The third series of Return to Paradise, the Australian spin-off of BBC's Death in Paradise, returns with six hour-long episodes beginning on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from November 6.
The new season picks up after the departure of pathologist Glenn Strong (Tai Hara) and sees Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson) and Senior Constable Colin Cartwright (Lloyd Griffith) investigate seemingly impossible murders, including an artist stabbed in front of an audience, a wildlife worker killed in a locked cage and a film director shot at her own screening.
Premiere and weekly schedule
Fans will get a bumper premiere with two episodes airing on BBC One from 7.30pm until 9.25pm. The synopsis for the first instalment reads: "Resident wedding ruiner Mackenzie Clarke is paying the price for Glenn's absence. With Phil offside and a disastrous first impression made with new pathologist Leo, she's not winning any popularity contests in Dolphin Cove."
"So when an artist dies on stage in front of an audience during an avant-garde performance piece for the local art fair, Mackenzie is dismayed to find that their main suspect, the victim's muse, has a surprising and complicated connection to her."
There will be no episode on November 13, as BBC One hosts Children in Need 2026 from 7pm to 10pm. Episodes are expected to resume the following week and continue weekly on Fridays.
New cast members and guest stars
New faces joining the series include Mack's defiant mother, Jillian (Kerry Armstrong), and charismatic new pathologist Leo (Jacob Collins). Each episode will feature Australian guest stars including Robert Mammone and Bruce Spence.
Anna Samson said her character is emotionally unstable at the start of the season following Glenn's departure, explaining: "The big pain for her is that Glenn has left Dolphin Cove and she feels hugely responsible. For the first time, she's not trying to run away from Dolphin Cove, she's sitting in a kind of self-inflicted punishment as a form of penance."
She added: "She's back in uniform; she's sitting it out hoping that Glenn will come back because she doesn’t feel she can move forward without him. She’s in a state of limbo." Samson also said the introduction of Mack's mother offers insight into why Mack does not like Dolphin Cove and the failed wedding to Glenn.
Fan reaction
Fans have shared their excitement on X, formerly Twitter, with one saying: "Something on the BBC worth watching on Friday nights at last!" Another added: "Omg yayyyy!! Friday nights just haven’t been the same." A third shared: "Fabulous news. I can't wait."
Return to Paradise airs on BBC One on Fridays at 7.30pm.
