Death in Paradise Star Teases Romance in Marlow Murder Club Return
Former Death in Paradise actress Jo Martin has hinted at a potential romantic storyline as she reprises her role in the beloved cosy crime drama The Marlow Murder Club. In an exclusive interview, Martin teased that her character, Suzie Harris, might be dipping her toe back into the dating world in the upcoming third season.
The Marlow Murder Club's Cosy Crime Universe
The Marlow Murder Club is an English-based mystery series created by Robert Thorogood, the mastermind behind Death in Paradise. The show follows three amateur detectives—retired archaeologist Judith Potts, professional dog walker Suzie Harris, and vicar's wife Becks Starling—as they investigate crimes in the tranquil riverside town of Marlow.
Their sleuthing skills have earned them positions as civilian advisers to Detective Sergeant Tanika Malik, played by Natalie Dew. The core trio is portrayed by Samantha Bond as Judith, Cara Horgan as Becks, and Jo Martin as Suzie.
Jo Martin's Character Evolution
Jo Martin's character, Suzie Harris, is a sharp-witted, straightforward, and sociable professional dog walker who co-parents a daughter with her Jamaican ex-husband. In the previous season, Suzie grappled with loneliness after her only child, Zeta, left for university, creating an empty nest scenario.
Martin explained how this dynamic shifts in the new season: "What you find in season three is that she starts living her life. She realises that this is not a loss, this is a gain. You've done your work. Of course, your work is never done as a mother. She will always be a mother," the actress revealed.
"But she's now realising when she felt like, 'Oh, empty nest. I'm lonely,' or, 'Will she come back?' Now, she's like, 'Oh, I can do anything. I can go here, go there. I've got no one to answer to.' Before it was a negative, and it is now a plus."
Romantic Teasers and New Storylines
Teasing a potential love interest, Martin continued: "This season, there's a little hint that she may have a bit of romance. Watch out! She's dipping her toe back into that world. Before she had no time, being a single mum. She had no notion to, with running the business, being a single mum. She wasn't really about that, and about bringing a man into the house. That was never going to happen."
"But now, she's seeing Judith kind of having this blossoming thing with Hugh Quarshie's character, the professor, and I think she's thinking, 'Well, if Judith can do it, there's life in this old dog.'"
Season Three Premiere Details
The third season of The Marlow Murder Club is scheduled to debut on Wednesday, March 18, at 8pm on U and U&DRAMA. The upcoming series will feature a three-story structure, including an adaptation of Thorogood's third Marlow book, The Queen of Poisons.
Now officially part of newly promoted DI Malik's crime-solving squad, Judith, Suzie, and Becks return to apply their unorthodox techniques to a series of high-profile murders. However, the amateur detectives quickly discover that their investigations may be more personal than ever before, adding new layers of tension and drama to the cosy crime format.
Jo Martin's Connection to Robert Thorogood's Universe
This marks another collaboration between Jo Martin and creator Robert Thorogood. Martin previously appeared in Thorogood's creative universe as Rakesha Lorde in Death in Paradise's 2022 Christmas special. Her return to The Marlow Murder Club reinforces her presence in the expanding world of British cosy crime dramas, blending mystery with character-driven storytelling.
