There’s more twists and turns in Paradise

It may not get as many awards or as much press coverage as other more critically acclaimed dramas, but Death in Paradise has quietly become one of the BBC’s most enduring hits. So, the programme-makers were keen to make the 10th series something special.

The show’s creator, Robert Thorogood, says: “We’ve really pulled out the stops for our tenth anniversary year, to deliver what I think is a fantastic two-parter. For fans of the show, episodes five and six are going to be an important and revelatory experience.”

In fact, they are so important that the BBC doesn’t think fans should have to wait a whole week to see the conclusion of the story, which is why we’re getting a bonus Friday night-episode.

It all began with episode five on Thursday, and the death of renowned concert pianist Pasha Verdinikov. The case has since taken another twist and it might need some familiar faces to get to the bottom of it.

One-time Saint Marie Sergeant, Camille Bordey (Sara Martins) returns to the island following an attack on her mother Catherine (Élizabeth Bourgine).

Commissioner Patterson (Don Warrington) also feels a personal connection to the case as a 20-year-old investigation returns to haunt him. Meanwhile, the presence of one of the ghosts of Death in Paradise’s past, DI Richard Poole (original star Ben Miller) is felt on the island…

But while the episode may be stirring up memories of the show’s beginnings, the more recent recruits still have a part to play, including Ralf Little, who is now at the heart of the detective drama as DI Neville Parker. He’s glad Death in Paradise has found a way to mark its milestone series on screen, as Covid-19 put paid to any off-camera celebrations.

Ralf says: “The pandemic means that any social aspect has to be handled carefully. We would have loved to have had a big party to say we finished the first block but instead everyone says congratulations and then goodnight because we can’t go anywhere or do anything! It’s been pretty tame and quiet socially, but everyone still feels incredibly lucky to be out here, so no complaints from me.”

And it seems he wouldn’t bet against Death in Paradise running for another 10 series, as he believes the makers have found the formula for a hit drama.

He says: “You don’t get a successful show for ten years without knowing what works. Plenty of beautiful scenery from the Caribbean, plenty of mystery and intrigue and clever puzzles…

“[The makers] understand the interplay with characters, they cast the show really well and they’ve got a really good sense of what people want to watch and how the characters develop.”

And he’s certainly grateful to be a part of it. “It’s been pretty special throughout. I shot a scene last year in a helicopter, I’ve been on a boat (who gets to go ‘this is my job’ and be taken out on a boat in the Caribbean?), it’s special.”

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