Death in Paradise has confirmed the departure of Ginny Holder, who played Darlene Curtis, as a new police officer joins the Saint Marie police force. Actress Catherine Garton takes on the role of Police Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, filling the void left by Holder's absence.
Darlene was notably missing from the Christmas special, appearing only via video link. The cast expressed their sadness at Holder's exit, with Shantol Jackson, who plays DS Naomi Thomas, saying: 'We'll miss her.' She added: 'Ginny was like Queen Mother... She was auntie of the police station.' Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, who plays Officer Sebastian Rose, echoed: 'She was the auntie.'
Despite the departure, Jackson praised Garton's performance: 'Catherine has done so exceptionally well that you don't feel like there is an empty gap... She has done a really good job in carrying the baton.'
The new series sees Don Gilet return as DI Mervin Wilson, alongside Shantol Jackson, Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, Elizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey, and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah. Guest stars include Sarah Hadland, Siobhan Finneran, Hermione Norris, and others.
The synopsis reveals Mervin struggles to connect with his half-brother Solomon, while Commissioner Patterson works to regain the island's trust after his absence. New recruit Mattie Fletcher must settle in as shadows from her past emerge.
