Catherine Garton Joins Death in Paradise as Rebellious Sergeant Mattie Fletcher
The sun-drenched shores of Saint Marie are welcoming a fresh face as Death in Paradise returns for its highly anticipated fifteenth series. The BBC's beloved detective drama is set to introduce a compelling new character, Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, portrayed by the talented actress Catherine Garton. This casting news follows the departure of Ginny Holder from her role as Darlene Curtis, marking an exciting new chapter for the show's ensemble cast.
A New Dynamic for the Saint Marie Police Team
Series fifteen will see the return of familiar favourites including Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson and Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, who makes a welcome comeback after a brief hiatus. Elizabeth Bourgine's Catherine Bordey, Shantol Jackson's Sergeant Naomi Thomas, and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah's Officer Sebastian Rose are all confirmed to reprise their roles. However, the arrival of Sergeant Mattie Fletcher promises to inject a new energy into the team dynamic.
Mattie makes her debut in the series opener, with colleagues Naomi and Sebastian helping her navigate her new posting. Described as having a "rebellious" streak, she brings a different perspective to the squad. Don Gilet, who plays DI Wilson, elaborated on her character, stating: "There's definitely something of a rebel in Mattie. We haven't had that rebellious element, really. She's a bit younger, probably a similar age to Officer Seb Rose, but she's seen a lot more. She's a sergeant and she's more experienced and is always on the front foot."
Meet the Actress Behind the Badge: Catherine Garton
Catherine Garton steps into the role of Mattie following notable appearances in productions such as The Gray House, where she played Talulah, and Ibiza Narcos as Kelly. Audiences may also recognise her from Russell T Davies' recent Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, where she featured as Corporal Jane Hart across all four episodes.
Speaking about her new character, Garton described Mattie as "tenacious" and "sassy", adding: "She's like your big sister who will tell you what's what, but you can also come to her if you need to. She's very passionate about things, about her work and about the people that she grows to love, especially in the team. She's also very determined, almost too determined sometimes."
The actress revealed she learned she had landed the role in a rather unconventional setting. "I was in the shoe section of TK Maxx, one shoe off, sliding another one on and my agent called me and told me. It was a moment!" she recalled. Filming for the series took place in Guadeloupe, the stunning Caribbean location that doubles as the fictional Saint Marie. Garton enthused about the experience: "Guadeloupe is like a postcard. It's quite unreal. Every time I walked out I was like 'this exists, wow!'. It's absolutely stunning."
What to Expect from Series Fifteen
Viewers can anticipate a mix of intrigue and character development as Mattie settles into her new role. Garton hinted that audiences should expect "some action" and a character who is "lovable and who's trying their best, but almost to a fault." She explained: "She has something to prove to herself and to others and sometimes she can do that to her detriment, but it comes from a place of passion. They will see ups, downs and lots of sass!"
The dynamic between the experienced, front-foot sergeant and the more rookie Officer Seb Rose is set to be a highlight, with Gilet noting the "nurturing side as well as a rebellious side" that Mattie brings. However, her integration into the team may not be entirely smooth, as secrets from her past begin to emerge, adding another layer of mystery to the sun-soaked investigations.
Death in Paradise series fifteen premieres on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on Friday, 30 January, promising another season of captivating whodunits against a breathtaking tropical backdrop, now enhanced by Catherine Garton's spirited portrayal of Sergeant Mattie Fletcher.
