Series recommendation: Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators

This is such a cosy crime series - much in the line of Father Brown - that, just like Father Brown, it isn't shown in the evening but in the afternoon on BBC 1.

It stars Mark Benton as a dishevelled-looking Frank Hathaway, a former policeman, and Jo Joyner, as Luella Shakespeare, a former hairdresser. My favourite among the cast, however, is Sebastian, as played by Patrick Walshe McBride, who could pass as a brother of Anya Taylor-Joy. The poor boy is much put upon and has to dress up in all sorts of disguises.

As it is set in Stratford-upon-Avon, where the Bard (i.e. Shakespeare) once lived, each episode title has some reference to his works - as do the names of many of the characters involved.

It's full of humour and ingenuity and the forty 45-minute episodes are a pleasant way to while away the time.