Death in Paradise’s Shantol Jackson’s life off-screen from royal link to unexpected career

Shantol Jackson, known for playing Naomi Thomas in Death in Paradise, has captivated fans since her debut on the show three years ago.

Rising swiftly from working under DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) to Detective Sergeant, Shantol’s ascent was swift following her arrival on Saint Marie at the start of series 11, taking over from fan-favourite JP Hooper (Tobi Bakare).

Since then, she’s become integral to the team, especially as they welcomed new DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet). Her journey could have been starkly different; initially, she auditioned for the role of Ruby Patterson (Shyko Amos). After facing disappointment, luck turned when producers approached her two years later with the perfect part – Naomi.

Shantol expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm about the character in a chat with The Mirror, saying: “They called to say they had the right role for me. They saw something in me and I was so grateful. I absolutely love playing Naomi.

“The murders are all crazy! Each time, I think how are you going to make this work? One of my favourites was when the Commissioner got shot as it was more than just solving the crime. It was emotional.”

Away from the limelight, we delve into the life of the 32-year-old actress life beyond the set.

Difficulties in love

Death in Paradise’s Shantol Jackson’s life off-screen from royal link to unexpected career(Image: BBC)

Despite Shantol Jackson’s decision to keep her personal life under wraps, it appears her demanding filming schedule has posed challenges in her romantic life, reports the Express.

Shantol Jackson, known for her role as Naomi Thomas on BBC, shared with Hello how her acting career impacts her personal life, commenting: “It is a long time to be away, and that makes having a partner quite difficult, I’m hoping to work on that this year. We have biological clocks, so we need to get the ball rolling when it comes to that.”

She elaborated on the importance of finding a supportive partner adding: “It has to be somebody who can hop over now and then, who understands that this is my life and can handle something that is a bit difficult.”

Unexpected career

In a career twist, Shantol revealed to Pride Magazine that before becoming an actress, she had aspirations to be a veterinarian – a dream she abandoned after an unappetising test from her father involving a dead frog.

Recalling the scene, she said: “My dad got a dead frog and he told me to dissect it. I looked at the frog and then I looked at my dad and said, ‘Daddy I don’t think I’ll be able to be a veterinarian’.

Ultimately, drama club at school sparked her acting ambitions, although she balanced her passion with practicality by attending nursing school in conjunction with night-time theatre classes.

Her persistence paid off; once her father witnessed her talent on stage, he became a stalwart supporter. Now, Shantol looks back at her journey with pride, knowing she’s followed a path that suits her true calling.

Royal meeting

The BBC star once met royalty at a red-carpet event in Kingston(Image: BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Denis Guyenon)

Shantol, acclaimed for her roles alongside the likes of Ralf Little and Don Warrington, not to mention her part in Idris Elba’s movie Yardie, had an unexpected brush with royalty amidst the star-studded times of her career.

While in her hometown Kingston, she went to the premiere of the Bob Marley biopic One Love. On her strut down the red carpet, she had a run-in with none other than the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Overwhelmed by the unexpected Royal close-up, she gushed to Hello!: “Meghan and Harry just casually walked past me. I’m sure only the government officials knew they were coming.

“They were very sweet and very excited. I was dumbstruck because I wasn’t expecting it. I’m like: ‘This never happens.’ They enjoyed being there and it didn’t feel as though you couldn’t access them.

“Of course, there were bodyguards, but if people said hello, they said: ‘Oh, hi.’ It wasn’t like: ‘Oh, don’t speak to me.'”