The first details have been released for the new season of Death In Paradise.

The crime drama’s sixth season began filming on the French island of Guadeloupe in August and will open with a two-hour special featuring scenes set and filmed in the UK for the first time.

My Family star Kris Marshall is back as DI Humphrey Goodman in eight new 60-minute episodes, alongside returning regulars Danny John-Jules, Don Warrington, Josephine Jobert and Tobi Bakare.

Buy the complete Season 1-5 boxset on Amazon.

Season 6 will begin on BBC One in early January.

The official synopsis for the first episode reads: “DI Humphrey Goodman and the team are left stumped … when Volcanologist Stephen Langham is found dead half way up a live volcano after failing to return from a night shift.

“With all evidence and the pathologist report pointing towards a heart attack, death by natural causes is suspected by all. However, Humphrey is convinced that one of the observatory team had a part to play in his untimely demise. With the security swipe card system providing each of the three other scientists with an alibi for the time of the murder, how could any of them have committed the crime?

“Unable to find any physical evidence of murder, the team have a tough task ahead of them. Puzzled by some seemingly missing equipment at the scene of the crime and the timely presence of Saint Marie’s Mayor, Humphrey soon discovers that Stephen and his colleagues, including his brother, didn’t always see eye to eye. With everyone hiding secrets, will the team be able to find out who killed Stephen and why?

“Meanwhile Humphrey is excited by Martha’s return to the island for a summer holiday. Is romance finally blooming for Humphrey? Elsewhere, JP is settling into married life while Dwayne risks angering the Commissioner when he lets his guard down with a local journalist.”

Not Going Out star Sally Bretton, who returns as love interest Martha Lloyd, will become a new series regular following her guest appearance in Season 5’s finale.

Bretton commented earlier this year: “I am delighted that I have been given the chance to reprise my role as Martha, and join the incredible Death In Paradise cast and crew again. My character is a joy to play and I can’t wait for the viewers to see how her story unfolds.”

Guest stars in the new season will include Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted), Douglas Hodge (The Night Manager), Natasha Little (Thirteen), Adrian Rawlins (Dickensian), Monica Dolan (W1A), Ramon Tikaram (Happy Valley), Emily Taaffee (War And Peace), Gary Beadle (EastEnders), Fiona Allen (Waterloo Road), Kerry Fox (Glue), Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Thirteen) and Mark Powley (Birds Of A Feather).

Death in Paradise launched in October 2011 and Season 5 concluded in February, averaging 8.1 million viewers each week and with a 29% audience share.

Are you looking forward to Season 6? Let us know below…