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Privacy NoticeDeath in Paradise has seen many actors come and go, with the fictional paradise of Saint Marie being a dangerous place due to all the stabbings, shootings and ice pick-related deaths. This is what makes the BBC drama about detectives solving crimes on a tropical island so popular. Over 11 seasons, there have been more than 70 killings, including one of the lead characters, making it almost as deadly as Midsomer Murders. Four different actors have played the role of the leading detective – Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon and Ralf Little. The BBC has already commissioned a 14th run of the show and will also return for a Christmas special this year, which is set to film over the coming months. With Ralf Little expected to leave as Neville Parker in the episode out on Sunday 24 March – here, OK! looks at the previous detectives, and why they left the show.
Ben Miller was the very first detective to arrive in Saint Marie
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Ben Miller – Richard Poole The entire series began with Detective Inspector Richard Poole who arrived on the tropical island wearing a suit and tie – he refused to wear anything weather appropriate attire. DI Poole didn’t like living in Saint Marie at first, but he slowly got used to it. However, his time on the island was cut short when he was killed at a university reunion after threatening to reveal someone’s secret – with an ice pick. Ben Miller decided to leave the show in 2014 to focus on his personal life – he was about to become a dad. He said: “Two weeks after I arrived in the Caribbean, Jessica found out that she was pregnant. “I’ve just got divorced and I’ve finally met somebody and now I’m on the other side of the world and we’re having a baby. That’s a big surprise to deal with. So I knew what I had to do to get my wife back, quit Death in Paradise! ”
Ben Miller played Lord Featherington in Bridgerton series one
(Image: Netflix)
The actor became famous alongside Pointless host Alexander Armstrong in their comedy sketch show Armstrong and Miller. Since then, Ben has starred in the Johnny English films, Primeval, Doc Martin and Upstart Crow. Most recently, Ben has played Lord Featherington in the Netflix series Bridgerton, who in the first series gambled all his family’s money away before being killed off-screen. Even though his character had a definite ending on Death in Paradise, Ben actually came back for the 10th anniversary celebrations. The actor was excited to return to the show as he felt he had “unfinished business” with the character, who appeared as a vision in the last series.
Kris’ character was so popular the BBC gave DI Humphrey Goodman his own show back in the UK
Kris Marshall – Humphrey Goodman Kris Marshall, who became famous on My Family, took over from Ben Miller in the third series of the show. He played DI Humphrey Goodman, a detective who was a bit forgetful and messy but really liked living in the Caribbean and even found love with DS Camille Bordey (Sara Martins). But after sorting out a big case in London, DI Goodman chose to stay there with his new girlfriend Martha Lloyd (played by Sally Bretton). Kris Marshall decided to leave the show in 2017 because it was hard for his family. He shared with Radio Times that he and his wife Hannah had planned that he would only be in the show for “a few years”. Kris said: “It’s something my wife and I discussed three or four years ago. When I was first offered the job, my son was six months old and my wife wasn’t working, so it was a very easy decision. We decided I would do Death in Paradise for a few years until it became impractical.”
Kris and Sally now have their own Death in Paradise spin-off show, Beyond Paradise
(Image: BBC)
He knew he wouldn’t be on the show forever. “It was always quite a finite thing. I certainly didn’t hide it from anyone I work with. I’m going to miss it terribly. There have already been times when I’ve thought to myself, ‘Have I made the right decision? ‘”. Kris also mentioned that his son really enjoyed living in another country, but he knew “I really had to get my son to school.” He told Lorraine Kelly, “He was very good on the beach but not so good with Maths and English, so I decided that it was time to get him to school. So the show had to go, really. But six months later I’m standing on a film set in a car park in Dagenham thinking at 4 o’clock in the morning thinking, ‘Have I made the right decision? ‘”.
Embargoed to 0001 Thursday February 1 For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated handout file photo issued by the BBC of Ardal O’Hanlon as detective Jack Mooney in Death In Paradise, which is set to return for an eighth series. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday February 1, 2018. The sun-soaked show, set on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, will be back in 2019, with Ardal O’Hanlon again leading the team as Detective Inspector Jack Mooney. See PA story SHOWBIZ Paradise. Photo credit should read: Denis Guyenon/ NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
Ardal O’Hanlon – Jack Mooney The third man to take over as detective inspector was DI Jack Mooney, played by Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon. DI Mooney first appeared when the team travelled to England as part of a murder inquiry and was sent to Saint Marie for a holiday as a temporary replacement. After three years it was time for DI Mooney to move on – returning to London with daughter Siobhan Mooney (Grace Stone) instead of going off with love interest Anna. At the time, Ardal announced: “I’ve spent the last four summers in Guadeloupe playing DI Jack Mooney, solving over 20 murder cases in my time there! It’s been a hugely rewarding and unforgettable experience, working with incredibly talented actors, directors, and crew while discovering a magical part of the world. “Hinting that the heat may have been behind his decision to go, he added: “It’s time to move on and explore other opportunities preferably nearer the Arctic Circle.”
Fans are excited for the Death in Paradise final
Ardal, who has appeared in Doctor Who and Skins, has also done stand-up comedy on Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntrye’s Comedy Roadshow. Recently, he was seen as Eamonn in the second series of Channel 4’s comedy Derry Girls and also appeared on Taskmaster. Ardal O’Hanlon, who played DI Mooney, doesn’t seem to be returning to the show anytime soon. He shared that he felt a real sense of closure with the series.
Neville is determined to leave Saint Marie in the most recent episode of Death in Paradise
Ralf Little – Neville Parker Ralf Little, known for The Royle Family, first appeared midway through season 9 in 2020 as DI Neville Parker. His character had a tough time on the island due to his severe allergies. He said: “It’s the best job in TV. Not just in terms of location, because Guadeloupe is wonderful. But the show itself has become pretty iconic. In the space of an hour we get a puzzle and a murder which are fully resolved, along with a red herring and a couple of twists. “And you’ve got however many main characters who all have interplaying relationships and their own foibles and challenges to overcome.”
Florence’s return puts a spanner in the works as Neville prepares to leave the island
(Image: BBC / Red Planet / Amelia Troubridge)
He continued: “If you think of pretty much every other detective show, they have at least 90 minutes to get that done. I think being part of the show is a huge treat for me and kind of an honour.” Fans were crushed at the end of last week’s episode when Ralph’s character left Saint Marie without coming face to face with returning detective sergeant Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert). However, they are set to meet in the last episode of the series which airs on Sunday 24 March.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnDoc MartinDoctor WhoLorraineNetflixComedyDramaLorraine KellyDeath in ParadiseKris Marshall
