BBC Beyond Paradise sees Esther and Archie’s flirtation take a surprising turn

BBC Beyond Paradise sees Esther and Archie’s flirtation take a surprising turn

In the BBC’s popular detective drama series Beyond Paradise, a spin-off from Death In Paradise, one couple may have finally found love after years of emotional turmoil. The show has been brimming with romantic narratives since its comeback. After reigniting their romance in Saint Marie, Humphrey and Martha decided to carry on their love story back in Shipton Abbot.

However, not all characters in the series have been as fortunate in love. Indeed, the relationship between Humphrey and Martha was put under strain with the arrival of Archie, Martha’s ex-lover. Despite Archie’s unresolved feelings for his former partner, Martha stayed loyal to Humphrey.

Meanwhile, chatter about dating apps has been a hot topic between Martha’s mum Anne and Esther’s daughter Zoe, both in search of their perfect match. Last series saw Anne devastated when she found out her love interest was already married.

BBC Beyond Paradise sees Esther and Archie’s flirtation take a surprising turn(Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Joss Barratt )

A potential love story is also simmering between young PC Kelby Hartford and his boss, the Chief Superintendent. She even gave him a peck on the cheek last series as a thank you for his support during a case involving her grandmother.

However, any prospects of a romance seem unlikely as the Chief Superintendent is happily committed to someone else, leading Kelby to venture into the world of online dating.

Dylan, the talent behind the charming Kelby on screen, shared some juicy details: “We kick off with Kelby solving a mysterious case of missing sheep and then attending a wine party. He’s hoping to have a chat with the Chief Superintendent but when he sees her with another guy his face drops. It’s a tough moment for him as he starts to realise that his feelings for her might be one-sided.”

He continued, revealing Kelby’s inner turmoil: “He’s been like a smitten puppy around her but it’s clear she’s not reciprocating. So, this series marks a turning point for Kelby – he’s starting to accept that maybe it’s just puppy love and it’s time to move on. He gets onto the dating apps, trying to find love, with a bit of help from the gang, especially Margo, who offers some amusing dating advice.”

Humphrey Goodman and DS Esther Williams (Image: BBC)

Although Kelby is facing a rocky road in his love life, there’s a whiff of romance in the air for Esther, hinting at upcoming plot twists. In a teaser for tonight’s episode, the return of Archie Hughes brings a certain spark suggesting romance could well be in the cards for the two characters.

Zahra weighed in on Esther’s storyline: “Esther is a very professional and private person. While she has an active social life with friends and hobbies, her love life is something she keeps very low-key.

“She’s selective and doesn’t openly discuss it, especially because of her job. Over the years love hasn’t been her focus, though dating and companionship in the right amounts are something she’s interested in, like most people. At this point in the series, she’s in such a good place that she’s unknowingly giving off a different kind of energy – it’s attracting a different kind of man than she’s used to.”

Expanding on the character’s journey, she added: “She’s hesitant at first because this person isn’t someone she’d usually go for. But this new, more confident version of Esther thinks, ‘OK, let’s see where this goes.’ Things end up going further than she initially expected, which creates some challenges and forces her to think seriously about the situation. It’s not something she’s allowed herself to get into since Zoe’s dad.”