BBC unveils major Death in Paradise shake-up in Beyond Paradise announcement

Death in Paradise will introduce newcomers in the Christmas special (Image: BBC)

The BBC has revealed that a number of new faces will be introduced in the upcoming series of Death in Paradise and its spin-off, Beyond Paradise. The original murder mystery drama was introduced in 2011, where Ben Miller starred as DI Richard Poole, who led a team of detectives on the Caribbean island of Saint Marie. Its Devon-based series Beyond Paradise first aired in 2023, with Kris Marshall (played by Humphrey Goodman) investigating crimes in the sleepy town. For the last two years, both shows have aired annual Christmas specials, which fans can expect to see next month.

However, ahead of its return, the BBC has confirmed a star-studded line-up of newcomers will join the beloved cast for the special later this year. The likes of Outside Edge star Josie Lawrence, Shaun of the Dead actress Kate Ashfield and Doctor Who alum Pearl Mackie will head to Saint Marie, alongside James Baxter, Billy Harris, Oriana Charles and Alix Serman. The guest cohorts will join regulars Don Gilet, Shantol Jackson, Ginny Holder, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, and Élizabeth Bourgine for a mysterious Caribbean Christmas special.

Beyond Paradise’s Christmas special will air next month (Image: BBC)

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!

“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?”

Elsewhere in Shipton Abbott, Beyond Paradise’s Christmas special will welcome One Day star Jonny Weldon, Tess Lasso’s James Lance and Alien: Earth star Adrian Edmondson.

James Baxter and Pearl Mackie in a Death in Paradise Christmas scene (Image: BBC)

They will join the cast, including Humphrey, Zahra Ahmadi, Dylan Llewellyn, Barbara Flynn, Felicity Montagu, Jamie Bamber and Melina Sinadinou.

The synopsis for this special reads: “When Esther discovers a man on the steps of the Shipton Abbott police station with no memory, holding a photo of Humphrey, the team gets to work to uncover who the mysterious man is while balancing a flurry of festive cases.

“But with an influx of unexpected visitors, a slew of holiday crimes to crack, and a heartwarming reunion on the line, can the team juggle it all and still be ready for a life-changing reveal?

“At the same time, with the help of Anne, Zoe and a special guest, Martha races to pull off her secret plan while Kelby tries to help a mystery man trapped inside his snowman costume.

“But with an influx of unexpected visitors, a slew of holiday crimes to crack, and a heartwarming reunion on the line, can the team juggle it all and still be ready for a life-changing reveal?”