Benidorm TV show · Series guide
Benidorm series guide: every series, episode and filming location
Ten series. Seventy-four episodes. Two specials. ITV's Benidorm, created by Derren Litten for Tiger Aspect, ran from 1 February 2007 to 2 May 2018 and was filmed on location in the real Benidorm every year.
Below is the complete series-by-series breakdown with original air dates, writers, directors and UK viewing figures, followed by a full guide to where each part of the Solana was actually filmed.
Looking for the actors instead? Head to our cast of Benidorm guide.
2007 · 6 episodes · avg 4.43m
Series 1
Originally aired 1 February – 8 March 2007
The half-hour original run that introduced the Solana all-inclusive resort and its regulars: the Garvey family from Manchester, swingers Donald and Jacqueline, middle-class refuseniks Martin and Kate Weedon, pub-quiz obsessive Geoff 'The Oracle' Maltby and his mum Noreen, salon couple Gavin and Troy, barman Mateo and manageress Janey Yorke. Episodes are untitled and simply numbered.
- •Madge, her mobility scooter and her sunbed territorial warfare become an instant cult hit
- •Chantelle Garvey and The Oracle begin the show's most unlikely romance
- •Opening episode drew 5.86 million viewers and a 26% share
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 1 | 1 February 2007 | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 5.86m |
| 2 | Episode 2 | 8 February 2007 | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 4.86m |
| 3 | Episode 3 | 15 February 2007 | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 3.88m |
| 4 | Episode 4 | 22 February 2007 | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 4.02m |
| 5 | Episode 5 | 1 March 2007 | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 3.85m |
| 6 | Episode 6 | 8 March 2007 | Derren Litten | Kevin Allen | 4.13m |
2008 · 8 episodes · avg 5.98m
Series 2
Originally aired 28 March – 16 May 2008
Moved to a 9pm slot and extended to eight episodes, series 2 turned Benidorm into a genuine ratings hit. Millionaire Mel Harvey (Geoffrey Hutchings) arrives and sets his sights on Madge, while the Weedons return for another holiday they insist they are not enjoying.
- •Mel Harvey courts — and eventually marries — Madge
- •Wendy Richard guests as Madge's love rival Sylvia
- •Margi Clarke appears as Gavin's estranged mother Dorothy
- •Won Best Comedy Programme at the 2008 National Television Awards
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Episode 1 | 28 March 2008 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 7.14m |
| 8 | Episode 2 | 4 April 2008 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.05m |
| 9 | Episode 3 | 11 April 2008 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 5.59m |
| 10 | Episode 4 | 18 April 2008 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.29m |
| 11 | Episode 5 | 25 April 2008 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 5.70m |
| 12 | Episode 6 | 2 May 2008 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 5.21m |
| 13 | Episode 7 | 9 May 2008 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 5.57m |
| 14 | Episode 8 | 16 May 2008 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.32m |
2009 · 7 episodes · avg 6.52m (series), 5.23m (special)
Series 3 (plus the Summer Special)
Originally aired Summer Special 31 May 2009; series 2 October – 6 November 2009
An hour-long Summer Special bridged series 2 and 3 before the show moved to a 45-minute format. Tim Healy debuts as Les/Lesley Conroy in a single blind-date scene with The Oracle and is promptly promoted to regular. Sheridan Smith arrives as Brandy and the Chantelle–Oracle story reaches its close.
- •Tim Healy's first appearance as Lesley Conroy
- •Sheridan Smith as Brandy; Robin Askwith as conman Gary Snelling
- •Una Stubbs guests in the finale as Martin's mother Diana
- •Chantelle and The Oracle walk off to Spanish Eyes — the last episode for both characters
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Summer Special | 31 May 2009 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 5.23m |
| 16 | Episode 1 | 2 October 2009 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.50m |
| 17 | Episode 2 | 9 October 2009 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.17m |
| 18 | Episode 3 | 16 October 2009 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.38m |
| 19 | Episode 4 | 23 October 2009 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.68m |
| 20 | Episode 5 | 30 October 2009 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.61m |
| 21 | Episode 6 | 6 November 2009 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.80m |
2010–2011 · 7 episodes · avg 7.77m (series), 7.41m (special)
Series 4 (plus the Christmas Special)
Originally aired Christmas Special 26 December 2010; series 25 February – 8 April 2011
The show's ratings peak. Following Geoffrey Hutchings' death in July 2010, the Christmas special was rewritten so Mel died off-screen. A large cast refresh brings in Kenneth Du Beke, Liam Conroy, Sam Wood, Natalie Jones and Pauline Maltby, while Johnny Vegas, Hannah Hobley and the Weedons depart.
- •Christmas special features Louie Spence, Brian Murphy, Su Pollard and Roy Wood at Benidorm Palace
- •Series opener drew 8.61 million — the highest-rated episode of the whole run
- •Cilla Black and Bananarama guest during the series
- •Won Most Popular Comedy Programme at the 2011 National Television Awards
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Christmas Special | 26 December 2010 | Derren Litten | John Henderson | 7.41m |
| 23 | Episode 1 | 25 February 2011 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 8.61m |
| 24 | Episode 2 | 4 March 2011 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 8.11m |
| 25 | Episode 3 | 11 March 2011 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 7.43m |
| 26 | Episode 4 | 25 March 2011 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 7.41m |
| 27 | Episode 5 | 1 April 2011 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 7.24m |
| 28 | Episode 6 | 8 April 2011 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 7.82m |
2012 · 7 episodes · avg 7.06m
Series 5
Originally aired 24 February – 6 April 2012
The turning point: Janey Yorke is replaced by Sherrie Hewson's Joyce Temple-Savage, and Liam returns as maintenance man. From here the Solana's staff, rather than its guests, drive most storylines. Steve Pemberton co-wrote three episodes, which is what persuaded Derren Litten to keep the show going past series 4.
- •Sherrie Hewson debuts as Joyce Temple-Savage
- •Michelle Butterly joins as Trudy; Matthew Kelly recurs as Cyril Babcock
- •Cast filmed a Sport Relief sketch, 'Benidorm's Got Talent', broadcast 23 March 2012
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Episode 1 | 24 February 2012 | Derren Litten | John Henderson | 7.72m |
| 30 | Episode 2 | 2 March 2012 | Derren Litten | John Henderson | 7.42m |
| 31 | Episode 3 | 9 March 2012 | Steve Pemberton | John Henderson | 7.56m |
| 32 | Episode 4 | 16 March 2012 | Neil Fitzmaurice | John Henderson | 7.06m |
| 33 | Episode 5 | 23 March 2012 | Steve Pemberton | John Henderson | 6.41m |
| 34 | Episode 6 | 30 March 2012 | Steve Pemberton | Sandy Johnson | 6.90m |
| 35 | Episode 7 | 6 April 2012 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.37m |
2014 · 7 episodes · avg 6.76m
Series 6
Originally aired 2 January – 13 February 2014
After a year off, Benidorm returned in a new January slot with the loudmouth Dyke family from Watford — Clive, Tonya, Tiger and Bianca — at war with the Garveys, and Joan Collins sweeping in as Solana group CEO Crystal Hennessy-Vass.
- •Joan Collins joins as Crystal Hennessy-Vass
- •Hannah Waddingham and Bel Powley's only series as Tonya and Bianca Dyke
- •Nicholas Burns returns as Martin Weedon on a stag do after five years away
- •Cameos from The Krankies, Rustie Lee and Janet Street-Porter
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Episode 1 | 2 January 2014 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 7.95m |
| 37 | Episode 2 | 9 January 2014 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 6.92m |
| 38 | Episode 3 | 16 January 2014 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 6.42m |
| 39 | Episode 4 | 23 January 2014 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 6.44m |
| 40 | Episode 5 | 30 January 2014 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.15m |
| 41 | Episode 6 | 6 February 2014 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 6.46m |
| 42 | Episode 7 | 13 February 2014 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 7.01m |
2015 · 7 episodes · avg 5.60m
Series 7
Originally aired 2 January – 13 February 2015
The Garveys' farewell series. Leslie Jordan guests as attorney Buck A. Roo, who informs the family they have inherited $30 million and relocates them to Las Vegas. Johnny Vegas and Elsie Kelly return as Geoff and Noreen, and Alan David joins as Glynn Flint to cover Kenny Ireland's absence.
- •Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran, Sheila Reid and Oliver Stokes exit together
- •Johnny Vegas returns as The Oracle after four series away
- •Ruth Madoc appears as Glynn's wife Rhiannon
- •Charlotte Eaton joins as Terri Dawson
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | Episode 1 | 2 January 2015 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 7.27m |
| 44 | Episode 2 | 9 January 2015 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 5.41m |
| 45 | Episode 3 | 16 January 2015 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 5.45m |
| 46 | Episode 4 | 23 January 2015 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 5.47m |
| 47 | Episode 5 | 30 January 2015 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 5.40m |
| 48 | Episode 6 | 6 February 2015 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 4.79m |
| 49 | Episode 7 | 13 February 2015 | Derren Litten | Sandy Johnson | 5.40m |
2016 · 7 episodes · avg 5.32m
Series 8
Originally aired 11 January – 22 February 2016
A soft reboot. Donald is killed off-screen following Kenny Ireland's death, and the Dawson family — Billy, Sheron, Rob, Jodie and granddad Eddie — become the show's new central holidaymakers. Troy and Pauline return, and Sheila Reid makes her final guest appearance as Madge.
- •The Dawsons arrive: Steve Edge, Julie Graham, Josh Bolt, Honor Kneafsey and Bobby Knutt
- •Nathan Bryon joins as Joey Ellis; Jessica Ellerby as Solana staffer Amber Platt
- •Shane Richie guests as Sammy Valentino
- •Sheila Reid's last appearance as Madge Harvey
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Episode 1 | 11 January 2016 | Derren Litten | Robin Shepperd | 6.82m |
| 51 | Episode 2 | 18 January 2016 | Derren Litten | Robin Shepperd | 5.05m |
| 52 | Episode 3 | 25 January 2016 | Derren Litten | Robin Shepperd | 5.09m |
| 53 | Episode 4 | 1 February 2016 | Derren Litten & Gaby Hull | Robin Shepperd | 4.68m |
| 54 | Episode 5 | 8 February 2016 | Derren Litten & Gaby Hull | David Sant | 6.09m |
| 55 | Episode 6 | 15 February 2016 | Derren Litten & Gaby Hull | David Sant | 4.84m |
| 56 | Episode 7 | 22 February 2016 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 4.68m |
2017 · 9 episodes · avg 4.78m
Series 9
Originally aired 1 March – 3 May 2017
The longest run so far at nine episodes. Shelley Longworth returns as Sam Wood, now a Solana holiday rep, and Tim Healy is written out of the back half of the series after falling ill during filming, with Simon Greenall's Neville covering Neptune's.
- •Sam Wood returns re-cast as the hotel's holiday rep
- •Simon Greenall joins temporarily as barman Neville
- •Final series for Johnny Vegas, Paul Bazely and Danny Walters
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | Episode 1 | 1 March 2017 | Derren Litten | Robin Shepperd | 5.79m |
| 58 | Episode 2 | 8 March 2017 | Derren Litten | Robin Shepperd | 4.95m |
| 59 | Episode 3 | 15 March 2017 | Derren Litten & Gaby Hull | Robin Shepperd | 4.84m |
| 60 | Episode 4 | 29 March 2017 | Derren Litten & Gaby Hull | Robin Shepperd | 4.59m |
| 61 | Episode 5 | 5 April 2017 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 4.46m |
| 62 | Episode 6 | 12 April 2017 | Mark Brotherhood | David Sant | 4.72m |
| 63 | Episode 7 | 19 April 2017 | Damon Rochefort & Mark Brotherhood | David Sant | 4.62m |
| 64 | Episode 8 | 26 April 2017 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 4.69m |
| 65 | Episode 9 | 3 May 2017 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 4.46m |
2018 · 9 episodes · avg 4.98m
Series 10 — the final series
Originally aired 28 February – 2 May 2018
The last series. Shane Richie returns as Sammy Valentino, Laila Zaidi joins as Rob's girlfriend Cyd and Julian Moore-Cook as Callum. Bobby Knutt died in September 2017 shortly after filming wrapped and the opening episode was dedicated to him. ITV confirmed in July 2018 that there would be no eleventh series.
- •Episode 1 dedicated to Bobby Knutt (Eddie Dawson)
- •Preceded by the documentary 'Benidorm: 10 Years on Holiday', broadcast 20 February 2018
- •Derren Litten directed the final two episodes himself
- •Litten went on to create BBC One's Scarborough with several Benidorm alumni
| # | Episode | Original air date | Written by | Directed by | UK viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | Episode 1 | 28 February 2018 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 5.77m |
| 67 | Episode 2 | 7 March 2018 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 5.89m |
| 68 | Episode 3 | 14 March 2018 | Derren Litten | David Sant | 5.15m |
| 69 | Episode 4 | 21 March 2018 | Mark Brotherhood | David Sant | 5.60m |
| 70 | Episode 5 | 4 April 2018 | Mark Brotherhood | David Sant | 5.30m |
| 71 | Episode 6 | 11 April 2018 | Mark Brotherhood | Duncan Foster | 4.96m |
| 72 | Episode 7 | 18 April 2018 | Mark Brotherhood | Duncan Foster | 4.54m |
| 73 | Episode 8 | 25 April 2018 | Derren Litten | Derren Litten | 4.50m |
| 74 | Episode 9 | 2 May 2018 | Derren Litten | Derren Litten | 4.45m |
Where was Benidorm filmed?
Benidorm was genuinely filmed in Benidorm, on Spain's Costa Blanca, with an annual location block in the resort. The Solana itself is stitched together from several real places within a few minutes' walk of each other in the Rincón de Loix and Levante areas.
The Solana pool — Sol Pelicanos Ocas
All the poolside action, from Madge's sunbed campaigns to Mateo's cocktail service, was shot at the Sol Pelicanos Ocas, a real working hotel you can still book today. Its terraces and pool decks are instantly recognisable to anyone who watched the show.
The guest rooms — Acuariam II apartments
Bedroom and balcony scenes were filmed in the Acuariam II apartments next door, which overlook the same pool — which is why the view from the Garveys' balcony always matched the poolside scenes.
Neptune's — Morgan's Tavern
Neptune's, the all-inclusive bar with its nightly karaoke and resident singer, was filmed at Morgan's Tavern near the Sol Pelicanos Ocas. To make exits from Neptune's cut cleanly to the pool, the crew built a false facade onto the hotel's bar area.
Reception and the Blow 'n' Go salon — 'The Pink House'
The Solana reception desk, Joyce's office and Kenneth's salon were studio sets built inside a building opposite Benidorm Palace, known to the production as The Pink House.
Benidorm Palace and around the resort
Benidorm Palace appears on screen more than once, notably in the 2010 Christmas special. Beyond that, Levante beach, the Old Town, the Rincón de Loix bars and the seafront promenade all feature across the ten series.
Specials and one-offs
- Summer Special — 31 May 2009, an hour-long bridge between series 2 and 3 (5.23m)
- Christmas Special — 26 December 2010, rewritten after Geoffrey Hutchings' death (7.41m)
- Benidorm's Got Talent — Sport Relief sketch, 23 March 2012
- Benidorm: 10 Years on Holiday — documentary, 20 February 2018, with Derren Litten touring the real locations
- Benidorm Live — the 2018–19 stage tour, with Jake Canuso, Sherrie Hewson, Tony Maudsley and Adam Gillen reprising their roles
Awards and audience
Benidorm won Best Comedy Programme at the 2008 National Television Awards and Most Popular Comedy Programme in 2011, plus back-to-back Best Comedy Show wins at the TV Choice Awards in 2014 and 2015. Its peak was the series 4 opener on 25 February 2011, watched by 8.61 million people. During the run of series 4, interest in holidays to Benidorm itself was reported to have risen by 159%.
Visiting Benidorm after watching the show
The resort the show sends up is still very much there. Browse hotels in Benidorm, see what's on tonight, or work through our entertainment guide and tribute act listings — the real-life Neptune's equivalents run seven nights a week.