Death in Paradise star opens up on ‘second home’ as she shares filming update
Shantol Jackson, who plays Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas, has discussed how filming on the Caribbean island has become her 'second home' ahead of series 15
Shantol Jackson is returning to Death in Paradise (Image: BBC)
Death In Paradise favourite Shantol Jackson has spoken candidly about her return to the series for another season.
The star portrays Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas alongside Don Gilet’s DI Mervin Wilson, following his takeover of the lead role from Ralf Little in series 14.
The cherished crime drama is set to return within days for its 15th series, with Shantol disclosing that filming on the tropical location has become her “second home”.
When questioned about how it felt to be back for “another year in paradise”, she revealed: “Guadeloupe has become my second home. I’ve become so familiar with the island – when you have friends there, it feels like coming home. I was very excited to return.
“When Don Gilet started last year, it was so refreshing and I was excited to return to that dynamic with Don and Shaquille. It was great getting to see my guys and to jump back into it,” reports the Express.
Death In Paradise is returning for a 15th season(Image: BBC)
The new series will see DI Mervin continue to adjust to life in Saint Marie, as he and his team deal with more baffling cases.
At the same time, he’s attempting to connect with his newly-discovered half-brother Solomon (played by Daniel Ward) but as they turn out to be not as similar as he had perhaps hoped they might be, his initial happiness turns to frustration.
The BBC synopsis goes on to tease: “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.”
The series is filmed in Guadalupe(Image: BBC)
Going on to tease the cases that the team battle this season, Shantol revealed one including a “sea monster”.
She continued: “We also have a hilarious group of theatre actors performing a Shakespeare play who were all so funny, we had a great time with them. The play was The Tempest, so we had a beautiful shipwreck set on the beach, which was fantastic.”
Death In Paradise, situated on the fictional tropical island of Saint Marie, in the town of Honore, is actually shot in Guadeloupe.
Shantol Jackson and Don Gilet are returning(Image: BBC)
Viewers have been mesmerised by the breathtaking landscapes, as it delivers winter sunshine to television screens, though Neville Parker actor Ralf previously told Express.co.uk: “There’s two narratives about this show and both of them aren’t quite fair. One is that, ‘Oh it’s a big old jolly because look how beautiful it is.’
“And the other narrative is the exact opposite which is, ‘Oh you wouldn’t believe how tough it is, it’s a nightmare, it’s really difficult to be hot’,” he added.
“It’s neither of those things and both of those things all at the same time. I’m feeling incredibly lucky to be here but it’s a physically demanding show – there’s no two ways about it.”
Death In Paradise returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Friday 30th January at 9pm.
