The BBC drama Death in Paradise will return with a feature-length Christmas special, available on BBC iPlayer from Friday, November 27, ahead of its festive broadcast.
The series follows a team of police officers solving murder mysteries on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie. Over the years, the show has featured several lead detectives, including DI Jack Mooney (Ardal O'Hanlon), DI Richard Poole (Ben Miller), and DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little).
Cast and Guest Stars for the Festive Special
DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, returns to duty, joined by Don Warrington (Commissioner Selwyn Patterson), Shantol Jackson (DS Naomi Thomas), Shaquille Ali-Yebuah (Officer Sebastian Rose), Catherine Garton (Sergeant Mattie Fletcher), and Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine Bordey).
The episode features guest stars including Charlie Higson, Caroline Catz, Freddie Meredith, Shaun Dooley, Anneika Rose, Ene Frost, and Alexandra Mardell.
Plot and Synopsis
The official synopsis reads: "When the patriarch of one of Britain's most famous families is murdered on their private Saint Marie island, the Pendleford dynasty is thrust firmly into the spotlight - and under suspicion. The police team must pick through a combustible mix of family tensions, bitter rivalries and carefully buried secrets - and everyone has something to hide."
The logline continues: "As festive cheer curdles into suspicion and Seb and Mattie follow a crucial lead, a shocking connection to the past emerges. Can Mervin and the team unmask the killer before they strike again?"
The investigation threatens the team's festive plans, with Naomi torn between duty and family, while Selwyn is forced to revisit a case from his past with devastating consequences. Catherine's Christmas takes an unexpected turn when a chance encounter brings someone new into her life.
Spin-off and Series Background
The spin-off Beyond Paradise also returns this month with its own Christmas special, featuring DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and the Shipton Abbott squad. Guest stars include Johnny Vegas, Paul Chowdhry, Martin Trenaman, Syreeta Kumar, and Sam Hunter.
Death in Paradise is shot on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and has regularly featured among the UK's most-watched programmes. The series last appeared on television in March with the series 15 finale, which involved a death at sea and the appearance of a young girl claiming to be Mervin's niece.
