Casualty star replaces Death In Paradise officer after ‘heartbreaking’ death
After last week’s shock death, a new officer is joining the Saint Marie beat on Death In Paradise, and he is played by a actor best known for roles in Casualty and a Star Wars movie
After last week’s shock death, a new officer is joining the Saint Marie beat on Death In Paradise, and he is played by a actor best known for roles in Casualty and a Star Wars movie
Young police officer Benjamin Brice was shockingly killed off in last week’s episode of Death In Paradise, and his replacement makes his first appearance on the crime drama series this week.
Fans were devastated on Friday 31 January when they were introduced to Benjamin, who was excitedly preparing to start his new job with Police Saint Marie, but then saw him killed off before the opening credits. The unfortunate recruit was found dead by the roadside in the latest murder to blight the Caribbean island, a twist viewers described as “heartbreaking.”
One wrote: “This might be the most emotionally devastating our theme song has ever felt. Never getting over this one. Fastest I’ve ever fallen for a character and had them ripped away… Fully broke my heart, poor Benjamin.” Another added: “I was not expecting that start to Death in Paradise. WHAAAAAAAT!?!”
Shaquille plays new police officer Sebastian Rose (
Fudge Park/BBC)
Another viewer even likened the opening minutes of the episode to the famously sad opening montage in the Pixar film, Up, as another said: ” Benjamin Brice was killed quicker than Charlie Hulme,” referring to Hugo Speer’s character who died in the very first episode of Death In Paradise back in 2011.
Viewers haven’t been given long to mourn poor Benjamin, either. In the second episode of the new series, it turns out that Commissioner Selwyn Patterson has already lined up a replacement in the form of officer Sebastian Rose.
With the team busy investigating the murder of a reality TV show contestant, Selwyn takes DI Mervin Wilson to the beach to meet Sebastian, who is a fun loving guy working at a fruit stall dressed as a pineapple. “He won’t be dressed as a pineapple when he is on duty,” Selwyn assures Mervin, saying “I think there is potential there,” to the understandably dubious Detective Inspector.
Sebastian is played by 29 year old Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, who made his TV debut as Scott Lambert in a 2013 episode of Casualty. The West London actor also appeared in the drama The Children Act, alongside Emma Thompson, in the Star Wars spin-off movie Solo, and the sci-fi drama series The Feed. Fans may also recognise him as the face of mobile phone company O2 after he appeared in their adverts in 2021.
Mervin and Selwyn have to add a new police officer to the Saint Marie team this week (
(Image: BBC))
The new series of Death In Paradise sees Don Gilet taking over the role of Detective Inspector on the island of Saint Marie following the departure of DI Neville Parker, as played by Ralf Little. Don Gilet ’s Mervin has only elected to stay on the island and do the job for three months while he looks into the death of his own mother, but fans know that the lure of the island will tempt him to stay and they have already embraced him as a character, despite Mervin being quite rude to his colleagues.
Taking to social media, one impressed viewer said: “I know Mervin is rude and blunt, but I just love him. Two episodes in, and he might move to 2nd on my favourites list.”
“Someone told me the new DI didn’t have a ‘thing… but he definitely does, he’s blunt. I love him,” one fan commented while one user added: “Early on, I think I’m going to like our new DI… Neville took a while but was probably my favourite… Let’s see how Mervin gets on.” Another fan posted: “I love Mervin, he reminds me so much of Richard Poole. Sarcastic, with a good heart. Stern, but understanding and wants off the Island but he ain’t leaving.”
Death In Paradise is on BBC One on Fridays at 9pm.
