It doesn’t happen often when an older TV drama refreshes its lead cast repeatedly and continues to be a viewer magnet. But that is precisely what Death in Paradise has been accomplishing since 2011, combining British humour, tropical views, and periodically freshened-up detectives and blending them into a formula that is continually staying new. The show not only endured such casting turns it also endured because of them.
Filmed on the fictional island of Saint Marie, but in fact Guadeloupe, the show’s attraction is its combination of eccentric detectives, eccentric islanders, and passing fish-out-of-water moments. Every actor who has entered the sun-kissed world has made a decision that leaves a trace, adding to the show’s personality in minute but permanent ways.
From sleuths with allergies to commissioners who refuse to give up, these are the actors whose on-screen roles and off-screen existences beyond the cameras have us gripped year in and year out.
1. Ralph Little: The Relucting Island Detective
Recruited for series nine, Ralph Little’s DI Neville Parker introduced a different type of vulnerability to the role. His character’s laundry list of allergies and dislike of Caribbean sun made him an instant sympathetic character and regularly laugh-out-loud funny and his hyper-logical approach kept him one step ahead of the villains.
Off-screen, Little is a regular presence on British sitcom TV, having played in shows like The Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. He’s also a sporty chap and football pundit outside of work, and posts memories of filming and overseas travel on Instagram @ralphylittl, giving us the inside story behind the palm trees.
2. Kris Marshall: The Lovable Oddball
Kris Marshall’s DI Humphrey Goodman, in series three, was an early tip to win with his dotty suaveness and radical styling. Marshall revealed Humphrey is “skimmed from love of all the detectives I grew up with,” namechecking Columbo to Miss Marple as among his reference points. He likes to leave himself wondering if the bumbling is genuine or tactical.
Outside of Saint Marie, Marshall has headlined the spin-off series Beyond Paradise, testifying to the character’s long-term popularity. His humanity, humour, and unpredictability remain a hit with viewers who prefer a detective as human as he is intelligent.
3. Sara Martins: The Spark of the Early Seasons
As Detective Camille Bordey, Sara Martins added the touch of class, grit, and a bit of romance to the initial seasons of the show. Together with original DI Richard Poole, she created the winning formula for the show of canny crime-solving and quick-witted repartee.
French-born Portuguese actress who started afresh in France, Martins’ charm overflowed on screen. Instagram @saraloumartins is filled with travel and work-in-progress pictures, which reflect the same charm that made Camille so endearing.
4. Ben Miller: The By-the-Book Original
Ben Miller’s DI Richard Poole set the tone for Death in Paradise with his suit-and-tie and embarrassment at the island’s relaxed way of life. His off-screen death at the end of series three came as a shock to fans, and although Miller has stated he doesn’t believe he can come back, he did make a spectral appearance in the 10th anniversary special with Sara Martins.
Since he left, Miller reappeared in Professor T and other series, but to all of us, he will always be the man in the suit sweating in Caribbean sunshine.
5. Gary Carr: The Heart of the Team
Gary Carr’s Officer Fidel Best was a reliable figure, characterised by justice, loyalty, and kindness. His common sense stood in contrast to the peculiar antics of the lead detectives, and he was a popular character among viewers in the early seasons of the show.
Carr’s versatility is observed in a variety of performances from Downton Abbey to HBO’s The Deuce. An award-winning actor and singer, he chronicles his life as an artist on Instagram @garycarrofficial where acting and singing have a tendency to meet.
6. Joséphine Jobert: The Fearless Sergeant
Joséphine Jobert’s Florence Cassell was a mix of steel and humanity, guiding cases and colleagues through the tough times. Eight years on, she vowed it was “time to move on,” departing Saint Marie alongside Neville Parker at the conclusion of series 13.
Meanwhile, starring in new French drama Saint-Pierre, Jobert divides her time between work on camera and a love for homelife and house design in Dordogne. A view of her travel, fashion, and backstage life can be seen at Instagram @josephinejobert_official.
7. Élisabeth Bourgine: The Island’s Beating Heart
As bar owner Catherine Bordey and Mayor of Saint Marie, Élisabeth Bourgine best represent the islanders’ warmth and determination. She joined the show at episode two, thus making her one of the show’s longest-running cast members.
A busy French cinema actress whose movies include A Heart in Winter, Bourgine’s real life is interjected with travel, charity work, and cultural activities. Her Instagram feed @elisabeth_bourgine documents both her career as an actress and her penchant for life on an island.
8. Tobi Bakare: The Optimistic Learner
Tobi Bakare’s JP Hooper changed from a new police officer to a confident detective, reflecting the series’ theme: development as a person. A fan favourite in his own right, he had a sunny personality and a love for learning.
Apart from Death in Paradise, Bakare has played various roles outside London. A committed family man, he posts motivational messages and behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram @to_by_one.
9. Don Warrington: The Indomitable Commissioner
Don Warrington’s Commissioner Selwyn Patterson has also been a frequent fixture since the start, with gravitas balanced by dry humour. Born in Trinidad but brought up in Newcastle, Warrington’s own career has fluctuated from Rising Damp to Doctor Who.
Backstage, Selwyn at home is hosting a charity lunch or clearing the way backstage for his employees in secret. His consistency throughout the years provides the audience with continuity in the middle of all the change within the show.
Over a decade, Death in Paradise has shown that renewal can be a strength with each new cast member introducing something new to the equation. From the ever-present Commissioner to the newest DI, these actors have woven an intimate tapestry of characters that make the show alive. For the viewer, the pleasure isn’t necessarily in the solving of the mystery but in seeing these personalities clash, evolve, and put their stamp on Saint Marie.
