A star from the popular BBC detective series Death In Paradise has provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the production, revealing that the reality of filming was far from the idyllic image viewers might expect. Daniel Ward, who portrays the character Solomon in the show, opened up about his experiences shooting on location in the Caribbean, detailing challenging environmental conditions that contrasted sharply with the sunny paradise depicted on screen.
Unexpected Filming Challenges in the Rainforest
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Daniel Ward explained that while Death In Paradise is set on the fictional island of Saint Marie, actual filming takes place in Guadeloupe. However, the actor described how his specific filming days were anything but glamorous or luxurious. "The filming days that we had were not glorious and luxurious," Ward revealed. "Where we were filming was rainy, wet, muddy 'cause we were filming in the rainforest."
He elaborated on how this created a completely different experience from what other cast members might have encountered during production. "So it was quite a different experience than what other people were having because it was soaking," Ward said. "There were days that we had to stop filming because of the amount of rain."
Microclimate Creates Filming Disparities
The actor further explained the peculiar weather conditions they faced, noting that Guadeloupe's microclimate meant that while their rainforest location was experiencing heavy rainfall, other parts of the island remained pleasant and sunny. "We literally were in the rainforest and it has a microclimate so when we were filming, other parts of the island were still kind of sunny and lovely and nice," Ward described.
He emphasized the physical challenges of working in such conditions, stating: "There was a lot of mud. I don't think I've had a filming experience where I've had so much mud or have been so damp. But that was all part of it. It was lovely and glorious and fun, but it was very dirty and muddy and that mud smells as well!"
Character Development and Personal Touches
Beyond discussing the filming conditions, Daniel Ward also shared insights into how he developed his character Solomon for the series. The actor revealed he deliberately incorporated elements from his own Caribbean heritage to add depth and authenticity to the role. "My mum was born in Barbados, my dad was born in Jamaica. I pulled from a culture and society that I'm familiar with," he explained.
Ward described Solomon as having "a strong sense and a strong appreciation for family, even if it isn't always expressed in the most conventional way." He pointed to a particularly meaningful moment from the previous season where Solomon visited his mother's grave, highlighting the character's emotional connection to his family background.
Thoughtful Costume Details
The actor also discussed a subtle but significant costume detail that helps convey his character's backstory. "One of the beautiful things that we were able to do is that he actually wears a bracelet that is also similar to the necklace that his mum wears in the previous season," Ward revealed. "Just like a small little detail - but I felt it was important, and it was lovely to get to explore that and bring that to the character."
Current Episode Developments
Daniel Ward's character Solomon plays a crucial role in tonight's episode of Death In Paradise, which sees Mervin traveling to Antigua in search of his brother. The storyline takes a dramatic turn as Mervin finds himself in significant trouble while attempting this family reunion, with genuine concerns emerging about his fate following a terrifying twist in the plot.
Despite the challenging filming conditions he experienced in the rainforest, Ward's portrayal of Solomon continues to contribute to the complex family dynamics and emotional depth that have become hallmarks of the long-running BBC detective drama, now in its latest season with new episodes airing regularly.
