The sun-drenched island of Saint Marie is set for a chilling Christmas celebration as the BBC's Death in Paradise returns with a festive special full of mystery and murder. This year's episode promises an unforgettable office party that takes a deadly turn, leaving DI Mervin Wilson and his team with their most baffling case yet.
A Festive Party Turns Fatal
The Death in Paradise Christmas Special for 2025 centres on an office Christmas party that descends into chaos. Four colleagues wake up with severe hangovers to discover a shocking scene: a complete stranger has been shot dead in the swimming pool of their villa.
DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, arrives with DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) to untangle the mess. The investigation hits a bizarre snag when they identify the murder weapon. Incredibly, the gun was reportedly locked in a drawer thousands of miles away in Swindon at the time of the shooting. To add to the confusion, the victim has the name of one of Santa's reindeer tattooed on his palm.
All four suspects claim they have never met the deceased. As the team delves deeper, they uncover a complex web of secrets and criminal activity, realising they need all the help they can get. Hints suggest a former colleague, now in the UK for Christmas, might be persuaded to assist.
Navigating a New Era Without the Commissioner
This special episode marks the first major case for the team following the departure of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson at the end of series 14. His absence leaves a significant void. Don Gilet, who plays DI Wilson, explained the impact, stating: "It's certainly a great loss... It's left an emotional hole in the team and it's going to be interesting for audiences to see how they survive without him."
While it's unclear if Selwyn will appear, other familiar faces return to Saint Marie. Viewers can expect to see Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey and Ginny Holder as Darlene Curtis. The guest cast for this festive mystery includes notable names like Josie Lawrence, Kate Ashfield, and Pearl Mackie.
Broadcast Details and What to Expect
The Death in Paradise Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, December 28 at 8:30pm. The episode will run for a feature-length 1 hour and 30 minutes. This transmission comes one week after the spin-off series Beyond Paradise aired its own festive episode on December 21.
Alongside the central murder plot, the island's festive spirit is in full swing with the annual nativity play preparations. Mervin is roped into taking part, but his mind is elsewhere. He is still grappling with the revelation of a half-brother and the silence that followed his attempt to make contact. Don Gilet teased the episode's tone, saying: "There's plenty of humour, but even more heart... However, you can still get cosy, sip your Baileys and enjoy another great Death in Paradise Christmas special!"
With a locked-room mystery spanning continents, personal dilemmas for the DI, and the vibrant chaos of a Saint Marie Christmas, this special promises to deliver the perfect blend of intrigue and festive charm for audiences across the UK.
