The sun-drenched island of Saint Marie will host a chilling festive mystery this year as the Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2025 makes its return to BBC screens on December 28. This year's holiday episode swaps tropical cocktails for a deadly secret when a lavish office Christmas party ends in murder.
A Festive Party Turns Fatal
The special opens with a scenario many will find relatable, albeit with a deadly twist. Four colleagues wake up after an epic office Christmas celebration, suffering from what is described as "the hangover from hell." Their recovery takes a sinister turn upon the discovery of a stranger, shot dead and floating in their villa's swimming pool.
Leading the investigation is DI Mervin Wilson, portrayed by Don Gilet. He is joined by his team, DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah). However, viewers will immediately notice a significant absence from the police station: the familiar, authoritative presence of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson.
Why Selwyn Patterson Left Saint Marie
The departure of Don Warrington's character, a stalwart of the series since 2011, was set in motion at the end of the previous series. After a turbulent season where he fought to keep his job, Selwyn was ultimately reinstated. In a poignant final scene, he chose to decline the offer and leave Saint Marie instead.
In a quiet moment at a local pub with friend Catherine Bordey (Élizabeth Bourgine), Selwyn explained his surprising decision. "I don't know, but it felt wrong to say yes," he confessed. "Too much has happened, and right now, I can't see a way to get back to how things were." He hinted at plans to visit his daughter, Andrina, but left his return date uncertain, telling Catherine, "Who knows?"
Don Gilet, who plays DI Mervin, elaborated on the emotional impact of Selwyn's exit on the team. "Selwyn has been the only one that really gets Mervin from a paternal perspective," Gilet explained. "He's the only one that he's shared his demons and fears with... It's certainly a great loss." He added that the commissioner's absence has "left an emotional hole in the team."
The Baffling Christmas Case
Without their commissioner, the team faces one of their most perplexing cases yet. They quickly identify the murder weapon, but the investigation hits a major obstacle: the gun was allegedly locked in a drawer thousands of miles away in Swindon at the time of the shooting. This seemingly impossible fact forms the core of the festive mystery.
Complicating matters further, the victim was a complete stranger to all four suspects, and he had the name of one of Santa's reindeer tattooed on his palm. As Mervin, Naomi, and Seb delve deeper, they uncover a web of secrets and criminality that stretches far beyond the villa.
The official synopsis hints that the team might seek help from "an old colleague spending Christmas in the UK," leaving the door open for a potential cameo. Meanwhile, Mervin grapples with personal turmoil, still awaiting a response from his newly discovered brother, which threatens his festive spirit.
Élizabeth Bourgine revealed that her character, Catherine, was initially "upset – and angry!" at Selwyn's decision to leave. "She was angry because it was too easy for him to abandon things after all of that," Bourgine said. However, as his best friend, Catherine's support for Selwyn remains unwavering, whether he is on the island or not.
The Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2025 promises a classic puzzle-box mystery set against the festive backdrop of Saint Marie, testing its beloved team like never before in the wake of a foundational loss.
