The eight-part drama series will star Lester alongside French film star Sara Martins (Tell No One) and will be shot in Guadeloupe this spring.

Ben Miller says: “Death In Paradise is my dream job: a fascinating character, great scripts, superb cast and shooting in the Caribbean with French catering.”

Written by Robert Thorogood, Death In Paradise is “a fish out of water story about a quintessential English cop posted to the Caribbean island of Sainte Marie”.

The official synopsis reads: “To anyone else it would be paradise, but for Detective Inspector Richard Poole (Miller) it’s hell! Totally unsuited to the Caribbean way of life, Richard hates the sun, sea and sand and isn’t used to their style of policing. But he is a brilliant detective whose first case on the island is investigating the murder of a British cop. Working with the exotic local Camille (Martins), each week Richard goes about solving an intricate and intriguing murder.”

The series will be produced by Red Planet Pictures and Atlantique Productions, in association with BBC Worldwide and Kudos Film & Television.

Klaus Zimmermann, CEO at Atlantique Productions, comments: “With Death In Paradise we are realising the potential for cross border collaboration in drama between the UK and France, and the casting of Sara Martins and Ben Miller in the lead roles exemplifies this beautifully.”

Polly Hill, the BBC Executive Producer and Head of Drama, England Indies, adds: “Ben Miller is absolutely perfect for Richard, and we are thrilled to be introducing Sara Martins to a BBC One audience – together they promise to be an exciting and fiery pairing, and a real treat in the schedule.”