Whitstable Pearl series 3 gets its free-to-air premiere on U and U&Drama in July, and cosy crime fans have every reason to be pleased. After all, it’s one of the best of its kind.
Kerry Godliman returns as the ridiculously likeable Pearl Nolan, who continues her sleuthing on the beautiful Kent coast. Fans of the show will know that the local restaurant owner set up a local detective agency after undergoing police training in an earlier career…
And she soon became embroiled in some seriously baffling cases. But what exactly is she investigating this time around? Here’s everything you need to know about Whitstable Pearl series 3, coming to U and U&Drama in July.
Howard Charles as DCI Mike McGuire in Whitstable Pearl [Credit: U&Drama]
Is there a series 3 of Whitstable Pearl?
There is indeed a third series of Whitstable Pearl. It landed on Acorn TV in October 2024. However, it is now available to watch on free-to-air channel U and U&Drama.
In the latest episodes, Kerry Godliman reprises her role as restaurant owner Pearl Nolan. Series 3 finds Pearl fully immersed in her private investigating, leaving most of the running of the restaurant to her mother Dolly and Ruby.
Meanwhile, DCI Mike McGuire returns to Whitstable having been away for a few months… He arrives back a changed man – leaner, fitter and more Zen. But will this last? It doesn’t take a private investigator to take a damn good guess!
A synopsis tells us: “There is still clearly a deep connection between Pearl and Mike… But Pearl’s concern is more about Mike’s state of mind throughout the series.
“As their paths continually cross, solving Whitstable crimes, it becomes clear to Pearl that Mike is far from resolved with his wife’s death and is determined to help him find closure.”
Series 1 first aired on Acorn in 2021, followed by series 2 in 2022. Fans had to wait a bit longer for series 3, which came two years after series 2 in 2024.
How and when can I watch Whitstable Pearl series 3?
Whitstable Pearl series 3 arrives on U&Drama on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 9pm.
It will stream as a box set from launch.
Howard Charles and Kerry Godliman reunite in series 3 of Whitstable Pearl [Credit: U&Drama]
Who’s in the cast?
Kerry Godliman returns as Pearl Nolan, restaurant owner-turned-private investigator. Kerry is perhaps best known for appearing in Ricky Gervais’ TV shows, including Derek, Extras, and After Life. She led the cast of Jack Dee’s sitcom Bad Move between 2017 and 2018, before going on to play Teens in the gritty drama Save Me.
Trigger Point fans will know her as Sonya Reeves in the first two series.
Howard Charles reprises his role as DCI Mike McGuire. He previously played horribly menacing Curtis in Top Boy, and Porthos in The Musketeers alongside Strike‘s Tom Burke.
Frances Barber stars as Dolly, Pearl’s mum. The veteran actress is known for her multiple film roles, as well as significant roles in Rhodes, Real Women II, Silk, Funland, and Doctor Who. More recently, Frances starred as Cheryl in Dreamland, and Olivia Arnold in The Chelsea Detective.
Isobelle Molloy plays Ruby. The young actress previously portrayed Bella Young in EastEnders.
Comedian and actor Robert Webb returns as Pearl’s boyfriend Tom. Of course, TV audiences know him best for being one half of Mitchell and Webb comedy duo with Ludwig‘s David Mitchell. Together they created and starred in Peep Show, and Back.
Frances Barber as Pearl’s mum Dolly in the Whitstable-based drama [Credit: Channel 4]
Who guest stars in Whitstable Pearl series 3?
Robert Webb guest stars in episodes 1 to 3. Don’t ask us what happens to him after that, we don’t want to blurt out any spoilers!
Downton Abbey star Penny Downey portrays local photographer in the first episode of the series.
EastEnders and Grantchester star Kacey Ainsworth portrays Cassie in episode 2.
Jaye Jacobs plays Tanya Thomas in episode 2. She’s best known for playing Donna Jackson in Holby City between 2004 and 2022.
The always funny W1A star Rufus Jones plays Theo in episode 3.
‘Allo ‘Allo legend Vicki Michelle – aka Yvette ‘Oooooh, René’ Carte-Blanche – will also guest star in the series. She’ll play Patti in episode 4.
Kate Robbins also pops up in Whitstable Pearl episode 4 as Janet.
Gavin & Stacey and The Feud actor Larry Lamb plays Dickie Masters in episode 4.
Merseybeat and The Archers’ David Hargreaves stars as Jacob Cranage in episode 5.
Nick Moran, of Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels fame, stars as Anthony Corella in episode 6, aka the series 3 finale.
How many episodes is it?
Whitstable Beach series 3 is six episodes in total. That follows the same pattern as the previous two series. Each episode is roughly an hour long.
In episode 1, a local photographer called Izzy asks Pearl to investigate a cold case. Her plea comes after she’s knocked unconscious on the beach while taking photos of a young woman she believes to be Gemma, the missing daughter of her friend Val.
Val is convinced that Gemma’s husband Luke had something to do with her disappearance seven years ago. Having visited Luke, Pearl immediately becomes suspicious when she finds parcels with handwritten labels in Luke’s bin. She subsequently enlists Mike’s help to forensically test the evidence and discover if Gemma has returned.
Pearl and Mike investigate the disappearance of a missing girl in Whitstable Pearl series 3 [Credit: U&Drama]
Is the cosy crime series based on a book?
Like Murder Most Puzzling, and The Marlow Murder Club, Whitstable Pearl is based on a series of books.
The series is based on the novels by Julie Wassmer. There are now 10 books in the series, with an 11th on its way. The first,
The books in order go as follows:
1. The Whitstable Pearl Mystery (2015)
2. Murder-On-Sea (2015)
3. May Day Murder (2016)
4. Murder on the Pilgrims Way (2017)
5. Disappearance at Oare (2018)
6. Murder Fest (2019)
7. Murder on the Downs (2020)
8. Strictly Murder (2021)
9. Murder at Mount Ephraim (2022)
10. Murder At The Allotment (2024)
11. Murder at St Alfred’s (2026)
Where is it filmed?
As the name suggests, the majority of the filming took place in the seaside town of Whitstable in Kent.
Filming locations include the harbour, the yacht club, and the beach. Various scenes have also been shot in neighbouring Margate, the Port of Ramsgate, Dover, and Hernhill.
