Don Gilet and Shantol Jackson have revealed that the departure of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson has left an “emotional hole” in Saint Marie, as the character’s absence will be keenly felt when the show returns for its 2025 Christmas special.
After decades of service, Selwyn (Don Warrington) chose not to return as commissioner following his reinstatement at the end of season 14, opting instead to take time for himself. Speaking about the impact, current lead Don Gilet, who plays DI Mervin Wilson, said: “Selwyn has been the only one that really gets Mervin from a paternal perspective. He’s the only one that he’s shared his demons and fears with and he’s always a step ahead.” Gilet added that Selwyn’s exit left a “great loss” and an “emotional hole” in the team.
DS Naomi Thomas actor Shantol Jackson echoed the sentiment, describing Selwyn as more than a boss: “He was like a friend, sometimes like an uncle, and sometimes even like a father. That wisdom he offered is irreplaceable – he’s left a gap that cannot be filled.”
The door has been left open for Selwyn’s return, especially after Warrington reprised the role in the Beyond Paradise Christmas special. Viewers last saw Selwyn depart Saint Marie after encouraging Mervin to reconnect with his brother and sharing a touching farewell with Catherine Bordey.
The 2025 Christmas special airs tonight (Sunday 28th December) at 8.30pm on BBC One, featuring a baffling locked-room mystery involving a stranger found dead in a Caribbean villa pool, with the murder weapon sealed in a drawer thousands of miles away in Swindon.
