“A crime-solving medic”: The Sunshine Murders is Channel 5's must-see detective drama with a surprise pop star

Detective drama fans, mark your calendars! A brand-new crime series, already being hailed as a “must-see”, is coming to Channel 5 - and in the twist of all twists, it stars none other than pop star Peter Andre (yes, really). The Mysterious Girl singer plays a crime-solving doctor in The Sunshine Murders, and we have to say, he's a rather convincing one in his white lab coat and blue rubber gloves. See the trailer below if you don't believe us.

As the title suggests, The Sunshine Murders is set against the sun-drenched backdrops of Greece and Cyprus. The story follows two half-sisters on the hunt for their missing father, who uncover a string of local crimes along the way. Andre, who has Greek-Cypriot heritage, was filming in familiar territory: his parents’ homeland of Cyprus, more specifically Paphos and Larnaca, which are near Kiti, the village where Andre owns a villa.

In even better news, there's not long to wait before the new crime drama arrives on our screens, with it set to air in just a few weeks. Until then, here’s everything to know about The Sunshine Murders, including the cast, plot, and how to watch it.

What is The Sunshine Murders about?

Expect mystery, Mediterranean charm, and (we imagine) plenty of twists. As we mentioned, The Sunshine Murders is a detective drama set in Cyprus and Greece. Shirley, a farmer from New Zealand, travels to Athens in search of her father.

There she meets her half-sister and detective, Helen. The pair team up, teaching each other skills, as they try to locate their missing dad. They also, of course, meet crime-solving medic, George (Peter Andre), along the way - who proves to be a vital piece of the puzzle.

Who’s in the cast of The Sunshine Murders?

The cast of The Sunshine Murders includes:

• Peter Andre
• Stephanie Beacham (Dynasty, Coronation Street)
• Camilla Rutherford (Quant, Phantom Thread)
• Nick Moran (Lock Stock, Harry Potter)
• Nina Wadia (Goodness Gracious Me, Eastenders)
• Marina Sirtis (Star Trek)
• Emily Corcoran (The Stolen, The Survivalist)

Is The Sunshine Murders any good?

The murder mystery series is yet to air on Channel 5, so we can’t give you our full verdict just yet. However, we do know that that the TV drama is being produced by Cork Films, a family-run film company set up by Emily Corcoran (who also stars in The Sunshine Murders as New Zealand farmer Shirley Rangi), and we're excited to see what the team serves up.

As we mentioned, Peter Andre takes the leading male role as a forensic pathologist. The pop singer has previously starred in films including The Inheritance (2019) and SnapCatch (2023), and has performed on the West End, playing Vince Fontaine and Teen Angel in Grease. In The Sunshine Murders, Andre – born in England to Cypriot parents and raised in Australia – adopts a Greek accent for his character. Will it be any good? We'll have to tune in to fine out.

How can I watch The Sunshine Murders?

Good news - The Sunshine Murders will air on Channel 5 and Paramount+ this September. As soon as we have an exact date, we'll share it here.

What other detective dramas can I watch now?

There’s loads of great detective material to get your teeth into. U&Drama’s Whitstable Pearl is the “best-kept secret” series that's well worth a watch, combining winning elements of some our favourite shows, including Broadchurch and Sherlock. Also new to our screens is Bookish, a cosy crime drama which is nevertheless no ordinary whodunnit period piece. And if it’s unlikely crime-fighting duos you’re after (as The Sunshine Murders will feature), you’ll want to keep an eye out for Channel 5’s forthcoming Cooper and Fry, which stars Downton’s Robert James-Collier and Mandip Gill.