Beyond Paradise Christmas special cast: Meet the new and returning characters
Who stars alongside Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton?
Ahead of Beyond Paradise season 3, the BBC has very kindly delivered a Christmas special to pair with your mulled wine and as ever, there's plenty to keep you entertained.
"When a widower starts seeing the ghost of his late wife, DI Humphrey Goodman and the team are called in to investigate," reads the official synopsis.
"DS Esther Williams is deeply sceptical, but Humphrey is more than happy to dive into his first haunting. It's Christmas after all, and who doesn’t like a festive ghost story?"
Humphrey and Martha are also fostering a teenager called Jaiden, which isn't quite what either of them hoped – at least to begin with.
"So far, the only foster placement Humphrey and Martha have had was a young boy called Ryan, who was cheeky, energetic, and relatively easy to look after – but that was just a short-term placement," said Kris Marshall.
"Every child is different, and fostering is an emotional roller coaster. Each placement brings its unique challenges, and Martha and Humphrey face them together.
"While Humphrey is supportive and involved, most of the parenting tends to fall on Martha’s shoulders. But Humphrey does find the whole fostering experience deeply rewarding."
Alongside Humphrey, Martha and the rest of the main cast, several new guest stars have also joined the fold.
Find a full rundown below.
Beyond Paradise Christmas special cast
- Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman
- Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd
- Zahra Ahmadi as DS Esther Williams
- Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kelby Hartford
- Felicity Montagu as office support Margo Martins
- Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd
- Melina Sinadinou as Zoe
- Jade Harrison as CS Charlie Woods
- Amalia Vitale as Hannah Owen
- Austin Taylor as Jaiden
- Mark Heap as Bob
- Rosaline Adler as Linda
- Tamla Kari as Fiona
- Seann Walsh as Colin
- Chizzy Akudolu as Reverend Kate
- Simon Nagra as Marcus
- Sami Amber as Ben
Read on for everything you need to know about the characters in the Beyond Paradise Christmas special and where you've seen the actors who play them before.
Kris Marshall plays DI Humphrey Goodman
Who is DI Humphrey Goodman? After leaving Saint Marie to follow his love interest Martha Lloyd to the UK, they're now engaged. Humphrey is working in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott in Devon. His colleagues weren't sure what to make of him when he first arrived, but they quickly fell into a rhythm.
In the first season, his relationship with Martha was driven to the brink as they struggled to conceive, but they're now back on track and fostering. The couple were going to get married last season, but the timing wasn't right.
Where have I seen Kris Marshall before? Aside from Death in Paradise, he's best known for Love Actually, My Family and Sanditon, among others.
Sally Bretton plays Martha Lloyd
Who is Martha Lloyd? Martha, Humphrey's partner, runs a cáfe of her own. In the first season, she and Humphrey were trying for a baby, but have since turned their attention to fostering after the constant disappointment proved too great a strain.
"It was wonderful to come back to this character after five years," said Bretton. "I really like Martha. She's very warm and driven, but she overthinks things, so she's interesting to play."
Where have I seen Sally Bretton before? You've probably also watched her in comedy Not Going Out with Lee Mack.
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Zahra Ahmadi plays Detective Sergeant Esther Williams
Who is Detective Sergeant Esther Williams? Like many people, Esther was bemused by Humphrey when she first met him and was unsure of his approach to policing, but they've since developed a strong working relationship and friendship.
She's intelligent and driven, rising through the police ranks at a rapid rate, and she knows the community inside and out having grown up there, which is invaluable during their investigations. She had a child when she 17, which was a challenging moment in her life, but she rose to the occasion.
Where have I seen Zahra Ahmadi before? She played the original Shabnam in EastEnders, starred in BBC sitcom Count Arthur Strong and appeared in season 3 of ITV's The Bay. Ahmadi also appeared in a single episode of Death in Paradise in 2018.
Dylan Llewellyn plays Police Constable Kelby Hartford
Who is Police Constable Kelby Hartford? He was born and raised in Shipton Abbott, which means he knows a lot of the criminals he catches.
Kelby is naive at times, but he's also hard-working and determined – attributes which serve him well in the job. He also strives to impress Humphrey.
Where have I seen Dylan Llewellyn before? He starred as the "wee English fella" in Derry Girls and Jack in Big Boys.
Felicity Montagu plays Office Support Margo Martins
Who is Office Support Margo Martins? She's permanently based at the police station, manning the phones and throwing a withering stare at whoever crosses her. She loves the job, although she'd never admit it.
Margo has had three husbands, all of whom are dead (no, she's not a serial killer – we hope not, anyway) and she hardly ever sees her grown-up children. She's not a fan of Humphrey when he first arrives on the scene, but grows to appreciate him.
Where have I seen Felicity Montagu before? She best known as Lynn in Alan Partridge. She recently appeared in Channel 4 comedy Hullraisers.
Barbara Flynn plays Anne Lloyd
Who is Anne Lloyd? Martha's mum. Her husband died three years ago, leaving her bereft. She's also very close to her daughter. In season 2, she explored the dating scene, which caused some friction with Martha and left her heartbroken.
Where have I seen Barbara Flynn before? You might have watched her in ITV's Kate & Koji and The Durrells, BBC's Cranford and Cracker with Robbie Coltrane.
Melina Sinadinou plays Zoe
Who is Zoe? Esther's teenage daughter. The pair have a loving relationship, but can clash on occasion.
Where have I seen Melina Sinadinou before? This is her biggest role to date.
Jade Harrison plays Charlie Woods
Who is Charlie Woods? A chief superintendent who takes no prisoners. Kelby has a huge crush on her.
Where have I seen Jade Harrison before? You might know her from Netflix's The Stranger, Disney Plus series Wedding Season and Hollyoaks.
Additional returning cast includes:
- Amalia Vitale (Big Mood) plays Hannah Owen – a social worker who Humphrey and Martha have been liaising with regarding fostering.
Beyond Paradise Christmas special guest cast
- Austin Taylor (Doctor Who) plays Jaiden – he's being fostered by Humphrey and Martha.
- Mark Heap (Friday Night Dinner, Spaced, Green Wing, Lark Rise to Candleford) plays Bob – his wife died earlier in the year and he's now seeing her ghost.
- Rosaline Adler plays Linda – Bob's late wife.
- Tamla Kari (The Musketeers, The Ipcress File, DI Ray) plays Fiona – Bob's youngest child.
- Seann Walsh (a comedian who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing with Katya Jones) plays Colin – Fiona's partner. He runs his own business specialising in sustainable packaging.
- Chizzy Akudolu (Holby City) plays Reverend Kate
- Simon Nagra (Doctors, Three Girls) plays Marcus – he was on the verge of buying Bob's house when the sale fell through.
- Sami Amber plays Ben – Jaiden's youngest brother.
The Beyond Paradise Christmas 2024 special will air on Friday 27th December at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
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