Death in Paradise is a drama detective series on BBC One following different British detectives who join the police force on the beautiful (but fictional) Carribean island, Saint Marie.
There are 10 series of the show so far with a further two series confirmed at the beginning of 2021 as well as a Christmas special, which we’ve finally been given a little teaser for where an old character is set to make a reappearance.
If detective drama is your thing then Death in Paradise is probably right up your street. Here’s everything you need to know about the series, including who the cast are, where it is filmed and that all important Christmas special teaser.
Death in Paradise Christmas special
If you haven’t already heard the good news, Death in Paradise has confirmed that there will be another Christmas special for 2021 - hooray!
On the show's official Twitter page, they announced that the “sunny Christmas” episode will air in December and, as usual, there’ll be a host of familiar faces for the special guest line-up, including the return of Officer Dwayne Myers, played by Danny John-Jules.
The feature length episode will follow on from series 10 cliff-hanger where we were left wondering whether Neville (Ralf Little) confessed his true feelings to his colleague, detective sergeant Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert).
The official synopsis for the Christmas special reads: "It’s Christmas time on Saint Marie and Neville is preparing to head to Manchester to spend the holiday with his family. But his plans are abruptly changed when a billionaire shipping magnate dies in mysterious circumstances.
"Things only get stranger when a minicab driver in London receives a Christmas card with an ominous message inside that turns the entire case on its head. For Neville and the team, will this be a case they can crack together?"
As Florence was about to head off for Christmas at the end of series 10, the force is a member down, so the Commissioner reaches out to retired officer, Dwayne Myers , for an extra helping hand.
It also wouldn’t be Christmas without some special faces. Guest stars for the Christmas special of Death in Paradise include: Mathew Baynton (Ghosts), Juliet Stevenson (Riviera), Stanley Townsend (Informer), Jocelyn Jee Esien (Jack & The Beanstalk: After Ever After), Anthony Calf (Poldark), Tessa Bonham Jones (The Trial of Christine Keeler), Elizabeth Tan (Emily in Paris) and Tariq Jordan (Law and Order: UK).
Death in Paradise cast
DI Neville Parker played by Ralf Little
Neville is a brilliant detective who stepped onto St Marie midway through series 9 after DI Jack Mooney (played by Ardal O'Hanlon) returned home to the UK. When he arrives from Manchester, Neville isn’t keen. He’s allergic to a lot of things (especially mosquito bites) and, initially, struggles to warm to island life. He was called over to the island as a British detective was needed to sign off on a case, but eventually, Neville begins to take a liking to the island and the people, especially his colleague Florence Cassell.
DS Florence Cassell played by Joséphine Jobert
Florence is an extremely bright detective, who has risen through the ranks to detective sargeant at a young age. Having grown up in a household of men (she has five older brothers) Florence is strong-minded and great at sussing out a guilty conscience or when someone is lying, because she’s experienced it at home before! Sadly, her fiancé Patrice got caught up in a murder plot and was killed which saw Florence leave the island for a while, but it wasn’t long until she was ready to return to what she does best.
Commissioner Selwyn Patterson played by Don Warrington
Selwyn has spent his working career rising through the ranks of the police force and he’s proud to be leading one of the Caribbean's best police forces. Although, now he’s made it to the top he enjoys taking things a little easier...let’s just say the less work he has to do the happier he is.
JP Hooper played by Tobi Bakare
Over the years JP had proven himself as a reliable officer and became a firm member of the Saint Marie policing team. In series 10 JP was offered a position as head of a police training programme, which will sadly see him depart from the show. Tobi Bakare confirmed his characters departure from the show via Twitter writing: “Hi everybody. So yeah, it’s time that JP left the building. I want to thank you all for being such a great support to myself and to the character.
“He’s been a pleasure to play and to entertain all of your guys with.I hope that he’s etched in you guys’ memories as he will be etched in mine.”
Catherine Bordey played by Elizabeth Bourgine
French-born Catherine is one of the island’s locals who has spent many years on Saint Marie. She runs a beach-front bar, which always proves popular when the force have had a tough day and she’s also the Mayor of Saint Marie. She’s a bright, friendly face who genuinely cares about the island and its locals.
Marlon Pryce played by Tahj Miles
Marlon is the newest recruit to the Saint Marie police force. He’s a bit of a bad boy with a criminal past, who’s enrolled on a police scheme designed to rehabilitate troublemakers and turn them into good police officers. But going from hustling on the streets to a police officer is a big change for Marlon and it’s left viewers wondering if it’s one he’ll be able to do successfully.
DI Richard Poole played by Ben Miller
British detective Richard was the first detective to make his way over to Saint Marie from the Met Police, after he was assigned to investigate the death of a British police officer which had taken place on the island. After successfully finding the murderer he was asked to continue working on the island as the old detective's replacement, which he wasn’t too pleased about. However, his time on the island wasn’t long lived anyway as he was sadly murdered in series 3.
Detective Humphrey Goodman played by Kris Marshall
London detective Humphrey Goodman was sent out to Saint Marie to investigate detective Richard Poole’s death. He's clumsy and accident-prone, but this never stops him from being a great detective. When his wife tells him she’s leaving him, Goodman decides to stay on the island permanently. He then falls for his good friend Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) when the pair bump into each other unexpectedly on the island. When Martha returns to London Humphrey decides he couldn’t risk losing her and relocated to the city to be with her in series 6.
DI Jack Mooney played by Ardal O'Hanlon
Jack Mooney replaces Goodman on Saint Marie and brings his daughter, Siobhan, after he’d recently become widowed. A change of scenery was just what Mooney needed and he even managed to find love again with a witness, Anna, while working on a case, who even invites him to go travelling with her. In series 9 Mooney is torn about whether to leave the island and joini Anna on her travels. In the end he does leave the island but with his daughter and the pair of them return to London.
When is Death by Paradise on?
Series 10 of Death in Paradise was broadcast on BBC One from 7 January 2021 to 18 February 2021, with series 11 confirmed to air in January 2022. All the series of Death in Paradise are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer here.
Where is Death by Paradise filmed?
Love the look of the location where the series is filmed? You’re not alone. The Caribbean island of Saint Marie isn’t actually a real place and the series is in fact filmed in Guadeloupe, which is a French island in the Lesser Antilles. This explains why there are so many French speaking locals who appear as extras on the show.
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