford-on-Avon. Although at its core the show is just another 'mismatched buddy-cop' yarn, the principal characters (well played by Mark Benton and Jo Joyner) are engaging and their put-upon thespian dogs-body (and master of disguise) Sebastian is quite funny (in a highly clichéd and frequently predictable way). The various crimes are reasonably well plotted (if not too carefully thought about) and the Shakespeare-drenched scripts and imagery is often clever (much I suspect is lost on me). The edge-free adventure-lite show falters somewhat when it veers into broader comedy (such as chases on the Avon in swan boats) but otherwise is good frothy fun.
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balbip0116 February 2020As another reviewer rightly notes wasted on daytime tv, but have to say that's the point. There's no reason why daytime tv should be condemned to property programmes or beat the bailiff or whatever mindless pap the tv execs come up with. With BBC catch up there's no reason to miss this. Beware though this is the sort of programme that will die if the BBC haters have their way
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levitt-971569 February 2019Just started watching this,good easy to watch.people are saying why isn't this on prime time?unfortunatly until both bbc and itv start dumping the appaling out of date soaps that still clog up evening tv they never will.
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Prince-P29 June 2022Since "Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators" is a daytime TV-show, it's almost free from graphic violence. Instead, the quirky plot is interspersed with lots of humor and irony. Filming was done in Stratford-upon-Avon's picturesque city center, as well as in the town's scenic surroundings.
The main roles are played by Mark Benton and Jo Joyner. He's an untidy slob, while she (no surprise here) is his very opposite. It sounds clichéd, but still works fine as both actors have tons of charm to fill their characters. From the very first episode it's obvious that Benton and Joyner have great chemistry between them.
So, "Shakespeare & Hathaway " may not renew the TV medium, but as light entertainment on a sunny afternoon the show works just fine. -
stratford-473907 March 2018Agree this is wasted in the afternoon deserves a prime time slot. Not everyone wants to watch blood guts and gore or reality TV
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I absolutely love this show it started out more like a dark comedy and not as campy .. I loves DI Marlowe and the dynamics . My favorite character is Sebastian and at this point th primary reason i watch. Once DI Marlow left and it was just DS Keeler it started to get stale. The same thing every episode and DS Keeler is so unlikable, at this point I'm also confused how this small town has so many Murders and still Sebastian is undercover and DS Keeler is in charge .. change it up a bit! It also started to get campy with plots being so unrealistic and silly and over the top acting. I don't know why they went that route when the first 2 seasons were so good and part of 3 with introducing new regular characters but the stories were silly. With one episode had me laughing at a character that was so bad and fake i was waiting for them to say "this character is pretending to be what he is.. trying not to give spoilers.
My final thought is that it's worth watching especially the first 3 episodes .. the 4th is watchable but you may be dissapointed...hopefully they won't cancel and just change it up a bit! -
BombVark26 April 2022Maybe it's me but the quality of these mystery shows seems to be on the decline. After watching the first four episodes of season one, they seemed to have run out of ideas. Sure, there were cosmetic differences but the stories were all too predictable. Though an occasional chuckle helped me finish watching the episodes.
The Shakespeare gimmick combined with some unusual crimes can't cover up sub-par writing. And for heaven's sake, how anyone could give this a ten is beyond belief. -
kiirujohn4 March 2018I love British shows. This one is on another level. I love the laid back, slow build up and good music. Episode 3 was the bomb.