The Good Ship Murder renewed for two more series

Starring Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley

Author: Alex RossPublished 24th Apr 2024
Last updated 24th Apr 2024

They had a complicated relationship as characters Eva Price and Aidan Connor in ITV soap Coronation Street, but fans were over the moon to see Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward reunite last year, on Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder.

The first series saw Catherine play the role of First Officer Kate Woods, whilst Shayne took on the role of Jack Grayling, and fans will now be thrilled to learn the show has been renewed for a further two series!

Will there be more series?

It's now been announced that both Catherine and Shayne will return as the show has been renewed for a second and third series, as well as a Christmas special.

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5, said: "Greg and I are excited for these new tales on The Good Ship Murder. The blend of music, mystery, and beautiful locations was a winning formula that our viewers loved in series one, and we’re excited to be working with Clapperboard again to bring this series back”.

Mike Benson, Managing Director of Clapperboard, added: “Series one was something of a journey - or mid-price cruise - into the unknown… not least trying to film a drama on a cruise ship with 6000 holidaymakers heading to 8 different countries! However, we were delighted with how the concept found an audience and are thrilled to be making two more series packed with sun, showtunes and subterfuge.”

When is series two out?

There's no word yet on when series two will air, but filming is due to begin soon.

What will happen in series two?

Bosses are yet to reveal the plot for series two, but it is expected to follow Catherine and Shayne's characters Kate Woods and Jack Grayling.

What is The Good Ship Murder about?

The Good Ship Murder is a murder mystery drama series on Channel 5.

The synopsis for series one reads: 'The Good Ship Murder is set aboard a luxury cruise liner touring everyone's favourite Mediterranean holiday hotspots bubbling with intrigue, rivalries, glamour, money and class divides. Its new cabaret singer, ex detective Jack Grayling (Shayne Ward), soon discovers there are also more sinister elements below the surface.

'On a cruise out of Southampton, Jack meets newly promoted First Officer, Kate Woods (Catherine Tyldesley), before a passenger is found murdered in their first port of call. What follows is a wave of murder mysteries – each set against the backdrop of a different stunning coastal destination where the ship has dropped anchor'.

How many episodes does it have?

Series one of The Good Ship Murder was made up of eight 60 minute episodes.

Series two and three will follow in the same format.

When is it on TV?

Series one of The Good Ship Murder started at 9pm on Friday 13th October.

What channel is it on?

The murder mystery airs on Channel 5.

How can I watch The Good Ship Murder?

All episodes of series one are available on 5 on Demand now.

Who is in the cast?

Former X Factor star and Corrie actor Shayne Ward plays the main role in the drama, portraying the role of ex detective turned cabaret singer Jack Grayling,

Shayne is joined on the show by his former Corrie co-star Catherine Tyldesley, who plays newly promoted First Officer, Kate Woods.

Speaking about his upcoming role and reuniting with good friend Catherine, former X Factor winner Shayne said before filming: "I’m really excited to be taking on this exciting role in this brand-new drama. Allowing me to combine my two passions: music and acting. It really is a dream come true!

"Getting to work alongside my good friend Catherine again has been magical, and all while cruising around the Mediterranean…heaven. I can’t wait for everyone to meet Jack Grayling and his unlikely team and get on board the Good Ship Murder."

Catherine, who has starred in shows such as Viewpoint and Scarborough in recent years, added: "I’ve loved taking on the role of Kate and keeping Jack in his place at sea. Being reunited with Shayne on a Mediterranean cruise has been so much fun and this series has been a joy to make and I’m sure will be a joy to watch – who doesn’t love a cruise?’."

Other cast members include Claire Sweeney, Zak Douglass, Geoffrey Breton, Tommaso Basili, Jane Slavin, Olivia Fenton and Nikolai Tsankov.

Casting for series two hasn't yet been announced.

Check out all of the TV shows we can't wait for the return of:

Squid Game

Another roaring Netflix success, Squid Game had us all hooked when it was released in 2021. Breaking records and topping streaming charts, the show proved incredibly popular and after THAT ending, left us all wanting more.


Show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed that season two is officially happening, and now the third and final season has been announced for 2025. In July 2024, Netflix bosses confirmed series two will land on 26th December 2024.

Stranger Things

Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production! Despite this, there's still no word yet on a release date.

Gavin & Stacey

Five years after THAT cliffhanger ending of the last Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, Ruth Jones and James Corden have now confirmed they've written another Christmas special for 2024! Sharing the news in May, the pair confirmed the brand new episode will air on Christmas Day.

Outnumbered

BBC bosses confirmed in May that award-winning comedy Outnumbered will return for a brand new Christmas special in 2024! The original cast Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez will all reprise their roles. The special is expected to air on Christmas Day.

Celebrity Big Brother

Following the first rebooted series in 2024, which welcomed celebs such as Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and David Potts, it was confirmed that Celebrity Big Brother will be returning for another season in 2025!

The Night Agent

After series one was Netflix's most-watched show of 2023, bosses were quick to commission The Night Agent for a second series!. Although we don't have an official start date just yet, in October 2024, bosses confirmed it will land in Winter 2025. The show has also now been renewed for a third series.

Hijack

Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! No plot or start date has been announced just yet, but reports are rife that production will begin soon.

Unforgotten

Following the tense ending to series five in April 2023, ITV/STV bosses were quick to reveal drama series Unforgotten had been commissioned for a sixth series. Filming started in March 2024, so we imagine the new episodes could land later in the year.

Black Mirror

In March 2024, Netflix bosses revealed a seventh series of Black Mirror will land in 2025, with one of the episodes set to be a sequel to series four episode USS Callister. No official date has been announced just yet.

Gladiators

Following the hugely successful first series, BBC bosses were quick to announce Gladiators had been commissioned for a second series! Although there's no official start date, filming took place in August, which also included a celebrity special!

The Bay

ITV/STV drama The Bay was immediately renewed for a fifth series, following the fourth in 2023. Marsha Thomason is set to reprise her role as DS Jenn Townsend. Although there's no start date just yet, filming wrapped in July 2024.

Deal or No Deal

Deal or No Deal was one of the most successful reboots of 2023, so it's no shock bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series. Applications for series two are open now, with Stephen Mulhern expected to return later this year.

I'm A Celeb

It is the show we all look forward to towards the end of the year, and this year is no different! Ant and Dec are set to head over to Australia alongside more brave celebs for the 2024 series of I'm A Celeb. The popular entertainment show usually begins in November.

Dancing On Ice

Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby are set to return in early 2025 for a brand new series of Dancing On Ice. Which celebs will sign up this time round?

Race Across The World

Series four of Race Across The World was one of the BBC's most popular shows of the year, and they were quick to renew the show for a fifth series. With applications closing in May this year, we suspect the show will air around Spring 2025.

The Traitors

Following that tense final of The Traitors series two earlier this year, fans cannot wait for the return of the show, with series three expected in early 2024. In August 2024, BBC bosses also announced the show had been renewed for a fourth series, with filming set to begin in 2025.

Love Is Blind: UK

Following the successful first series of Love Is Blind: UK, with hosts Matt and Emma Willis, Netflix have now confirmed the series has been renewed for a second instalment! Applications are open now, with series two set to air in 2025.

Red Eye

ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming is due to begin in 2025, but there's no word on any release date just yet.

Mrs Brown's Boys

The popular controversial comedy Mrs Brown's Boys is returning for a fifth season! The show made its almighty return to screens in 2023, with fans delighted at the news that not only do we have some festive specials on the way - but a brand new mini series coming our way - with filming set to begin in 2025.

Emily In Paris

That's right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way - with fans taking it upon themselves to dub the season 'Emily In Rome'.

Trigger Point

Following two successful series, ITV/STV bosses announced in October 2024 that they'd commissioned Trigger Point for a third series, with production set to begin in London in 2025. Vicky McClure will reprise her role as bomb disposal operative Lana Washington, with series three expected to air sometime in early 2026.

Nobody Wants This

It was one of the most popular rom-coms of 2024, so it's no surprise Netflix bosses were quick to renew Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. Although there's no exact release date for series two just yet, we suspect it will be sometime in 2025.

Have Shayne and Catherine worked together before?

Shayne and Catherine played the roles of Aidan Connor and Eva Price in popular soap Coronation Street, enjoying a close working relationship as their characters endured some pretty major storylines.

After Shayne's character Aidan cheated on Catherine's character Eva, she faked a pregnancy and caused Aidan to lose his factory, but later chose to forgive him in time for their wedding. Despite this, Aidan couldn't forgive Eva for her lies and the pair split up.

As soap fans will know, Shayne was then involved in one of Coronation Street's most hard-hitting storylines when his character Aidan took his own life in heartbreaking scenes in 2018.

After Shayne left the soap in August 2018, Catherine later quit her role in 2019, to focus on other acting work after seven years in Weatherfield.

Now read:

The best true crime documentaries to binge on Netflix

TV fans are loving new ITV crime drama Red Eye

All of the popular TV shows looking for applicants right now

How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio:

Listen to Greatest Hits Radio on the free Rayo app, online or on your DAB digital radio. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying “Play Greatest Hits Radio”.