BBC Death in Paradise detective makes return to spin-off five years after heartbreaking exit

The Death in Paradise spin-off series will see the return of a former detective who left the Caribbean island in heartbreaking circumstances.

The latest spin-off from Death in Paradise, titled Return to Paradise, is set to welcome back a former detective. The BBC has unveiled the first trailer and fresh images of Return to Paradise, which is due to launch on November 22.

The new images and trailer, set against the scenic backdrop of Dolphin Cove, introduce Anna Samson (Dead Lucky, Wake in Fright, Jack Irish) as DI Mackenzie Clarke and Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso, Nolly) as Detective Colin Cartwright, both engrossed in cracking a case.

Tai Hara (Home and Away, Colin from Accounts, Austin) stars as Glenn Strong, with Celia Ireland (Wentworth, Total Control) and Aaron McGrath (Gold Diggers, Preppers) portraying Police volunteer Reggie Rocco and PC Felix Wilkinson, respectively. Catherine McClements (Total Control, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries) and Andrea Demetriades (Mother and Son, The Artful Dodger) are also featured in the series.

Ahead of the series premiere, the show’s new lead detective, Anna, shared her experience of playing Mackenzie and confirmed Ardal O’Hanlon’s comeback. Ardal previously portrayed detective Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise. Jack had left Saint Marie to relocate to London with his daughter and was subsequently replaced by Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, reports Wales Online.

In Return to Paradise, Jack takes on the role of Mackenzie’s boss. Although Anna confessed she never actually met Ardal during filming, she expressed her excitement at having him appear in the spin-off.

Anna dropped some exciting hints about the show, revealing: “We can expect Ardal to make more than one appearance than just in the first episode,” and went on to add, “Because he plays my boss back at the Metropolitan Police.

“I am in constant contact with him, trying to figure out when I can get out of Dolphin Cove and come back to London. So he quite an important character to Mackenzie, he is her boss and someone she is friends with and respects.”

The actress also gave insights into how the new series nods to its predecessor: “So the show, without being a carbon copy of the original, has lots of tips of the hat to the original, not just with the characters but even certain shots are paying homage to the original, like on the beach with the suitcase and not [wearing] an appropriate outfit for the weather. That is certainly a wink and a nod to the original.”

Despite the connections within the plot, Anna revealed: “I didn’t get to meet Ardal because he shot his stuff in London and my stuff in Australia. I want to meet all of [the Death in Paradise cast]. I think it is something about playing the lead detective in a Paradise show, so I want to talk to them; I would love to meet them all.”

To stir up anticipation, the synopsis for the much-awaited series was shared as well: “Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke, an Australian expat who’s earned her reputation in London’s Metropolitan Police by solving unsolvable murder cases.”

“When she is accused of tampering with evidence, Mackenzie returns to Australia, back to the last place she ever wanted to be her hometown of Dolphin Cove. Having fled the town six years ago, infamously leaving her ex-fiancee Glenn at the altar, Mackenzie is not welcome here.

“But with no other job options and a unique talent for solving a mystery, no matter how challenging, a reluctant Mack joins the team at Dolphin Cove Police Station.

“Once a case lands on her desk, she can’t rest until she’s figured it out and the killer is in handcuffs. It’s that tenacity and work ethic that might just, over time, help Mackenzie win over her new colleagues and the people of Dolphin Cove.”

Return to Paradise airs on November 22nd on BBC One.