McDonald and Dodds season 4: cast, plot, filming location and how to watch the ITV crime drama

McDONALD & DODDS will be returning to ITV1 for its fourth season in 2024.

The detectives are back on the case for three new stories. Here’s everything we know so far.

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What is ITV’s McDonald & Dodds season 4 about?

Season four consists of three feature-length episodes.

Smart and ambitious DCI McDonald is still paired up with her quietly brilliant sidekick DS Dodds. 

However, the mismatched duo work well together as they solve a new murder mystery each week.

In their first tricky case, the detectives begin to investigate when a middle-aged woman is found shot dead in a rented flat.

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The killer has “removed all clues to her identity, but DNA reveals she went missing over 35 years ago"

The questions asked of the duo are, where has she been all those years and who has she been with?

Fans haven’t seen DCI McDonald and DS Dodds since series 3 ended in 2022 – and it’s felt like a long wait for more episodes.

The series was commissioned for ITV by Polly Hill and Huw Kennair Jones and produced by Joe Shrubb. 

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Jones said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to the beautiful city of Bath for more original and inventive crimes for McDonald and Dodds to solve."

The fourth season also sees the pair investigate a possible serial killer after a number of wedding deaths.

Who stars in McDonald & Dodds?

Tala Gouveia

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The Nottingham-born actress has played DCI Lauren McDonald in the ITV drama since 2020. 

At first, McDonald had reservations about the affluent town of Bath and was sceptical about partnering with the reserved Detective Dodds. 

However, they soon developed a strong rapport. 

Gouveia’s television career began with a minor role as Nurse Green in EastEnders from 2011 to 2013. 

She has appeared in various other series, including as Gemma Murphy in Cold Feet on ITV1, the children's series Go Jetters on CBeebies, and the 2018 BBC1 Christmas special Click & Collect. 

She also voiced Cleo Farr in CBBC horror series Scream Street.

Jason Watkins

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Jason Watkins returns as Detective Sergeant Dodds in season four of McDonald & Dodds.

Known for his meticulous attention to detail and extensive knowledge, Dodds assists Chief Inspector McDonald in solving complex cases. 

In season four we learn more about his personal life when his childhood best friend, Alan "Jinxy"; Jones, is tragically murdered.

Watkins has appeared in numerous TV shows, even ending up being brutally murdered in Line Of Duty.

He won a Bafta TV Award for Best Actor in 2015 for playing the lead role in the two-part drama The Lost Honour Of Christopher Jefferies. 

He has also starred in Being Human, Trollied, W1A, as well as British Prime Minister Harold Wilson in season three of The Crown.

In 2024, he saw himself on the wrong side of murder in Coma.

His film work includes portraying Gordon Shakespeare in the Nativity franchise, and Principal Warfare Officer in the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.

Claire Skinner

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Outnumbered star Claire Skinner will be returning as Chief Superintendent Ormond.

As well as managing her odd detective duo, the chief is also a part-time member of the Bath Alley choir. 

Claire is a familiar face on Outnumbered, playing Sue Brockman alongside Hugh Dennis from 2007-2016.

She is also known for her collaboration with director Mike Leigh on two of his films, Life Is Sweet and Naked.

Charlie Jones

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Charlie Jones joins the team as Detective Constable Goldie.

Charlie was the third actor to play Ben Mitchell in EastEnders from 2006 until 2010, before being replaced by Joshua Pascoe.

Jones also starred in Noughts + Crosses and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.

Bhavik C. Pankhania

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Season four welcomes Bhavik C. Pankhania as Detective Constable Lee. 

Pankhania brings his technical expertise to assist the main detectives in unravelling complex cases. 

His previous roles include The Feed, World On Fire, and My Happy Ending.

Pixie Lott

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Joining the cast is Pixie Lott, portraying Lola Baker, the daughter of Suzi Green.

She finds herself accused of her mother’s murder at her own engagement party. 

The celebrated singer and actress has served as a judge on The Voice UK for seven seasons and has appeared in films Beastly, The Inbetweeners, and Fred: The Movie.

Toby Stephens

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Toby Stephens appears in one episode as business magnate Mark Holgate, who uses his investment firm as a façade for illegal activities. 

The episode deepens when Holgate’s twin sister Ann’s body is discovered in an apartment, having vanished 38 years earlier. 

Stephens is well-known for his roles in TV mini-series One Day, as well as movies Die Another Day, and The Machine.

Victoria Hamilton

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Victoria Hamilton joins the cast as Dora Lang, a photographer with a romantic link to Detective Sergeant Dodds. 

Initially suspected in the episode's case, Dora is eventually exonerated. 

Hamilton’s notable performances include movies Mansfield Park, and Scoop.

Her TV roles include Anna in Doctor Foster, and Anna Marshall in Cobra.

Hugh Quarshie

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Hugh Quarshie guest stars as Professor Clarence Adderly.

The professor is on the bus when passenger Ian Andrews dies.

Coincidentally, Andrews also attended Adderly's talk prior to his death. 

The professor lies about the fact that he was also riding the same bus as Andrews when McDonald and Dodds interrogate him.

Quarshie became a household name after portraying Ric Griffin in Holby City for 19 years.

He's also starred in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Highlander, Red Sparrow, and Nightbreed.

Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran

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Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran plays Nicolas Olayinka, an avid musician who asks Professor Clarence Adderly about AI recordings from Robert Johnson's original music.

Owokoniran joined the theatre cast of Beautiful Things in 2023.

He took on the starring role of Jamie.

He won the Ian Charleson Award, which celebrates the best performances by actors under 30 in a classical role, in 2023.

Owokoniran won for his performance as Algernon in Oscar Wilde's The Importance Of Being Earnest.

Lydia Leonard

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Lydia Leonard plays Lucy, the wife of Mark Holgate in episode two. 

As the story unfolds, it is revealed that she is behind the murders of both Ann Holgate and Suzi Green, and she schemes to implicate her husband in these crimes. 

Leonard’s previous roles include Last Christmas, The Fifth Estate, and Whitechapel.

She played Cherie Blair in The Crown and portrayed Suranne Jones' lesbian lover in Gentleman Jack.

Where is McDonald & Dodds filmed?

The beloved series has been filmed at the Studios and on various sites in Bath and Bristol since its first season in 2019.

The title sequence for the show features a question mark, which transforms into the title's ampersand.

It references the iconic overhead view of the Royal Crescent and The Circus, two listed structures in Bath that are frequently shown on screen.

How to watch McDonald & Dodds season 4?

McDonald & Dodds will return to ITV1 and ITVX from July 21, 2024.

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Each episode is two hours long, and will air in the coveted Sunday night 8pm to 10pm slot.

You can catch up on the previous series on ITVX.