There’s one real reason Death in Paradise’s new character is on the show
And it's not solving crimes.
And it’s not solving crimes.
The Saint Marie police department continues to expand in this latest episode of Death in Paradise, which sees Shaquille Ali-Yebuah’s officer Sebastian (Seb) Rose make his debut.
The overly keen, excitable cop replaces the more down-to-earth, responsible Benjamin Brice (Anthony J Abraham) who was killed off last week before he even got the chance to give his freshly-starched uniform a whirl.
Despite hooking viewers in with an emotive intro that instantly made officer Brice a loveable and memorable, if short-lived, character, Seb is a much better fit for the force.
A new DI in Death in Paradise is nothing without his team and the creative minds behind the franchise knew what they were doing when they added Seb to Mervin’s crew.
Don Gilet’s grumpy, agitated DI Mervin Wilson is nothing like sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) or officer Darlene Curtis (Ginny Holder). His singular focus takes on an irritable edge due to his unwillingness to embrace life on Saint Marie.
Both Darlene and Naomi find his manner curt, dismissive and rude. While Mervin’s negativity grates on them, creating some humour through tension, both are reserved in the face of his rudeness, direct and honest but still amenable in their approach and so there isn’t much to challenge Mervin.
Seb however is an instant challenge just by nature of being the direct opposite to Mervin, which is obvious from their first interaction.
Picture Mervin, in his immaculately ironed, linen shirts greeting his new recruit, all swallowed up by the pineapple costume he was wearing while promoting a smoothie bar on the street. Well, if you’ve watched the episode you needn’t picture a thing, you will have seen it for yourself.
“Commissioner, are you sure this is a good idea?” is Mervin’s response to Selwyn’s (Don Warrington) pick, while shooting his boss a nervous, sceptical look for emphasis. But there was no discussion to be had. Just like that, from grooving guava and popping pineapple (smoothies, that is) straight to the force, Seb was a part of the team.
Something in the Commissioner’s face relayed how much he was enjoying this new turn of events and it’s no wonder. Seb is just the kind of challenge Mervin needs.
His vivacious personality and zest for life is the antithesis of Mervin’s short temper and impatient nature. This can easily develop into comedic moments which is already evident from their first episode together.
Seb’s boundless energy burst through after the denouement, in which Mervin unmasks the villain in the round. Genuinely impressed by what he’s seen, Seb tells “just inspector” Mervin: “That was like the greatest thing I’ve ever seen in my life, ever, respect man.”
Without missing a beat Mervin’s face is overcome with a deadpan glare as he leaves Seb hanging when he attempts to fist-bump him for a job well done. Ali-Yebuah’s physical comedy shines through in that moment. It’s the over exaggerated way that he bends at the waist, the swinging of his elbow as he expresses his admirability of Mervin. His earnest nature is reflected in this sweet gesture and it is complimented by Mervin’s affronted look. It is a small but inspired moment of comedy genius.
On a more substantial basis their differences also create the opportunity for tension which could later develop into character growth. Seb has the potential to stretch Mervin, to pull him out of his comfort zone whereas Mervin has the potential to shape Seb’s enthusiasm and direct it more effectively.
This is something that would have been lost if Brice had stayed on board.
The show needs the friction that Seb brings to round out the team with his sunshiny attitude and warmth serving as an annoyance to Mervin and Ali-Yebuah is perfectly suited to execute that.
Death in Paradise and its spin-off, Beyond Paradise, both air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer. The One Show airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
