Death in Paradise fans have flocked to social media to express their frustrations with the latest series. The 15th season of the hit BBC show was broadcast in January and once again followed Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) as he attempted to solve crimes on the island of Saint Marie. DI Wilson was joined by familiar faces including Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington), DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah).
It’s been almost two months since the series 15 finale, and fans have now admitted they were disappointed with the way some characters, particularly DI Wilson, were written. Taking to Reddit with their complaints, one wrote: “Not really enjoying the way the writers have made the DI and the commissioner overly ornery this season. Especially the DI they have made to be really dislikeable.”
Another agreed: “For the first time, this season I’m actually finding myself disliking the Commissioner.”
A third posted: “Interesting. I’m only on S15 E5. I agree about Wilson. I would think by now they would have him more acclimated & positive about the Island. I wonder when his arc will come.”
A fourth echoed: “I don’t like the writing for this DI either. All the messy family stuff is ridiculous. It makes no sense. He is a career detective and his brother clearly used him initially so why does he keep chasing it? Surely deep down he knows better. (I know he had no family etc but he is better off with no one than the wrong one). And now the niece has arrived it is going to become messier. It’s like it’s turning into Eastenders or something.”
Gilet, 59, made his debut as Saint Marie’s lead detective in the 2024 Christmas special, taking over from Ralf Little.
Several viewers have admitted they were unhappy with the writing in the latest series (Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, Warrington stands as one of the longest-serving characters on the show, having portrayed Selwyn Patterson since the BBC series first kicked off in 2011.
Thankfully for viewers, the writers have plenty of time to redeem themselves as it was recently announced that Death in Paradise has been commissioned for seasons 16 and 17.
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: “Death in Paradise is a global phenomenon and we are incredibly proud to have it on the BBC, where it goes from strength to strength. It’s with great pleasure that we share the news that we’ll be returning to Saint Marie for two more sun-soaked series and Christmas specials.”
