BBC Death in Paradise Christmas Special start date, cast, plot and episode length

The Death in Paradise Christmas Special will see the BBC return to Saint Marie where an office Christmas party of a lifetime is taking place. But when is the festive episode on and what can viewers expect?

The Death in Paradise Christmas Special is set to broadcast next weekend, with the BBC returning to Saint Marie for what promises to be an unforgettable office Christmas celebration.

But the merriment takes a sinister twist when four colleagues awaken nursing brutal hangovers only to discover a mysterious stranger has been shot dead in their villa’s swimming pool. This Christmas 2025 episode follows Commissioner Selwyn Patterson’s departure at the conclusion of series 14, leaving the team to navigate their duties without his guidance.

“It’s certainly a great loss, that feeling that the person who you can always go to isn’t going to be there anymore,” explained Don Gilet, who portrays DI Mervin Wilson, before adding: “It’s left an emotional hole in the team and it’s going to be interesting for audiences to see how they survive without him.”

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Death in Paradise cast(Image: BBC)

Whilst it remains uncertain whether Selwyn will feature in the Christmas Special, familiar faces returning alongside DI Mervin Wilson include Shantol Jackson as Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose, Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey and Ginny Holder as Darlene Curtis. Regarding what audiences can anticipate from the festive instalment, Don revealed: “There’s plenty of humour, but even more heart. It pushes and pulls emotionally and comedically in equal measure. Mervin faces far more antagonism, and things are a lot more challenging for him, especially now he knows there’s a half-brother out there to find. However, you can still get cosy, sip your Baileys and enjoy another great Death in Paradise Christmas special!” But when exactly will the Death in Paradise Christmas Special be broadcast? Here’s all the essential information you need.

Death in Paradise Christmas Special transmission date

The Death in Paradise Christmas Special will be shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, December 28. Audiences can watch the seasonal episode at 8:30pm for the programme which will last for 1 hour and 30 minutes, reports Wales Online.

This follows one week after the programme’s spin-off series Beyond Paradise was transmitted on Sunday, December 21, with fans able to stream it on iPlayer.

Death in Paradise Christmas Special performer line-up

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Death in Paradise Christmas Special cast(Image: BBC)

Don Gilet stars as DI Mervin Wilson – Don is most recognised for his portrayal of Lucas Johnson in EastEnders and Jesse Law in Holby City. Additionally returning to their characters are Shantol Jackson as Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose, Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey and Ginny Holder as Darlene Curtis.

Guest stars for the Christmas Special include Josie Lawrence, known for Outside Edge and EastEnders, Sanditon’s Kate Ashfield, Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie, Emmerdale’s James Baxter, Billy Harris, known for Ted Lasso, Ren’s Oriana Charles, and Alix Serman.

Death in Paradise Christmas Special plot

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Death In Paradise 2025 Christmas special(Image: BBC)

A synopsis for the episode reads: “The Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas Special sees the office Christmas party of a lifetime take a dark turn when four co-workers wake up with the hangover from hell to find a stranger shot dead in the pool of their villa.

“DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) and the team – DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) – identify the murder weapon, but they’re left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the shooting took place… thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon! How is that possible? And why did the victim have the name of one of Santa’s reindeer inked on his palm?”.

“The suspects all claim to have never met the victim. But can they be trusted? As the team are led deeper into a web of secrets and criminality, it becomes clear that they’ll need all the help they can get to solve this baffling case. Perhaps an old colleague spending Christmas in the UK can be tempted to lend a hand…

“Meanwhile, Saint Marie’s festivities are gearing up. The annual nativity is afoot, and Mervin has a part to play. But the DI has other things on his mind. Months back, he reached out to his newly discovered brother but still hasn’t received a response. Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?”.