Acorn TV has confirmed The Chelsea Detective has been renewed for series 4 as production in London is confirmed

If you’ve read our guide to shows to watch for free on UKTV, you’ll know we’re big fans of The Chelsea Detective. The good news for fans is the show has been renewed for a fourth series and production is already underway in London. The show should be on our screens in 2026.

As we’ve just had series 3 on UKTV, our assumption is series 4 will appear around the middle of next year.

What is series 4 about?

From the AMC (Acorn TV’s parent company) press release:

Filming has commenced in and around London with Adrian Scarborough (Killing Eve, The King’s Speech, 1917) and Vanessa Emme (Dublin Murders, Three Families) reprising their roles as Detective Inspector Max Arnold and Detective Sergeant Layla Walsh, respectively. Season 4, consisting of four feature-length episodes (4×90’), will premiere on Acorn TV in 2026.

Season 4 sees DI Max Arnold (Scarborough) and DS Layla Walsh (Emme) return to tackle four new murders within the elite world of Chelsea – a fashion mogul sinking fast in the trappings of her wealth; an aristocratic dynasty guarding their bloodline with brutal devotion; and a wellness and beauty salon owner concealing lethal truths – all falling under the relentless scrutiny of our duo. This season also features a cryptic double-murder that begins in Chelsea and spirals outward, drawing our team into the cut-throat world of architecture. The regular cast return to crack each case and – while a hint of romance is in the air for Max – as ever, the road to justice is anything but smooth.

Additionally, Sophie Stone (Shetland) returns as the brilliant, if occasionally daunting, Chief Forensics Officer Ashley Wilton, Lucy Phelps (Grace) as research and tech queen DC Jess Lombard, Peter Bankolé (Peaky Blinders) as officer DC Connor Pollock, along with Frances Barber (Whitstable Pearl) as Max’s Aunt Olivia, full of joie de vivre as ever.