Christmas 2024 on St. Marie brings a new lead detective to the Death in Paradise team.
With a mid-week Christmas this year, the opportunities for festive specials are plentiful. One of the first out of the gates is Death in Paradise, with lands at 8.30pm on Sunday 22nd December.
The show is using its 90-minute Christmas outing to showcase the arrival of the show’s new DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, ahead of it’s 14th series.
However, the actor suggests that his character won’t see the appeal of St. Marie to begin with:
“The perfect Christmas present for Mervin is a decent working air conditioner unit and a Wi-Fi router. Then he can watch his football in a cool environment. He’d say, “give me that and I’ll be fine”. He would want something that is practical and connects him to the outside world.”
And Gilet has spoken about filming in Guadeloupe:
“It’s intense because you’ve got that heat from the start to the end of the day. It does get to a point where you are used to it, but it takes that extra layer of concentration. You can’t turn the temperature down, but it’s a beautiful backdrop to shoot against. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself and go look at where you are and what you’re doing. It’s a beautiful place. I haven’t had much of a chance to venture out to see just how beautiful it is yet. Once you get used to the temperature, it’s a great job!”
Here’s what we know about the Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2024:
When holiday maker Stuart Fullwell (Marcus Brigstocke), fresh from performing karaoke dressed as Santa, is found shot dead on the beach by a young boy Ollie – son of Jamie (Jim Howick) – the Saint Marie police team kick into action. But with no Detective Inspector in place of the recently departed Neville Parker, are they capable of tackling such a big case?
With the pressure mounting, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) is relieved to receive some encouraging news as he learns a British detective is holidaying on the island. Following a somewhat disappointing solo trip, DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) is aboard a flight back home to London ready to take off, though is informed by his boss that he’s to be seconded to Honoré, whether he likes it or not…
Also in the guest cast are Angela Griffin (Waterloo Road), Steven Hartley (Happy Valley), Elizabeth Carling (Hotel Portofino), Michael Salami (Supacell) and Dex Lee (Doctors).
Plus, the regulars cast are all in attendance. Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas, Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis, Danny John-Jules as Officer Dwayne Myers and Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey, will be joined by Ram John Holder who reprises his role as Dwayne’s father Nelson.
You can watch the Death in Paradise Christmas Special on iPlayer and BBC One from 8.30pm on Sunday 22nd December.
The show’s entire back catalogue, plus sister shows Beyond Paradise and Return to Paradise are available on the iPlayer too.