The hit BBC series is back for another festive installment
Death in Paradise is returning for another Christmas special, before we welcome a new series in 2026. The BBC show first aired back in 2011, with Ben Miller starring as the first detective.
Don Gilet joined Death in Paradise as the new lead detective, DI Mervin Wilson, debuting in the 2024 Christmas Special, and then starring in the full Series 14 in early 2025, taking over from Ralf Little.
BBC have confirmed what viewers can expect from the Christmas special, including a new guest cast that will there for the one-off episode this year.
The official synopsis reads: “The office Christmas party of a lifetime takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up to find a stranger dead in the pool of their Caribbean villa. DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they’re left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the murder took place… thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon!
“The suspects all claim to have never met the victim. But can they be trusted? As the team are led deeper into a web of secrets and criminality, it becomes clear that they’ll need all the help they can get to solve this baffling case. Perhaps an old colleague spending Christmas in the UK can be tempted to lend a hand…
“Stuck in Saint Marie, the team calls on the help of a familiar face to crack the case. Meanwhile, Mervin’s anxiously waiting to hear back from his newly discovered brother, which prevents him from embracing Saint Marie’s Christmas celebrations. Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?”
When time, when is it on and how to watch?
Death in Paradise will air on December 28 at 8:30pm on BBC One and will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
In terms of what to expect this Christmas, Don Gilet teased: “There’s plenty of humour, but even more heart. It pushes and pulls emotionally and comedically in equal measure.
“Mervin faces far more antagonism, and things are a lot more challenging for him, especially now he knows there’s a half-brother out there to find. However, you can still get cosy, sip your Baileys and enjoy another great Death in Paradise Christmas special!”
Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) left his at the end of Death in Paradise Series 14, choosing to leave Saint Marie to visit his daughter .
Élizabeth Bourgine opened up about Selwyn leaving last year, and from the perspective of Catherine she shared: “Initially, she was upset – and angry! They both did their best all throughout the last series, but she was angry because it was too easy for him to abandon things after all of that.
“Ultimately, she’s disappointed, but he’s her best friend and whether he’s on Saint Marie or not, she will always support him.”
Here is the full Christmas special cast list:
- Don Gilet’s DI Mervin Wilson
- Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas
- Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis
- Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose
- Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey
There will also be a new star-studded guest cast list this Christmas:
- Josie Lawrence
- Kate Ashfield
- Pearl Mackie
- James Baxter
- Billy Harris
- Oriana Charles
- Alix Serman
