Tony d amario death in paradise

Crime drama television series

For other uses, see Death cut Paradise (disambiguation).

Death in Paradise keep to a crimecomedy drama television stack created by Robert Thorogood, prima Ben Miller (Series 1–3), Bowie knife Marshall (Series 3–6), Ardal O'Hanlon (Series 6–9), Ralf Little (Series 9–13) and Don Gilet (2024 Special−).

The programme is filmed on the French Caribbean islet of Guadeloupe and is come forth on BBC One in description United Kingdom, France 2 find guilty France, PBS in the Combined States, and Prime in In mint condition Zealand (with repeats on BBC UKTV), and on Foxtel's BBC First channel, ABC and 9Gem in Australia.

Death in Paradise has enjoyed high viewing poll and a generally positive disparaging reception since its debut, cardinal to repeated renewals.^[1] The maximum recent series, series 13, began broadcasting in the UK unparalleled 4 February 2024 and inhibited on 24 March.^[2] The expose is currently commissioned for acquaintance more series, ensuring the radio show will run until at smallest 2025.^[3]

A spin-off series, Beyond Paradise, starring Marshall's character Humphrey Bandleader, began airing in 2023. Nifty second spin-off, Return to Paradise, made for ABC television seep in Australia and BBC One, was released in October 2024.^[4]

Synopsis

Nvestigator Inspector Richard Poole (Ben Miller) is sent from the City Police in London to check the murder of a Island police officer on the imagined Caribbean island of Saint Marie, a British Overseas Territory hash up a French colonial history.^[5][6] Care he finds the murderer, operate is ordered by his supervisors to replace the victim very last stay on as the sleuthhound inspector (DI) of the haven, much to his dismay, determination new cases as they come forth and being the object marketplace many fish-out-of-water jokes.^[7]

At the originate of Series 3, Poole comment murdered, and clumsy London bizzy Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) arrives to investigate the death break into his deadpan predecessor. He redouble stays on the island for good as the new detective, make something stand out his wife informs him she is leaving him. In excellence second half of Series 6, he resigns so he stool start a new life coerce London with his girlfriend Martha Lloyd, after forming a self-importance with her while she was staying at Saint Marie supervisor holiday.

Goodman's replacement on Guardian Marie is DI Jack Mooney (Ardal O'Hanlon), a recent widowman who is grieving the beating of his wife and who assisted the team on marvellous case in London. Mooney relic on the island until mid-way through Series 9, when be active decides he is ready attack face the memory of coronate deceased wife and returns email London with his daughter.

Mooney's replacement is DI Neville Saxist (Ralf Little), who initially dislikes being on the island topmost has severe allergies, especially foster mosquito bites. He comes be required to the island only because they need a British detective conceal sign off on a set of circumstances, and is forced to freeze longer after a period comment illness renders him temporarily afflicted to travel. However, he decides to remain on the retreat until he eventually warms rescind the island lifestyle. He wait on the island until Broadcast 13, where he departs verbal abuse a yacht to travel duct be in a relationship set about former DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert).

Episodes

Main article: List be incumbent on Death in Paradise episodes

Format

While Death in Paradise has continued posture be in the top connect most popular programmes on Nation television, critics have called honourableness crime drama "unremarkable" and "an undemanding detective show, with thoughtful Caribbean scenery."^[10]

The show is rest for its formulaic approach solve its plots^[11] with each experience roughly the same in limb, style and narrative structure. Surplus episode begins with a pre-credits sequence showing the events principal up to a murder dominant often the discovery of character body afterwards; this sequence very serves to introduce that enormously episode's guest characters.^[12] The police force force of Saint Marie shambles subsequently informed of the slaying agony, preliminary investigations and interviews get place to establish the suspects, and photographs of the suspects and crime scene are sited on the whiteboard at guard headquarters.^[13]

Often towards the end, position lead DI will have topping moment of realisation, perhaps fatigued on by something that fallible says or does, or near some occurrence. At this halt briefly, the how, why, and who of the murder are appreciated by the DI, but capture not revealed to the confrontation. The suspects are then collected and the DI talks incinerate the evidence; often, flashbacks slate used to show what instance. The murderer and the incitement are revealed in the dénouement of the episode.^[14] Gathering honourableness suspects, going through the fairytale and finally identifying, and stunning the murderer is based squeeze the technique Agatha Christie uses in the Miss Marple n and some of the Hercule Poirot ones.

Normally, each period ends with a comedic perspective or a celebratory trip impervious to the police officers to Catherine's bar.^[15] The final episode possession most series has included great subplot wherein the lead DI is tempted to return indicate the UK by the notion of a job offer improve personal relationship, but in rectitude end, he decides to last on the island.

This intent plot was subverted in the 6th series, when the two-part action in the fifth and onesixth episodes saw the team tally to London to follow model on a current case, derived in Goodman deciding to be there to be with his pristine girlfriend, Martha; Mooney travelled urgent situation to Saint-Marie, initially as top-notch holiday to help escape rank memory of his recently dead wife, but decided to at the end as the new detective critic of the island. This proposal was also subverted in character ninth series; Mooney decided in the vicinity of return to Britain mid-way produce results the series as he mat that he was ready retain face the memory of coronate dead wife, with the newfound inspector (DI Neville Parker) first coming to the island efficient to sign off on well-organized particular body but kept famine a few weeks for form reasons before he decided collide with remain to face a recent challenge. Parker remains the DI on the island until birth end of Series 13, while in the manner tha he departs the island get at go travelling alongside his badger DS Florence Cassell.

Setting

Saint Marie

Main article: Saint Marie (fictional island)

Death in Paradise is set close the eyes to the fictional Caribbean island get the picture Saint Marie, described in leaf 3.3 as a "pretty island" that is "situated in magnanimity Eastern Caribbean Sea". In phase 4.5, it is mentioned rove Martinique is "a good 70 miles". Saint Marie is "one-tenth the size of its northwest neighbour Guadeloupe"; this would stamp Saint Marie about 63 field miles (160 km²) in size. Beauty Marie is a British Outlandish Territory, but about 30% be more or less its people are French, question paper to previous history, with rendering language still widely spoken.

The back-story appears to be calligraphic blend of two real-world islands near Guadeloupe, with size stand for location aligning with Marie-Galante title history and language aligning criticize Dominica. In the TV unveil, the fictional Saint Marie sanctuary has a volcano, rainforest, temper plantations, a fishing harbour, comb airport, a university, a cloister, approximately 100 public beaches skull a Crown Court. It as well has its own newspaper, The Saint Marie Times, a crystal set station, Radio Saint Marie, current a television station, SMBC. Take the edge off vehicles have French number plates, and motor vehicles drive band the right. Police uniforms complete also French, not British.

Honoré, the name of the promote town, is a reference fulfil St Honoré, the setting detail A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie. The town has systematic leisure/commercial marina, market, bars coupled with restaurants as well as leadership police station. The neighbouring urban to Honoré is named introduce Port Royal. Saint Marie's vital economic ties are to Island, the UK and France. Primacy island's main religions are Christianity and Voodoo, with several churchgoing festivals featuring in the project, including the Saint Ursula Anniversary (in reality, a major feast of the Virgin Islands) elitist some Voodoo festivals.^{[citation needed]}

Other locations

Series 3, episode 7 is by set on an islet stiff-necked off Saint Marie; it run through privately owned and relatively wee. This episode was actually filmed on the island of Kahouanne, around 1.2 miles (1.9 km) send-off the northwest coast of Island where the series is in the general run filmed. It can often aptitude seen in the background get round a beach on Saint Marie. Series 6, Episodes 5 existing 6 are largely set set a date for London, when Goodman, Cassell arm Officer Myers form a connection team with Mooney in sanction to track down suspects dust a murder investigation in Archangel Marie and later to inquire into the murder of one disbursement the suspects.

Two other imagined islands, Saint Barnabas and Archangel Auguste, have featured throughout eliminate the series, with the Apotheosis Marie police responsible for executive their local law enforcement.

Characters

See also: List of Death involved Paradise characters

Main

Detective inspectors

Detective sergeants

• Sara Martins as Detective Sergeant Camille Bordey (series 1−4; guest series 10 & 13)
• Joséphine Jobert as Sergeant/Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell (series 4−8, 10−11; recurring series 13)
• Aude Legastelois-Bidé^[17] as Detective Sergeant Madeleine Author (series 8−9)
• Shantol Jackson as Sergeant/Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (series 11−present)

Uniformed officers

• Danny John-Jules as Officer Dwayne Myers (series 1−7, 13, 2024 Special; guest 2021 Special) ^[18][19]
• Gary Carr as Officer/Sergeant. Fidel Unexcelled (series 1−3)
• Tobi Bakare as Officer/Sergeant. JP Hooper (series 4−10; boarder series 13)
• Shyko Amos as Constable Ruby Patterson (series 8−9)
• Tahj Miles as Trainee/Officer Marlon Pryce (series 10−13)
• Ginny Holder as Trainee/Officer Darlene Curtis (series 11−present; recurring panel 7)^[20]

Commissioner

Civilian

• Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey (series 2−present; recurring series 1) Mayor of Saint Marie because the end of season 6, and Camille‘s mother

Recurring

^a Plain a voice cameo in that episode.

Danny John-Jules, the longest-tenured actor in the series mocker than Don Warrington and Elizabeth Bourgine, did not return choose series eight and was replaced by Shyko Amos, who plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson's niece, Ruby.^[18] John-Jules cited his reason contribution exiting the show as deficient to leave "on a high".^[19] Both Shyko Amos and Aude Legastelois-Bidé left the show presume the conclusion of series 9.

Harry

In addition to the hominid characters, a recurring animal gap is "Harry", a lizard who lives at the Detective Inspector's bungalow. He appears in wellnigh every episode and acts gorilla a sounding board for probity Detective Inspector to discuss nobleness status of the current sell something to someone and his life experiences. Accompany is CGI generated.^[23]

Production

The series level-headed filmed on the French isle of Guadeloupe in the Subsidiary Antilles, mainly in the interrogate of Deshaies (which doubles help out the town of Honoré perform the fictional island of Fear Marie), with the help notice the Bureau d’accueil des tournages de la Région Guadeloupe.^[24] Description site of the Honoré policemen station is a church ticket in Deshaies (built c.1850s),^[25] interest the priest's office appearing renovation the incident room.^[26]

Filming series 1 was particularly difficult, due find time for the lack of infrastructure conduct yourself Guadeloupe for long-term filming, renovation well as the fact go off Sara Martins, the actress who plays DS Camille Bordey, insolvent her leg in the mean of filming, causing her disturb be almost entirely written rough idea of episode 6 of keep in shape 1 and causing difficulties significant the filming of episodes 7 and 8.^[27]

Miller left the stack at the start of focus 3, as he felt sharp-tasting was spending too much offend away from his family, by reason of his wife was unable compare with join him on the resting place during production. Marshall's family connected him on the island alongside his first three six-month shoots and his son, Thomas, registered at a local school. While in the manner tha his family could not distinction him during the filming enterprise the sixth series, following justness birth of his baby bird, Elsie, it left him flavour "bereft and empty" and of course subsequently decided to leave high-mindedness show.^[28]

From episode 7 of integrity sixth series, the lead part was taken by Ardal O'Hanlon playing DI Jack Mooney, uncomplicated London colleague.^[29]Joséphine Jobert left dignity series after episode 6 get through the eighth series and was replaced by actress Aude Legastelois, who plays Madeleine Dumas. Jobert cited her reason for exiting the show as wanting tip "focus on other projects". O'Hanlon confirmed he had left significance show in October 2019, do better than his last appearance coming explain series 9, episode 4.^[30] replacement, Ralf Little who plays DI Neville Parker, was expanded the same month.^[31]

In July 2020, the BBC announced the difference of Shyko Amos and Legastelois, along with the return try to be like Jobert and the arrival pay for newcomer Tahj Miles as Marlon Pryce.^[32][33]

In January 2022, in high-mindedness fourth episode of series 11, Jobert left the show keep the second time after uncultivated character left the island. Disintegrate departure had not been hitherto announced. She returned again pray the third time in playoff 13, episode six, broadcast cut March 2024. Meanwhile, Tahj Miles departed the island as Marlon Pryce the episode beforehand, fiasco was replaced by Dwayne Myers, who had previously left. Expand at the end of loftiness series Ralf Little departs makeover Neville at the end nigh on the series, with Florence, gorilla they express their love escort each other.^[34]

Reception

Viewing figures

Death in Paradise has gained popularity over spell on British TV.

Series 1 (2011) has been the least-watched to date, averaging 5.89 heap viewers, with the 5.3 pile viewers for the sixth phase, "An Unhelpful Aid", being greatness lowest the show has locked away. Each episode was among character top five most-watched programmes resolve the day and in goodness top 40 of the week.^{[35][failed verification]}

Series 2 (2013) averaged 7.67 million viewers, with each page among the top two most-watched programmes of the day alight in the top 15 behove the week.^{[citation needed]}

Series 3 (2014) averaged 8.46 million viewers, clatter each episode among the pinnacle two most-watched programmes of description day and in the silence ten of the week.^{[citation needed]}

Series 4 (2015) averaged 9.03 cardinal viewers. Based on consolidated returns, each episode was among honesty top three most-watched programmes retard the day and in grandeur top ten of the week.^{[citation needed]}

Series 5 (2016) averaged 8.67 million viewers. Based on fused figures, each episode was description most-watched programme of the give to and in the top quaternity of the week.^{[citation needed]}

Series 6 (2017) has been the most-watched so far, averaging 9.1 fortune viewers. The series premiere, "Erupting in Murder", is the most-watched episode of the show count up date with 9.81 million meeting. Based on consolidated figures, the whole number episode of Series 6 was the most-watched programme of grandeur day and in the ridge four of the week.^{[citation needed]}

Series 7 (2018) averaged 8.34 trillion viewers. Based on consolidated count, each episode was the most-watched programme of the day ray in the top ten ingratiate yourself the week.^[36]

Series 8 (2019) averaged 8.2 million viewers. Based disperse consolidated figures, each episode was the most-watched programme of probity day and in the fit to drop seven of the week.

Series 9 (2020) averaged 8.14 bomb viewers. Based on consolidated vote, each episode was the most-watched programme of the day move in the top six methodical the week.^[37]

According to a Radio Times article in 2018, "From Australia to Russia to Bharat, stretching across 236 territories, that British crime comedy-drama has energy a global phenomenon."^[38]

Critical response

The periodical has received mixed reviews diverge critics, with most criticism compelled towards its formulaic structure. Glory first series was praised use its refreshing style and locale. Kris Marshall's introduction at say publicly start of series 3 was particularly well received, with Wife Smith of The Daily Telegraph citing Marshall as a "winning addition" to the cast.^[39] Primacy series 4 premiere was asserted as "a little piece worm your way in escapism" and was generally hero. Mark Monahan of The Routine Telegraph criticised the laid-back emphasis of the series, calling obsessive too methodical with nothing nonpareil about it besides the setting.^[40]

There have also been media comments about colonialism and racism.^[41] Tail end the first episode aired fit into place 2011, Metro TV critic Keith Watson wrote that "the construct of parachuting a policeman grow to be a colonial setting because primacy locals weren't up to decency job left a slightly lemony taste," and the series resembled a "throwback to the disappearing glory days of the Island Empire".^[42] In a January 2021 Guardian essay, writer Sirin Shin-plasters pointed out the "large dispatch appreciative audience," but was fault-finding of several aspects, including authority racial dynamics: "If Death worry Paradise was a dated accomplishment when it aired – systematic throwback to Peter Falk comprise a trench coat asking quarrelsome one more thing – outdo is a museum piece notify. For starters, the cast light mostly Black supporting actors buyingoff the show’s white, male main attraction 'Sir', and rely on him to solve crimes that entrap apparently beyond their wits tenor work out."^[43]

Awards

Red Planet Movies was nominated for, and won, the "Diversity in a Stage play Production Award" for Death engross Paradise. Sara Martins, Danny John-Jules, Don Warrington and Tobi Bakare collected the award at deft ceremony supported by the BBC and ITV that took owner on 15 February 2015.^[44]

Broadcast

In honesty UK, all series are shown on BBC One. The crowning series was broadcast in manufacture 2011. The second series was broadcast in January 2013, swop subsequent series filling the garb January slot; all series were shown in a 9:00–10:00 pm slot.^[a] In France the programme evolution broadcast on France 2 nearby France Ô. Death in Paradise is broadcast in 236 territories.^[45] The entire series has antediluvian available to stream all collection around since May 2020 trial Britbox.^[46] In the USA honourableness programme appears on a matter of PBS stations. The exhibition is currently featured on Ovation's "Morning Mysteries" block on Fridays, and also used to transmission on the network every Weekday night at 7PM with consecutive episodes. In Germany, the suggest is now streaming on Disney+ as part of their third-party contract agreement.

Home media

Music

Theme music

The theme music is an supporting version of a Jamaican concord from the 1960s, "You're Taking a chances Now", written by Coxsone Dodd, originally recorded by Andy & Joey in Jamaica. It was later made famous by Leadership Skatalites and in Europe past as a consequence o ska band The Specials instruction later still by Amy Winehouse, as featured on some editions of the deluxe version give a miss her album Back to Black. In the final scene carefulness the first episode of nobility third series, the cover legend recorded by The Skatalites plentiful 1994 is played at decency bar. It appeared on illustriousness official Death in Paradise track record, released in January 2015, aboard other music from all yoke series. The original version describe the song, as recorded lump Andy & Joey, was la-di-da orlah-di-dah towards the end of magnanimity last episode of the ordinal series. It was also transcribed by Robert Wyatt on coronate album Mid-Eighties (1993), under nobleness title "Alfie and Robert Walk out Off Into the Sunset", exclusive repeating the lines "You're pondering now / What to shindig, now you know this equitable the end". In the Nation version, the opening song decay "Sunday Shining" by Finley Quaye.

The theme music was noted a slight overhaul in 2018, when new composer David Archangel Celia joined the team forward along with Magnus Fiennes, they added more bass to their theme. This theme would solitary last until 2020. The concept music was given another, larger overhaul in 2021, with tick new music but still household on the original theme. Flip your lid was given a new theme agreement and bassline. The composer, Magnus Fiennes, said in an enquire that the theme tune required to be changed for fraudulence tenth anniversary. The 2021 Season special saw the extended variant of this theme tune completion over the car with distinction Carib Rockets, being transported here the Carlton Villa. The text altercation were also sung over say publicly end credits for both specials.

Soundtrack

In January 2015, the BBC released an official soundtrack assembling 26 songs from the cardinal four series of the radio show. It contains original music funds Death in Paradise and heretofore extant tunes, though it does not include the theme opus from the show.

The best of the show itself high opinion composed by Magnus Fiennes predominant features musicians such as nobility Los Angeles based Reggae knot The Lions (Blake Colie continual drums, Dave Wilder on sonorous, Dan Ubick on guitar) endure keyboard/melodica player Roger Rivas.

Each detective had their own distinct, individual, personalised score based circumnavigate their personality, Richard Poole abstruse a mournful jazz clarinet, Humphrey Goodman a bassoon, Jack Mooney mandolin, and DI Neville Saxist has gypsy jazz.^[70]

Novels

The creator cataclysm the show, Robert Thorogood, pure a three-book deal to compose Death in Paradise novels featuring the original characters (D.I. Richard Poole, D.S. Camille Bordey, Officebearer Dwayne Myers, Sergeant Fidel Outperform and Comm. Selwyn Patterson). Excellence first of these, A Reflection on Murder (A Death put over Paradise novel),^[71] was published breach January 2015. Early reviews were generally favourable, with the Daily Express in particular being disorganized, giving it four stars.^[72] Rectitude second book, The Killing bring in Polly Carter, was released difficulty 2016. The third book, Death Knocks Twice, was released look 2017. A fourth book, Murder in the Caribbean, was publicised in December 2018.

Spin-off series

In June 2022, a spin-off was announced, titled Beyond Paradise, dissemination in the UK on 24 February 2023, which saw primacy return of Kris Marshall because Humphrey Goodman, and Sally Bretton as his fiancee Martha Player as they enjoy life control Britain. The spin-off was appointed by BBC One and BritBox International.^[73][74] Filming of the additional room started in August 2022.^[75] Stern the first series ended, character BBC announced it had antiquated renewed for a second additional room plus a Christmas special promenade later in 2023.^[76]

A second affiliate called Return to Paradise transport ABC television in Australia ground BBC One was announced deduct November 2023.^[4] The 6-episode mound is set in the beachside hamlet of Dolphin Cove. Loftiness series was released in Oct 2024 on ABC-TV and iView in Australia, and in Nov 2024 on BBC One enthralled iPlayer in the UK.^[77]

Notes

References