Resolving the series 10 cliffhanger, the feature-length episode will come to BBC during the festive season. 

The BBC have released a first look at their coming Death In Paradise Christmas special with smiles all around (and no clues whatsoever).

Despite ten successful series so far, this is (surprisingly) the show’s first festive outing; murder on Saint Marie has been a fixture of BBC One’s post-Christmas winter season since its second series on 2013.

The upcoming special promises the return of Danny John-Jules as officer Dwayne Myers; the charismatic officer was last seen in series 7 (2018).

We first reported on filming in July, when the following write up was released…

Following the series ten cliff-hanger that left everybody swinging in suspense, Florence is jetting off for Christmas, leaving the team a member down. So, the Commissioner decides to enlist the help of retired officer, Dwayne Myers (Danny John-Jules). Alongside Marlon, Dwayne employs his unique style of policing to help investigate the case. Left to their own devices, the pair struggle on the best plan of action for apprehending a suspect. As rain falls, tensions rise – but as Christmas Day approaches, will they realise they’re more like one another than they originally thought?

Now, there’s a new synopsis for the special:

It’s Christmas time on Saint Marie and Neville is preparing to head to Manchester to spend the holiday with his family. But his plans are abruptly changed when a billionaire shipping magnate dies in mysterious circumstances.

Things only get stranger when a minicab driver in London receives a Christmas card with an ominous message inside that turns the entire case on its head. For Neville and the team, will this be a case they can crack together?

Guest Cast

As well as Danny John-Jules, the regular cast of Ralf Little, Joséphine Jobert, Tahj Miles, Don Warrington and Elizabeth Bourgine will return.

Naturally, there are a few famous faces too; the guest star roster includes Mathew Baynton (Ghosts), Juliet Stevenson (Riviera), Stanley Townsend (Informer), Jocelyn Jee Esien (The Sarah Jane Adventures), Anthony Calf (Poldark), Tessa Bonham Jones (The Trial Of Christine Keeler), Elizabeth Tan (Emily in Paris) and Tariq Jordan (Law and Order: UK)

The Death in Paradise christmas special is written by James Hall, produced by Candida Julian-Jones and directed by Ben Kellett. It’s a Red Planet Pictures production for BBC One made with the support of the region of Guadeloupe. Tim Key executive produces for Red Planet Pictures and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC.

Series 11

If you want to catch up on any of the previous ten series, from Ben Miller through to Ralf Little, the whole back catalogue is currently on iPlayer…

…and series 11 will land on BBC One in January 2022. And yes, there’s a twelfth run in the works too!