Since Death in Paradise premiered in 2011, BBC audiences have witnessed numerous actors headline the series as the lead Detective Inspector.
Initially, Ben Miller portrayed Detective Inspector Richard Poole across two series before Kris Marshall assumed the mantle as DI Humphrey Goodman. Though he remains within the Paradise universe through his own spin-off series, he departed Saint Marie in 2017, with Ardal O'Hanlon arriving as DI Jack Mooney before Ralf Little became a fixture in 2020 as DI Neville Parker.
Following DI Neville's departure from the island to pursue a relationship with DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert), the starring role has subsequently been filled by Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson.
Yet, given the programme typically introduces a fresh Detective Inspector every few years, certain viewers have already begun speculating about who might succeed Don Gilet when that moment arrives.
Reddit User Spots Pattern
Within a Reddit discussion, one fan believes they've identified a recurring pattern regarding succession, noting that former DIs have previously appeared in cameo roles. In their post, they stated: "I'm doing a full rewatch and I was surprised to find 2 very familiar faces in early episodes of the show. In season 2 episode 6, Ralph Little (DI Neville Parker) is a suspect in DI Richard Pool's case. In season 4 episode 1, Don Gilet (DI Mervin Wilson) is a suspect in DI Humphrey Goodman's case. If we were to follow the trend and were to pick a 'suspect' from DI Jack Mooney to be the next DI, who would you like it to be?"
Fan Predictions
It didn't take long before viewers weighed in on the speculation, with numerous people sharing their predictions about who might step into the DI role next. One viewer suggested: "S7E2 Mark Benton?" In support, another responded: "He's fabulous in Shakespeare & Hathaway! Definitely would be great DI." While a third chimed in: "He's even more fabulous in Smoggie Queens!"
Meanwhile, another fan proposed: "That bloke who played Neil in the Inbetweeners was one of the suspects in the Zoo episode. He was dumb in The Inbetweeners like Dougal in Father Ted, so maybe he could be a clever DI like Jack."
However, one commenter suggested that Ralf Little's 'real life partner in crime' Will Mellor would make an excellent addition to the BBC drama.
Death in Paradise is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
