Eagle-eyed fans of the hit BBC drama Death in Paradise are convinced they have pieced together the true identity of DI Mervin Wilson's mysterious brother, Solomon. The speculation erupted following the show's festive special, which aired on Sunday, 29 December 2024, and featured a long-awaited, albeit brief, phone call between the siblings.
The Pivotal Phone Call
In the Christmas episode, DI Mervin Wilson, played by actor Don Gilet, finally received a call from his long-lost brother. Solomon rang from an unrecognised number in Antigua, catching Mervin completely off guard. Initially thinking it was a nuisance call about a phone upgrade, Mervin's world stopped when the voice on the line said, "It is me, Solomon, your brother."
The detective was rendered speechless, pulling his car over to take in the moment. After a heartfelt but rushed exchange, where Solomon apologised for taking so long to make contact, Mervin was forced to abruptly end the conversation. He had just spotted a vital clue to the murder case he was solving on a beach, telling his brother, "I really want us to talk again, but right now, there is something I need to do."
Fan Theories Run Riot Online
Since the episode aired, the Death in Paradise fan community has been buzzing with theories about Solomon's true identity. On dedicated social media pages, viewers have been dissecting every detail of the cryptic call.
One fan posted on a Facebook fan page, "Glad Commissioner Patterson is back and dying to find out who Solomon is." Another speculated intriguingly, "I wonder if we have already seen him." This sentiment was echoed by others, with one viewer guessing, "I reckon he is someone we have seen before," and a curious fan asking, "Why is Solomon calling on an unknown number?"
The anticipation for a face-to-face meeting is palpable. "Can't wait to see Mervin and his brother meet for the first time," one viewer wrote, while another predicted, "A Mervin and Solomon meet-up is on the cards for the new series of Death in Paradise."
Commissioner Patterson's Welcome Return
The Christmas special also marked the unexpected return of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, portrayed by Don Warrington. Selwyn, who was visiting his daughter in the UK, assisted Mervin with a murder case linked to Swindon. Furthermore, the commissioner made a charming crossover cameo in the Beyond Paradise Christmas special, attending the wedding of Humphrey Goodman and Martha Lloyd.
With the new series of Death in Paradise on the horizon, all eyes are now on how the mystery of Solomon Wilson will unfold and whether the fans' detective work has paid off. The show is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
