Zahra Ahmadi, who plays Esther Williams in BBC's Beyond Paradise, has spoken out about the financial pressures facing the fictional Shipton Abbott police force. In a recent episode, DI Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall, was told he must make one of his four staff members redundant due to brutal budget cuts.
The storyline sees Humphrey faced with an 'impossible decision' as he must choose who to lay off from his team, which includes PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) and office support Margo Martins (Felicity Montagu). A new character, James Smith, informs Humphrey that the station must streamline to just three employees.
Speaking to Radio Times, Ahmadi expressed sympathy for her on-screen boss. 'He's put in such a difficult situation because Humphrey has so much heart,' she said. 'It's so tricky for me to say this, because I have to be respectful towards Death in Paradise, but I think he's really found his pocket in Shipton Abbott.'
The episode also saw the departure of Chief Superintendent Charlie Woods, played by Jade Harrison, who has been transferred to Dartmouth. Fans expressed disappointment on social media, with one writing: 'SUPERINTENDENT WOODS IS GONE!!! Days ruined now.' Another said: 'I'm disappointed about Charlie going. I liked her.'
Ahmadi added that every team member is important, and removing just one person would be felt deeply. The identity of the character set to leave remains unknown, leaving viewers speculating on who will get the chop.
