Channel 5 viewers have had mixed reviews over the broadcaster’s crime drama since it first aired in 2023
Tianna Corbin TV Reporter
16:53, 06 Jan 2026
For the past three years, Channel 5 viewers have seen former Strictly Come Dancing star Shayne Ward play former detective Jack Grayling in the crime drama, The Good Ship Murder.
The series, which first aired in 2023, saw Jack leave his career behind to become a cabaret singer on a luxury cruise ship. However, things take a dark turn when a murder unfolds.
This results in Jack stepping in to help solve the case alongside First Officer Kate Woods (Catherine Tyldesley). At the end of last year, the Channel 5 show kicked off its third series with a festive special, as the cruiseliner anchored in Alicante with Shayne and Catherine reprising their roles.
Tonight (January 6), The Good Ship Murder is back once again, and this time, viewers are being taken to Cannes.
The Good Ship Murder’s Shayne Ward as Jack Grayling in the Channel 5 crime drama(Image: Channel 5)READ MORE: BBC Lynley reboot slammed by viewers as they blast new series as ‘terrible’READ MORE: BBC Morning Live’s Helen Skelton vows ‘never again’ as she details ‘bad’ experience
A synopsis for the upcoming episode reads: “The red carpet is rolled out as the ship docks in Cannes, in town for the night of the premiere of the latest film by infamous film director Werner Altmann.
“The auteur reluctantly chaperones his ‘muse’ – rising star Mimi McQuinn. However, Mimi is then murdered during the premiere. Jack and Kate are on the case, focusing their attention on Werner himself, a film critic, and Mimi’s son.”
Although the show is in its third series, it’s received mixed reviews over the years. On Reddit in the past, one person said: “Gawd! I thought Beyond Paradise was bad, but TGSM easily eclipses it in awfulness.
“Incomprehensible story lines full of logic holes big enough to drive a lorry through, and don’t get me started on the acting. No BAFTAS here, folks. Avoid like the Black Death.”
The Good Ship Murder has returned for a third series(Image: Channel 5)
Someone else wrote: “It’s so bad it’s good, I hope they keep making it.” As another person commented: “I’m a sucker for murder mysteries, but this show is awful, don’t waste your time. Some of the worst acting you’ll ever see, poorly written.”
However, some people are thrilled with the show’s return as one person on X said: “Loved last night’s #TheGoodShipMurder Christmas special, great stuff from @shayneTward Catherine Tyldsley, Ross Adams, @Zak_Dee Geoffrey Breton and Kiza Dean, can’t wait for series 3 to start on January 6, looking forward to it.”
While another shared: “Great to finally have a Christmas special of #TheGoodShipMurder.”
This series, fans will see a familiar face on the show as former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach has joined The Good Ship Murder as the “sassy” character Mimi McQuinn.
Actress Ellie Leach will be seen in a new Channel 5 drama(Image: Channel 5)
On Instagram, she said: “She’s not like anyone I’ve played before. Hello, I’m Ellie Leach, and I am playing Mimi McQuinn. She’s very sassy, she’s giving boss and I loved it. She’s quite rude to people, so maybe that was the most challenging part. That’s also the most fun part.
“Deep down, she is quite a nice, normal person but this whole persona of being a star really comes out and I think that’s what I loved most about her character”
The Good Ship Murder continues on Channel 5 from 9pm on Tuesday, January 6.
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