Meet the cast of Death in Paradise series 9
The 2020 series of Death in Paradise is packed full of big-name guest stars
Death in Paradise is back! With Ardal O'Hanlon (DI Jack Mooney) handing on the baton to Ralf Little (DI Neville Parker), and Aude Legastelois sticking around as DS Madeleine Dumas alongside Shyko Amos (Ruby Patterson) and Tobi Bakare (JP Hooper), the Caribbean crime drama has a strong line-up.
In series nine, they are also joined by some impressive guest stars – including Adrian Edmondson, Samuel West, Nell Hudson, Steve Pemberton, Alexander Vlahos, Javone Prince, and Samantha Bond.
Here are all the stars of the Death in Paradise cast and the characters they'll play, updated weekly as each episode goes out:
Ralf Little plays DI Neville Parker
Who is DI Neville Parker? The new Detective Inspector, who has just replaced DI Jack Mooney as Saint Marie's top cop part-way through series nine. He arrived from Manchester for a quick visit to sign off on an apparent suicide case, but – thanks to an unfortunate case of Deep Vein Thrombosis – he has so far been unable to fly home and get back to normality. Poor DI Neville Parker has lots of health woes, what with being "allergic to everything" and suffering from asthma and being a magnet for every mosquito on the island.
What else has Ralf Little been in? He's perhaps best-known for playing Antony in The Royle Family, and for playing Jonny Keogh in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. The actor, who comes from Manchester, also has a background as a footballer; and his recent TV shows have included The A Word, Doctor Who (as the character Steadfast), and Borderline.
Ardal O'Hanlon plays DI Jack Mooney
Who is DI Jack Mooney? Our recently-departed Detective Inspector, who left part-way through series nine to return to London and move back into the family home with daughter Siobhan.
What else has Ardal O'Hanlon been in? The Irish comedian and actor is best-known for playing clueless and naive Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted. Since then, he's starred in My Hero, Robbie the Reindeer, Blessed, London Irish, After Hours, and Skins, as well as making a recent appearance as Eammon in Derry Girls. Back in 2007, O'Hanlon put in a memorable appearance as Brannigan in Doctor Who.
Tobi Bakare plays JP Hooper
Who is Officer JP Hooper? Now the most long-standing member of the Saint Marie police team, other than the Commissioner, JP is an intelligent and capable officer who has gained in confidence over the years. He used to be Dwayne's right-hand man, but since Dwayne left he's been teaching the ropes to his new partner – Ruby Patterson.
What else has Tobi Bakare been in? He's played Eggy's friend Jamal in both Kingsman: The Golden Circle and Kingsman: The Secret Service. Before that, he appeared as Jamie in The Smoke and Chuks Akinade in The Tunnel, as well as Andy Dixon in The Shadow Line.
Shyko Amos plays Ruby Patterson
Who is Officer Ruby Patterson? With Commissioner Patterson as her uncle, Ruby was able to bag a job with the Honoré Police straight out of police college. Since then she has sought to prove herself to boss DI Jack Mooney and to her partner, JP, but it hasn't always been smooth sailing.
As the BBC puts it, "Ruby is no shrinking violet. Her innate ability to get on with everyone means that she is a natural fit for a police officer. It’s just that wherever Ruby goes, chaos follows. Things like deadlines, punctuality and general tidiness aren’t her priorities in life, which can be a little infuriating for everyone around her. But despite her flaws, Ruby’s cheerful, easy-going attitude always makes her fun to be around."
What else has Shyko Amos been in? Death in Paradise is Shkyo Amos's first big break in the TV world, aside from a brief appearance in A Very English Scandal.
Aude Legastelois plays Madeleine Dumas
Who is Madeleine Dumas? Born and raised in Paris, Madeleine arrived in the previous series to check up on DI Jack Mooney's work – and initially she wasn't impressed by what she found. However, she was soon won over to his methods and to life on the island, and now she's here for good.
"Saint Marie has exposed Madeleine to a team and community that is full of all the qualities she’s avoided - warmth, empathy, inclusivity, friendship and support," the BBC explains. "Sometimes it freaks her out but maybe in time she will start to understand there are alternative ways of achieving contentment."
What else has Aude Legastelois been in? Since launching her screen acting career a couple of years ago, Aude Legastelois has appeared in Budapest, Back Home, They Had a Dream, and Nox.
Don Warrington plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson
Who is Commissioner Selwyn Patterson? Having reached the top rung of the police ladder on Saint Marie, Selwyn Patterson is a prolific networker and a talented political operator. He rarely gets hands-on with police work, but he is always keeping an eye on his team – and rarely misses a chance to issue a dry put-down targeted at DI Jack Mooney. He is extremely proud of his niece, Officer Ruby Patterson.
What else has Don Warrington been in? Don Warrington OBE is an experienced stage and screen actor who first came to public attention as Philip in the seventies TV series Rising Damp. Since then, his credits have included C.A.T.S. Eyes, New Street Law, To Play the King, Hamlet, Henry IX, and The Five. He starred as the alternative-universe President of Great Britain in 2006 Doctor Who episode Rise of Cybermen, and (briefly) competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2008.
Elizabeth Bourgine plays Catherine Bordey
Who is Catherine? Described as "attractive, bright, friendly and one of the island’s local treasures," Catherine is a Frenchwoman who has spent must of her adult life in Saint Marie. She runs a popular beach-front bar in Honoré and knows everybody in town.
What else has Elizabeth Bourgine been in? In France, the actress is best known for movies and TV shows including Private Lessons (Cours privé), A Heart in Winter (Un cœur en hiver), and My Best Friend (Mon meilleur ami). Recently she's been seen in the TV movies Murders in Rochefort and Written in Blood.
Nina Wadia plays Anna Houghton
Who is Anna Houghton? A British tourist visiting Saint Marie, and a potential love interest for DI Jack Mooney. At the start of the series, Anna is spending New Year's Eve on the island when she witnesses a masked assassin who is wanted for murder, and takes her evidence to the police. Nina Wadia told RadioTimes.com: "She's doing a year's worth of travel because it's on her bucket list and she's had a bit of a time with her ex-husband Mike, who was quite selfish, and so she thinks, 'you know what, I don't need this in my life, I'm just going to go and do what I've always wanted to do.' And she literally flies out, and when she least expects to meet someone else, she sees Jack. And for her it's quite instant. She kind of just knows that she likes him."
What else has Nina Wadia been in? Nina Wadia is most famous for starring as Zainab in the BBC soap EastEnders, a role she played for six years until she left in 2013. Since then, we've seen her in Trollied, Danny and Mick, Aladdin, Still Open All Hours, Holby City, Murder on the Blackpool Express, and Origin. Further back, she also co-starred in the sketch comedy show Goodness Gracious Me.
Episode 8 guest stars
Frances Tomelty plays Olivia Reeves
Who is Olivia Reeves? A famous actress (of stage and screen) who retired to Saint Marie several years ago after going blind.
What else has Frances Tomelty been in? The Northern Irish actress played Carol in the TV series Catastrophe, and she was Maureen Sullivan in the first series of Unforgotten. Other recent credits include Black Earth Rising, Apple Tree Yard, and Peaky Blinders – while some older entries on her acting CV include The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, Bullshot, Vanity Fair, and Testament of Youth.
Peter De Jersey plays Robert Garwood
Who is Robert Garwood? Olivia's husband. He was also an actor, but was far less successful than her.
What else has Peter De Jersey been in? Having started out as Steve Waring in Holby City, the actor has recently appeared in Line of Duty (as Joel Rossport), Broadchurch (as SOCO Brian Young), and Doctor Foster (as Nick Stanford). On the big screen he played Michael X in The Bank Job, and in 2013 he played Androgar in Doctor Who episode The Day of the Doctor. Peter De Jersey is also known for his theatre work.
Andi Osho plays Precious Abellard
Who is Precious Abellard? A taxi driver who has become friends with Olivia Reeves.
What else has Andi Osho been in? She was Rochelle Akindele in TV mini-series Kiri, Jenny Donahue in Curfew, A and Ms EB Glover in the movie Shazam! Aside from her acting career, Andi Osho is also a stand-up comedian and TV presenter.
Ukweli Roach plays Archie Garwood
Who is Archie Garwood? Robert's son from a previous relationship.
What else has Ukweli Roach been in? Recent years have seen him as the character Anatole in Humans, FBI psychiatrist Dr Robert Borden in Blindspot, Marcus in The Royals, and Will Benedetti in Hard Sun.
Jonathan Livingstone plays Finlay Gerard
Who is Finlay Gerard? A local fisherman.
What else has Jonathan Livingstone been in? He's appeared in Chewing Gum (as "Boy Tracy"), Holby City, and a variety of plays at the National Theatre.
