THE GOOD SHIP MURDER SAYS AHOY! TO PETER DAVISON AND FIONA ALLEN

Guest Stars Richard Blackwood, Anita Dobson, Matthew Kelly, Rula Lenska, Debra Stephenson, Neil Stuke and Ramon Tikaram will also join the cruise.

5 has today announced that Peter Davison and Fiona Allen will join Shayne Ward, who leads the cast as former copper turned cabaret singer Jack Grayling, whose detective skills are put to good use on the crew of The Good Ship Murder as it sets sail for Series 4. 

Peter Davison (All Creatures Great and Small, The Gold) will play Jack’s dad, smooth talking, streetwise silver fox Eddie Grayling. After 35 years as a copper in Serious Crimes, Eddie is still razor sharp, so when the ship sails into choppy waters, he brings his old-school policing methods out of retirement to form a crack crime solving duo with his son.   

The ship will be helmed by new captain Serena ‘The Iceberg’ Teller; played by Fiona Allen (Smack the Pony, Finding Emily), a trail blazer for women in maritime roles. A formidable figure, oozing class and style, Serena strikes fear into her crew. But occasionally the ice thaws a little, and we catch a personal glimpse of a woman who has made huge sacrifices for her success.  

Jack navigates new waters, both personal and professional, as high stakes mysteries unfold once more against the picture postcard backdrop of the sunny Mediterranean.   All hands are on deck with a sparkling list of guest stars joining the cruise, including Richard Blackwood (The Madame Blanc Mysteries, Eastenders), Anita Dobson (Doctor Who, Eastenders), Matthew Kelly (Inside No.9, Not Going Out), Rula Lenska (Mr Big Stuff, Coronation Street), Debra Stephenson (Bad Girls, Coronation Street), Neil Stuke (Hijack, Grantchester) and Ramon Tikaram (Kaos, Pennyworth).   

Fiona Allen, who plays Captain Serena Teller, said: "What an honour to be at the helm of The Good Ship Murder, but with great power comes great responsibility and Captain Serena Teller is a character with many layers. She's great fun to play and I've been excited to bring something new to a much-loved series." 

Peter Davison, who joins as Eddie Grayling, comments: “It's been a pleasure to join The Good Ship Murder, a brilliant, tight knit team who have welcomed me with open arms.  

“Eddie Grayling is a delight to play, and Shayne and I have relished establishing a father and son dynamic in the Good Ship's sleuthing team. Shayne has made fitting in, and filming our many scenes, so easy. Even if it's obvious he can run a little faster, and sing a lot better than me."

Shayne Ward, who leads the cast as Jack Grayling, said: “It’s truly a pleasure to welcome the great Peter Davison and Fiona Allen to the Good Ship family, along with this season's incredible guest stars. The casting has been met with pure excitement, with a real buzz around the new arrivals, who are steering the ship into new waters.” 

5 Commissioning Editor, Greg Barnett, added: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Peter and Fiona are joining the regular cast aboard The Good Ship Murder. Their brilliant performances will delight fans and definitely rock the boat! I’m further excited that we have secured such incredible guest-star appearances which will make this fourth series hugely dramatic and entertaining."

The hit crime drama from Clapperboard Studios in association with FIFTH SEASON is currently in production in Malta and on board the MSC Virtuoso. FIFTH SEASON is also handling global distribution.

ENDS

For more information please contact: Fiona McGarva fiona@todayissundae.co.uk 

About 5

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Skydance Corporation. Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from the 5-branded portfolio, the dedicated preschool brand Milkshake!, and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount+ and more.   

In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.   Recent wins include ‘Channel of the Year’ at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Awards, BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024, along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries. 

About Clapperboard Studios

Since launch, Clapperboard has delivered over 30 series and 147 hours of prime time television, including critically acclaimed ratings winners Love Rat, The Holiday, Cooper & Fry, The Cuckoo and The Game for 5 and Girl Taken, The Castaways, The Ex-Wife and The Serial Killer's Wife for Paramount+. It was shortlisted for Best Production Company in the Edinburgh TV Awards 2022 and 2025 and Best Independent Production Company at the Broadcast Awards 2024. Dramas Clapperboard is currently working on include Benidorm is Murder, Number One Fan and Hunting Alice Bell. 

Returning dramas include The Teacher anthology series, The Good Ship Murder and The Madame Blanc Mysteries created and co-written by Sally Lindsay and co-produced by Clapperboard. Clapperboard along with its partner companies, Chalkboard and Storyboard Studios, are part of iZen and the wider Studio TF1 Group   

About FIFTH SEASON

FIFTH SEASON is an entertainment industry leader specializing in the development, production, financing, and distribution of premium films, television series, and documentaries. Known for its artist-first approach, the company has produced critically acclaimed films such as Book Club, The Lost Daughter, Nonnas, and Friendship, as well as award-winning series like Severance, His & Hers, Nine Perfect Strangers, Omnivore, and Tokyo Vice. FIFTH SEASON operates with a full-service worldwide distribution infrastructure and boasts a vast network of production hubs across North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to its successful slate of original productions, FIFTH SEASON’s global distribution arm handles a robust third-party library of hundreds of titles, including hit series such as Killing Eve, Normal People, The Morning Show, and The Night Manager. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, New York, and London, with offices worldwide. Shareholders include CJ ENM, Toho, and Endeavor.