Death in Paradise icon confirms exit of co-star as replacement announced ‘we’ll miss her’
Death in Paradise has announced the arrival of a new police officer, as Ginny Holder is noticeably absent from the new series. Instead, fans will be introduced to new police Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, played by actress Catherine Garton.
Darlene was also missing from the Death in Paradise Christmas special as she only appeared via video link rather than in person. Don Gilet will also be back as he reprises his role of Detective Mervin Wilson alongside Shantol Jackson, who plays DS Naomi Thomas.
Don Warrington will also be returning to play Commissioner Selwyn Patterson with Elizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey, while Shaquille Ali-Yebuah will reprise his role as Officer Sebastian Rose.
There will also be some other big names joining the series for a guest appearance, including Sarah Hadland, Siobhan Finneran, Hermione Norris, Steffan Rhodri, Ben Willbond, Gary Wilmot, and Tim McMullan.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk and other press in a new interview, the cast have now opened up about Ginny’s absence, with Shantol Jackson admitting, “We’ll miss her.”
Shantol, who plays Naomi Thomas, shared, “We definitely Miss Ginny because Ginny’s character, she was like…so Catherine comes in and she’s the older sister, or, you know, the older cousin, but Ginny was like, Queen Mother.”
One character is missing from the Death in Paradise line-up (Image: BBC)
Darlene Curtis is absent from the series (Image: BBC)
Shaquille, who plays Officer Rose, chipped in, “She was the auntie.”
Shantol went on, “And the beautiful thing about Ginny was that she was auntie of the police station, so Darlene…she carried that in her character, and then that’s how she was outside of set.
“So, you know, we’ll find that we miss the character and miss the person, but you know, thankfully, Catherine has done so exceptionally well that you don’t feel like there is an empty gap.
“It doesn’t feel like, oh, ‘we are missing a person, or we are missing a character’. It doesn’t feel that way at all. You miss the person, but that space. I think Catherine has done a really good job in carrying Jonny’s baton, and so we’re just really grateful for that.”
Saint Marie Police Force has introduced its newest officer (Image: BBC)
Sergeant Mattie Fletcher seems to have taken Darlene’s place in the team (Image: BBC)
Other guest stars appearing in Death in Paradise are Julian Rhind-Tutt, Ace Bhatti, Louis Davison, Scarlett Alice Johnson, Sean Delaney, Lizzie Davidson, Kojo Kamara, Layo-Christina Akinlude, Sandra James-Young, Phoebe Sparrow, Antonia Bernath, and Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, who played Selwyn Patterson’s replacement when he left Saint Marie.
The synopsis for the series teases, “As DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) continues to adjust to life in Saint Marie, he and the police team must face a myriad of baffling cases.
“But whilst attempting to connect with his recently discovered half-brother Solomon (Daniel Ward), Mervin’s newfound familial happiness soon turns to frustration as he discovers the pair are not quite as similar as he hoped they might be.”
It continues, “A returning Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) confronts the impact of his recent period of absence, and after some tough love from old friend, Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine), he’s determined to win back the trust of the island.
“Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) help new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton) settle into the fold, which might be easier said than done as shadows from her past begin to reveal themselves.”
