Ardal O'Hanlon Opens Up About Missing Death in Paradise Co-Star Don Warrington
Former Death in Paradise star Ardal O'Hanlon has made an emotional confession about his time on the popular BBC crime drama, revealing how much he misses his former co-star Don Warrington. The comedian and actor, who played DI Jack Mooney on the show, departed in 2020 after a three-year stint, and recently shared his heartfelt reflections during an appearance on ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.
'I Miss Him More Than Anything': A Heartfelt Bromance Revealed
During the interview, which aired on Sunday, February 22, O'Hanlon was asked by host Alan Titchmarsh if leaving the series and his long-time colleague was an emotional experience. "He's just brilliant, he's brilliant," O'Hanlon enthused about Warrington, who portrays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson. "I miss him more than anything, actually. I loved Don and we're still very good friends, but yeah that was kind of a bromance actually."
He elaborated on their dynamic, noting that it typically began with the new detective being wary of the inspector, but eventually softening by the end of each storyline. This professional rapport clearly blossomed into a genuine personal connection off-screen as well.
The Gruelling Yet Fondly Remembered Filming Experience
While the programme is set on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, most filming actually takes place in Guadeloupe. O'Hanlon admitted he did "love it" but acknowledged it was "a commitment," requiring months away from home each year for production. "I'm kind of in one way glad I don't have to do it now because it's like, it's gruelling, but I look back at it very fondly," he shared. "It was just a great adventure apart from anything else, as well as being like a, you know, a challenging acting job."
Cherished Memories with a Rotating Cast of Talent
O'Hanlon also highlighted the joy of working with a variety of actors who joined the cast periodically. "All these great great people... these people I adored," he said. "And then you'd also get the hot shots, the up-and-coming people who have gone on to Hollywood now. We got them raw."
As a seasoned member of the show, he took pride in introducing newcomers to the island's hidden gems. "Because you take great pride in the island, because I've been there for a few years and you get to love it and you can't wait to show it off to them," O'Hanlon explained. "So on the rare days off you'd bring them to some waterfall that only you know about or some boiling hot part of the sea like, right where the volcano heats the water, you know, that side of it I really, really loved."
Known for his iconic role as Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted, O'Hanlon's reflections offer a poignant glimpse into the behind-the-scenes camaraderie and challenges of filming a long-running television series. His words underscore the lasting impact of his time on Death in Paradise, both professionally and personally.
