As the BBC releases cast interviews for Death in Paradise series 15, we learn Catherine Garton has joined the team in St Marie

We can expect series 15 of Death in Paradise to start next week (9 pm, Friday 30th to be precise). With arrival imminent, the BBC has released its familiar set of interviews with the cast. The recent Christmas Special led some fans to wonder if Ginny Holder’s character Darlene might be leaving — she was only seen briefly on a video call. The suspicions are now validated — the new interviews include new team member Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton) and no sign of Darlene.

What does Catherine Garton have to say about her character

In the context of the team (above), she’s a sergeant, so senior to Office Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah). Don Gilet and Shantol Jackson are also back, as is Don Warrington and Elizabeth Bourgine. While we know DI Mervyn Wilsons (Gilet) brother is part of the story of this series, no cast information has been made clear.

In describing her character, Garton says:

Tenacious. She’s really fun to play. She’s sassy, but she’s like your big sister who will tell you what’s what, but you can also come to her if you need to. You can have a laugh with her. She’s very passionate about things, about her work and about the people that she grows to love, especially in the team. She’s also very determined, almost too determined sometimes…

This is echoed and expanded in Don Gilet’s comments:

There’s definitely something of a rebel in Mattie. We haven’t had that rebellious element, really. She’s a bit younger, probably a similar age, give or take, to Officer Seb Rose, but she’s seen a lot more. She’s a sergeant and she’s more experienced and is always on the front foot, whereas Seb is going through his rookie stripes. It’s great seeing how the two of them connect – there’s a nurturing side as well as a rebellious side. She’s a great addition to the team.

What about the series itself

The interviews include notes on series 15:

As DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) continues to adjust to life in Saint Marie, he and the police team must face a myriad of baffling cases. Whilst attempting to connect with his recently discovered half-brother Solomon (Daniel Ward), Mervin’s newfound familial happiness soon turns to frustration as he discovers the pair are not quite as similar as he hoped they might be.

Returning Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) confronts the impact of his recent period of absence, and after some tough love from old friend Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine), he’s determined to win back the trust of the island. Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) help new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton) settle into the fold, which might be easier said than done as shadows from her past begin to reveal themselves.

We look forward to the 30th, and will bring a trailer when it’s made available.