5 and Acorn TV have confirmed the special guest stars joining season 5 of their popular crime drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries, with EastEnders and Doctor Who favourite Bonnie Langford among the familiar faces heading to sun-soaked Sainte Victoire.
The new seven-episode run, which begins on Thursday 29 October, boasts a line-up of guest stars that reads like a roll call of much-loved British entertainers.
Alongside Langford, you can expect to see Justin Moorhouse (Phoenix Nights), Brian Capron (Coronation Street), Lesley Joseph (Birds of a Feather), Jason Manford (Waterloo Road), Michael Fenton Stevens (Slow Horses), Su Pollard (Hi-de-Hi!), Louisa Lytton (EastEnders), Frazer Hines (Emmerdale) and Zoe Lyons (Mock the Week).
They slot in alongside the show's returning regulars. Sally Lindsay stars as Jean White, with Steve Edge as Dom Hayes and co-writer Sue Vincent as Gloria Beaushaw.
Robin Askwith and Sue Holderness return as Jeremy and Judith Lloyd James, with Alex Gaumond back as Chief of Police André Caron.
Also returning are Tony Robinson as Dom's Uncle Patrick, Paul Chuckle as Gloria's dad Trevor, and Stephen Bailey, once again causing trouble as gangster John Marsden.
Season 5 picks up as Jean and Dom plan their wedding, only to find that nothing can prepare them for the obstacles ahead.
Over the course of the run, a dead body is found in one of the show's iconic locations, Uncle Patrick hosts a pub quiz at La Couronne, Judith and Jeremy face a heart-wrenching dilemma, and someone is discovered foaming at the mouth in St Victoire Theatre.
Viewers will also witness the full wrath of John Marsden, and wait to see whether Jean and Dom finally make it down the aisle.
Lindsay, who created and co-wrote the show, said: "Victoire has attracted some absolute stellar stars who have all been absolutely fantastic.
"We are so thrilled with this series and love that the world of Madame Blanc gets bigger and better every year."
And fans have more to look forward to beyond the screen. The first Madame Blanc novel, Madame Blanc and the Antiques Affair by Sally Lindsay with RW Green, will be published in November 2026 as an official prequel to the TV series.
As is tradition, the series will also return for a Christmas special.
"With even more mind‑boggling mysteries, murders and eye‑popping antiquities than ever before, The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 5 will have you on the edge of your sun‑drenched seat," teased 5.
You can watch The Madame Blanc Mysteries on 5 at 9:05pm on Thursday 29 October.
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