The BBC's cosy crime drama Beyond Paradise has captivated viewers since its 2023 debut, offering a mix of comfort and mystery set against stunning coastal backdrops. The spin-off of Death in Paradise follows detective Humphrey (Kris Marshall) and his fiancée Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott. Now in its fourth season, with filming for season five reportedly starting in July, the show remains a binge-worthy favourite.
While the series is set in Devon, much of the filming actually takes place in Cornwall, particularly the coastal town of Looe. Known for its picturesque pier, sandy beaches and quaint village atmosphere, Looe provides the ideal setting. Key locations include Looe Bridge, Fore Street (which doubles as Shipton Abbott's market square) and The Guildhall, which serves as the police station.
Other Cornish towns featured include Fowey, Saltash, St Germans and Launceston. Launceston becomes Shipton Abbott's high street, complete with its own castle and steam railway. Saltash, often called “the Gateway to Cornwall,” hosts Pentillie Castle and Estate, where Humphrey and Martha's houseboat is docked. The show occasionally films in Devon too, such as the boatyard scenes shot at Bere Alston.
Executive producer Tim Key told Radio Times: “We knew it had to be set somewhere beautiful and, in the UK, we are spoilt for choice.” Writer Tony Jordan added that the locations were partly inspired by his childhood holidays in Devon and Cornwall, describing the region as “paradise in its own way.”
