A star of the BBC crime drama Beyond Paradise has opened up about a part of the show that was 'heaven' to film. Zahra Ahmadi, who plays Detective Sergeant Esther Williams, shared her experience filming the fourth series against the stunning backdrop of South West England.
Emotional Series 4 Finale
The fourth season recently concluded with an emotional ending that left viewers in tears. The final scene saw the community of Shipton Abbott gather to bid farewell to beloved character Zoe Williams. Sally Bretton's character Martha Lloyd presented Zoe with a compass, saying: 'My dad gave me that compass when I went travelling so I didn't get lost. It is for explorers - and that is what you are now.' Zoe's mother, played by Ahmadi, worriedly asked: 'You are going to come home, aren't you?' to which Zoe sweetly replied: 'Always.'
Heavenly Filming Locations
In an interview with the BBC, Ahmadi admitted it was 'just heaven' to film the fourth series in locations including Looe, Launceston, Saltash, and Tavistock. Looe doubles as the fictional Devon town of Shipton Abbott. She described the scenery: 'The colour of the water when I was in Cape Cornwall the other day, it's crystal clear, it's blue, especially now in spring when everything's coming alive. The sheer number of greens that exist, the flowers are all in bloom, the birds are out - it is just heaven.'
Series 5 Confirmed
Thankfully for fans, a fifth series has been confirmed. Kris Marshall, who portrays Detective Humphrey Goodman, revealed production will commence soon, though he may have let slip the news prematurely. During an interview on BBC Sounds, Ahmadi said: 'I have been given permission to say that we have got a fifth series. It has been said by a certain Kris Marshall but he was not allowed, and he was very undisciplined and blurted it out but you are getting the true exclusive.'
Beyond Paradise Seasons 1 to 4 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. A release date for Series 5 is yet to be announced.
