Death in Paradise exit ‘sealed’ as female detective favourite to ‘replace’ Don Gilet
Death in Paradise fans are discussing who could eventually become the first female detective on the BBC series
Don Gilet plays Mervin Wilson in Death in Paradise(Image: BBC)
Death in Paradise enthusiasts are speculating about a significant shift for the BBC series, with many convinced the next detective could be female.
Don Gilet currently leads the show as Detective Mervin Wilson, having taken over from Ralf Little, who portrayed Detective Neville Parker, the programme’s longest-serving sleuth.
Whilst Don has indicated no intention of departing the series imminently, fans have been discussing potential successors, noting that all five DIs to date – Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, Ralf Little and now Don – have been male.
On Reddit, sharing their predictions and theories, one viewer asked, “Will the next DI be female?” They continued, “All of the DIs so far have been male, with a wide range of quirks, but we’re bound to get a female one eventually. Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke (from Return to Paradise) seems the obvious choice, as she’s so entertainingly weird.
“Remembering that both Will Teague (Series 2 episode 6) and André Morgan (Series 4 episode 1) reappeared under false identities as DIs, will they choose someone else who’s appeared before?”, reports the Express.
The show’s current detective Mervin Wilson(Image: BBC)
Viewers appeared to concur that Return to Paradise’s Mackenzie Clarke would be an excellent selection, with one responding, “Mac is a great example of showing how a female DI works. I’d be happy to see a female DI and a male DS.”
Another supporter anticipated the comeback of a familiar face, “High time Camille returned to the island, to do so as DI would just be class.”
A third viewer suggested: “It very well could be. Mackenzie Clarke is a good example, it shows that a female lead that’s just as much of a goofball as the other DIs can work and work well. I don’t know if bringing her to Saint Marie is the right move, she fits the aesthetic and vibe of her own show more.”
Fans think Nicola Walker would be a good fit for Death in Paradise(Image: BBC)
Another fan proposed: “I wouldn’t mind seeing Olivia Colman as the lead. She’s a big name, but she still does smaller BBC shows from time to time. Ooh! Or Ruth Jones! She recently starred in Run Away on Netflix as a private investigator.”
Someone else put forward Nicola Walker, who played a detective in Unforgotten and Annika: “Nicola Walker would be great, especially as it doesn’t look like there will be any more Annika, and after that Scottish weather she could do with a warm.”
Anna Samson plays the show’s first lead detective in Return to Paradise(Image: BBC)
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
One enthusiast responded: “Imagine a crossover where it was Annika, that would be amazing! The daughter is brilliant too, her and Morgan would be great,”.
Tamsin Greig from Friday Night Dinner emerged as another excellent suggestion for a new female DI. One admirer commented: “Tamsin would be fantastic! She was good in Riot Women (and of course Black Books).”
Aisling Bea was also mentioned as a potential candidate.
Death in Paradise airs at 9pm on Friday on BBC One.
