# List of Death in Paradise characters

**Death in Paradise** is a British-French crime comedy-drama created by Robert Thorogood, set on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie and filmed in [Guadeloupe](https://www.edgepedia.org/guadeloupe), whose characters center on a rotating line-up of London-transferred Detective Inspectors and the local Honoré police team who solve one murder per episode.<sup>[1](https://listofdeaths.fandom.com/wiki/Death_in_Paradise)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/1437/death-in-paradise)</sup> The series has run on [BBC One](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-one) since 2011, and its character roster is defined by regular turnover of the lead detective alongside long-serving island regulars such as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson ([Don Warrington](https://www.edgepedia.org/don-warrington)) and Catherine Bordey (Élizabeth Bourgine).<sup>[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/1437/death-in-paradise)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/death-in-paradise-s3.pdf)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Setting | The fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie; the show is filmed in Guadeloupe<sup>[1](https://listofdeaths.fandom.com/wiki/Death_in_Paradise)</sup> |
| Lead detective pattern | A British DI sent to Saint Marie is periodically replaced; the role has been held by Richard Poole, Humphrey Goodman, Jack Mooney, Neville Parker, and Mervin Wilson<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup> |
| Poole's exit | DI Richard Poole (Ben Miller) is murdered in the opening episode of series 3, with Kris Marshall's DI Humphrey Goodman arriving to solve the case<sup>[3](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/death-in-paradise-s3.pdf)</sup> |
| Longest anchors | Commissioner Selwyn Patterson is the only character still present in season 14 who appeared in the 2011 first episode; Catherine Bordey joined in episode 2 of season 1<sup>[5](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/is-don-warrington-officially-leaving-death-in-paradise-as-the-commissioner)</sup> |
| First Black lead DI | Series 14 introduced DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet), the first Black lead detective in the show's history<sup>[6](https://castradar.uk/cast-of-death-in-paradise-2/)</sup> |
| Audience | Series 2 averaged almost eight million viewers per episode on consolidated figures<sup>[3](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/death-in-paradise-s3.pdf)</sup> |
| Future | The BBC recommissioned the show in April 2026 for a further two series and two Christmas specials<sup>[7](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/bbc-recommissions-death-in-paradise-for-another-two-series-as-cameras-roll-in-guadeloupe)</sup> |

## The Detective Inspectors

Every series has been built around a Detective Inspector sent from Britain to the Saint Marie police force, and each handover has marked a change in the show's tone.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup>

**DI Richard Poole** ([Ben Miller](https://www.edgepedia.org/ben-miller)) is the original lead, appearing from episode 1:1 to 3:1.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup> The series 3 press pack announced the character's tragic murder in that opening episode, a twist the cast guide describes as one of the most shocking cast changes in the show's history.<sup>[3](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/death-in-paradise-s3.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://manchesterindependent.co.uk/death-in-paradise-cast/)</sup>

**DI Humphrey Goodman** ([Kris Marshall](https://www.edgepedia.org/kris-marshall)) covers episodes 3:1 to 6:6.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup> Marshall remained until Series 6 in 2017, when his character left Saint Marie for London to pursue a relationship.<sup>[8](https://manchesterindependent.co.uk/death-in-paradise-cast/)</sup> The character later moved to the spin-off *Beyond Paradise*, in which Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton play DI Humphrey Goodman and Martha Lloyd.<sup>[9](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/print/pdf/node/18116)</sup>

**DI Jack Mooney** ([Ardal O'Hanlon](https://www.edgepedia.org/ardal-ohanlon)) runs from episode 6:5 to 9:4, overlapping with Humphrey's final episodes.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup>

**DI Neville Parker** ([Ralf Little](https://www.edgepedia.org/ralf-little)) led the team through the era that ended with his farewell episode closing series 13.<sup>[10](https://elpais.com/television/2024-08-24/crimen-en-el-paraiso-el-gran-exito-de-la-bbc-que-se-cocina-al-sol-del-caribe-solo-nos-proponemos-entretener.html)</sup>

**DI Mervin Wilson** ([Don Gilet](https://www.edgepedia.org/don-gilet)) is the current lead, introduced in series 14 as the first Black lead detective in the show's history.<sup>[6](https://castradar.uk/cast-of-death-in-paradise-2/)</sup> Series 15, launched on BBC One on Friday 30 January 2026, follows Mervin as he adjusts to life in Saint Marie and connects with his recently discovered half-brother Solomon.<sup>[11](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/the-bbc-announces-launch-date-and-guest-stars-for-brand-new-series-of-death-in-paradise)</sup>

## The Honoré police team

Around the detective, the show maintains a local team whose members have also come and gone.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup>

- **DS Camille Bordey** ([Sara Martins](https://www.edgepedia.org/sara-martins)), 1:1 to 4:4; at the end of episode 4:4, *Until Death Do You Part*, she leaves Saint Marie to become an undercover agent in Paris.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[12](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/Honor%C3%A9_Police_team_changes)</sup>
- **Officer Dwayne Myers** ([Danny John-Jules](https://www.edgepedia.org/danny-john-jules)), 1:1 to 7:8.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup>
- **Officer/Sergeant Fidel Best** (Gary Carr), 1:1 to 3:8.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/death-in-paradise-s3.pdf)</sup>
- **Officer/Sergeant JP Hooper** ([Tobi Bakare](https://www.edgepedia.org/tobi-bakare)).<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/1437/death-in-paradise)</sup>
- **Sergeant/Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell** (Joséphine Jobert), 4:1 to 8:6 and again 10:1 to 11:4.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup>
- **Detective Sergeant Madeleine Dumas**, **Officer Ruby Patterson**, **Officer Marlon Pryce**, and **Trainee Officer Darlene Curtis** (Ginny Holder) round out the listed past and present team.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup>
- The current series adds **DS Naomi Thomas** (Shantol Jackson), **Officer Sebastian Rose** (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah), and new recruit **Sergeant Mattie Fletcher** (Catherine Garton), who joins the police team in series 15.<sup>[7](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/bbc-recommissions-death-in-paradise-for-another-two-series-as-cameras-roll-in-guadeloupe)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[11](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/the-bbc-announces-launch-date-and-guest-stars-for-brand-new-series-of-death-in-paradise)</sup>

## Island regulars

**Commissioner Selwyn Patterson** (Don Warrington) has led Saint Marie police since the first episode, "Arriving in Paradise", in 2011; he is the only character still present in season 14 to have appeared in that 2011 opener.<sup>[5](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/is-don-warrington-officially-leaving-death-in-paradise-as-the-commissioner)</sup> Series 14 dismantled his position: in episode 5 it was revealed that the Commissioner's job was being phased out, and in episode 6 his "replacement", Sterling Fox (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge), arrived, with the storyline concluding across episodes seven and eight.<sup>[5](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/is-don-warrington-officially-leaving-death-in-paradise-as-the-commissioner)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[13](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/death-in-paradise/s15/cast-and-crew)</sup> The character returns for the recommissioned series, confronting the impact of his recent period of absence.<sup>[7](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/bbc-recommissions-death-in-paradise-for-another-two-series-as-cameras-roll-in-guadeloupe)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[11](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/the-bbc-announces-launch-date-and-guest-stars-for-brand-new-series-of-death-in-paradise)</sup>

**Catherine Bordey** (Élizabeth Bourgine) first appeared in the second episode of season 1 and remains a returning regular, acting in series 15 as an old friend who gives Selwyn tough love as he tries to win back the island's trust.<sup>[5](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/is-don-warrington-officially-leaving-death-in-paradise-as-the-commissioner)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[11](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/the-bbc-announces-launch-date-and-guest-stars-for-brand-new-series-of-death-in-paradise)</sup> Recurring characters in past series include Rosey Hooper, Martha Lloyd, Nelson Myers, Siobhan Mooney, Patrice Campbell, and Anna Masani.<sup>[4](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)</sup>

## Cast changes as a formula

Cast turnover is a structural feature of the program rather than an occasional event. The murder of Richard Poole in the series 3 opener set a precedent for major storyline twists in cast transitions, and the lead detective has since changed roughly every three series.<sup>[3](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/death-in-paradise-s3.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://manchesterindependent.co.uk/death-in-paradise-cast/)</sup> Each incoming DI has been written with a distinct temperament, from Poole's discomfort with island life to Mervin Wilson's brusque London manner, which drew a strongly negative viewer response in early series 14 discussion.<sup>[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/1437/death-in-paradise)</sup>

The formula has scaled into a franchise. The show's continued success drove the spin-offs *Beyond Paradise* and *Return to Paradise*, and in April 2026 the BBC recommissioned *Death in Paradise* for two further series and two Christmas specials, produced by Red Planet Pictures (a [Fremantle](https://www.edgepedia.org/fremantle) company) for BBC One and [BBC iPlayer](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-iplayer), with audiences in 230 territories worldwide.<sup>[7](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/bbc-recommissions-death-in-paradise-for-another-two-series-as-cameras-roll-in-guadeloupe)</sup>

## Guest characters

Each episode introduces its own suspects and victims, and notable guest casting has been a recurring draw. The series 3 press pack lists guest stars including [Michelle Ryan](https://www.edgepedia.org/michelle-ryan), Helen Baxendale, Peter Davison, Clarke Peters, and [Raza Jaffrey](https://www.edgepedia.org/raza-jaffrey).<sup>[3](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/death-in-paradise-s3.pdf)</sup> Series 15 guests include Siobhan Finneran, Hermione Norris, Steffan Rhodri, Ben Willbond, Sarah Hadland, Gary Wilmot, Tim McMullan, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Ace Bhatti, and Michelle Greenidge, among others.<sup>[11](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/the-bbc-announces-launch-date-and-guest-stars-for-brand-new-series-of-death-in-paradise)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[13](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/death-in-paradise/s15/cast-and-crew)</sup>

## References

1. [Death in Paradise, List of Deaths Wiki](https://listofdeaths.fandom.com/wiki/Death_in_Paradise)
2. [Death in Paradise, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/1437/death-in-paradise)
3. [Death In Paradise Series III press pack, BBC Media Centre](https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/death-in-paradise-s3.pdf)
4. [List of Characters, Death in Paradise Wiki (Fandom)](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Characters)
5. [Is Don Warrington officially leaving Death in Paradise as The Commissioner?, WhatToWatch](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/is-don-warrington-officially-leaving-death-in-paradise-as-the-commissioner)
6. [Cast of Death in Paradise – Complete Guide to All Seasons 2026, Castradar](https://castradar.uk/cast-of-death-in-paradise-2/)
7. [BBC recommissions Death in Paradise for another two series as cameras roll in Guadeloupe, Red Planet Pictures](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/bbc-recommissions-death-in-paradise-for-another-two-series-as-cameras-roll-in-guadeloupe)
8. [Death in Paradise Cast Guide: Full Characters & Actors, Manchester Independent](https://manchesterindependent.co.uk/death-in-paradise-cast/)
9. [ITV Press Centre brochure (Beyond Paradise recommission)](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/print/pdf/node/18116)
10. ['Crimen en el paraíso', el gran éxito de la BBC, El País](https://elpais.com/television/2024-08-24/crimen-en-el-paraiso-el-gran-exito-de-la-bbc-que-se-cocina-al-sol-del-caribe-solo-nos-proponemos-entretener.html)
11. [The BBC announces launch date and guest stars for brand-new series of Death in Paradise, Red Planet Pictures](https://redplanetpictures.co.uk/news/the-bbc-announces-launch-date-and-guest-stars-for-brand-new-series-of-death-in-paradise)
12. [Honoré Police team changes, Death in Paradise Wiki (Fandom)](https://deathinparadise.fandom.com/wiki/Honor%C3%A9_Police_team_changes)
13. [Death in Paradise: Season 15 Cast and Crew, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/death-in-paradise/s15/cast-and-crew)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Fictional worlds and series reference apparatus › Episode lists, seasons, and broadcast lifecycle › Cast, crew, and character lists for series*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license