Death in Paradise Star Ben Miller Expresses Desire for Dramatic Return
Actor Ben Miller, renowned for his role in the beloved BBC crime drama Death in Paradise, has openly hinted at a potential comeback to the series. This revelation comes as the show celebrates its 15th anniversary, sparking excitement among fans who have long missed his character, Detective Inspector Richard Poole.
From Guadeloupe to Saint Marie: A Brief Look Back
In 2010, Ben Miller, now 59 years old, travelled to Guadeloupe to film the inaugural series of Death in Paradise. He portrayed Detective Inspector Richard Poole, a disgruntled London police officer who was reassigned to the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie. However, in a shocking twist at the end of series two, his character was killed off during a small gathering with former university friends at a beachside property.
Overcoming the Obstacle of Death
Despite his character's demise, Miller has not ruled out a return. In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, the father-of-three, who also serves as an ambassador for the charitable initiative Read It Forward by Bookshop.org, suggested he would be eager to rejoin the show for its next milestone celebration. He acknowledged the challenge, stating, "I'd love to come back, but my character gets murdered in the show. They would have to be in a flashback or in a dream, but I have done one."
Miller pointed out that this would not be the first time his character has appeared posthumously. He recalled, "I did go back for the 100th episode. I played my character in a flashback scene with DS Camille Bordey (played by Sara Martins) on the anniversary episode, and that was brilliant; it was great fun." He even humorously proposed potential plot twists, such as Richard Poole having an unknown twin brother, and credited writer Tony Jordan with the creativity to make it happen.
A Busy Year Ahead: From Drama to Quiz Shows
Meanwhile, Ben Miller is preparing for another television reunion this year. He disclosed that he will be stepping away from serious dramas to take on a new role on the cherished BBC quiz show Pointless. He will appear alongside presenter Alexander Armstrong, marking their first on-screen collaboration since 2010. The duo, known as the comedy partnership Armstrong and Miller, previously delighted audiences with sketch programmes in the 1990s and again between 2007 and 2010 with The Armstrong & Miller Show, which won a BAFTA.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new gig, Miller said, "I'm gonna be on Pointless by the way, and I think it might be on quite soon. I went and recorded six or seven shows, so there'll be a little run of shows where I'm doing the sort of Richard Osman gig. We recorded it last Autumn, and I think filling his shoes will be quite a task."
Supporting Literacy Through Charity
In addition to his television work, Miller is involved in philanthropic efforts. He has joined forces with former Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho and YA novelist Gill Sims for the Read It Forward initiative, aimed at fostering a love for reading among the next generation. Funds from this initiative will support BookTrust and Scottish BookTrust, helping children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Speaking about the initiative, Miller gushed, "I'm delighted to be teaming up with Bookshop.org, whose mission to help local bookshops thrive online is something I wholeheartedly believe in. And what better time to support such a brilliant drive than the National Year of Reading just upon us?"
Death in Paradise remains available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, allowing fans to revisit Miller's iconic performance and speculate on his potential return.
