Don Gilet and Kris Marshall are returning for the Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise Christmas specials, but fans are divided over the early release date. Both festive specials will be available on BBC iPlayer from Friday, 27 November, earlier than usual and ahead of their television broadcasts during the festive period.
Early iPlayer release sparks fan debate
Some viewers have argued that the November release is "too early" for a Christmas episode. One disgruntled fan wrote: "Spoiling it by putting it on iPlayer so early... won't be anything to look forward to," while another commented: "Wow, that's early."
Another viewer said: "Looking forward to this BUT not watching on iPlayer. Why the early iPlayer release, for goodness sake???" One added: "It's not at Christmas if it's being shown at the end of November!"
Cast and festive special details
Don Gilet will reprise his role as DI Mervin Wilson in Death in Paradise, while Kris Marshall returns as DI Humphrey Goodman in Beyond Paradise. Humphrey and the Shipton Abbott team will tackle a baffling Christmas mystery.
Gilet will be joined by Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose, Catherine Garton as Sergeant Mattie Fletcher and Elizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey. The Beyond Paradise special will feature guest stars including Johnny Vegas, Paul Chowdhry, Martin Trenaman, Syreeta Kumar, and Sam Hunter.
Filming wraps on series 16
The reaction comes as Death in Paradise actress Elizabeth Bourgine, who plays Catherine Bordey, confirmed filming had wrapped on series 16 and the festive special. Sharing a photograph of the cast on Instagram, she captioned the post: "It's a wrap."
Fans were quick to celebrate the update. One wrote: "Cannot stop watching this show. Just started season 1 again for the 3rd time." Another commented: "So excited for the new series to start in the New Year." Referring to Gilet, one fan said: "The best detective is back."
Christmas special synopsis
The official synopsis for the Death in Paradise special 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."
"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 Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise Christmas specials will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from Friday, 27 November.
