Death in Paradise Christmas special cast: Meet the characters

"This is a big show with a big heart, and the love continually grows for it. It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated.

"Even during those testing times when every sinew is screaming at me to run off the set and dive into the sea, swimming pool or an ice-cold beer – whichever happens to be closer at the time."

Executive producer Tim Key added: "Don is an amazing actor and we’re delighted that he’s joining us as the show enters another exciting new era.

"We’ve got huge plans for the new series and beyond, and I can’t wait for the audience to meet Mervin and to see what we’ve got in store..."

In this year's festive episode, "Londoner Mervin Wilson ruffles some feathers as he clashes with the island's way of life".

"But he quickly sinks his teeth into one of the team's most puzzling murder cases yet: three men, all unconnected apart from the fact that they’re dressed as Santa Claus, and seemingly all shot with the exact same gun at the exact same time," adds the official synopsis.

"As Mervin wrangles this impossible murder, his colleagues struggle with their new boss’s unusual working methods. And Dwayne’s Christmas with his father doesn’t exactly go to plan."

Alongside the show's latest newcomer, a number of familiar faces have returned for the festive episode, plus a top-tier assortment of guest stars.

Read on for everything you need to know about the characters and where you've seen the actors who play them before.

Death in Paradise Christmas special cast

The main cast of Death in Paradise is as follows:

• Don Gilet as Mervin Wilson
• Don Warrington as Selwyn Patterson
• Shantol Jackson as Naomi Thomas
• Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey
• Ginny Holder as Darlene Curtis
• Danny John-Jules as Dwayne Myers

Don Gilet plays Mervin Wilson

Who is Mervin Wilson? The detective inspector is on holiday in Saint Marie when his boss back in London asks him to help Honoré Police solve a double murder and an attempted murder in Neville Parker's absence. But he's reluctant to stay on the island, so much so that he cut his vacation short.

What else has Don Gilet been in? He's best known for EastEnders, Holby City and 55 Degrees North. You might also recognise him from Shetland, Sherwood, The Stranger and The Loch.

Don Warrington plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson

Who is Selwyn Patterson? Commissioner Selwyn Patterson has been an integral part of Death in Paradise since the first season and oversees the running of the island's police department. In season 12, Selwyn discovered that he has a grown-up daughter, which he found difficult to process at first. At the beginning of season 13, his life hung in the balance after he was shot. But he made a full recovery after a tricky initial adjustment period.

What else has Don Warrington been in? Warrington has appeared in countless productions on stage and screen. with highlights including playing Philip in Rising Damp, and appearing in Doctor Who's Rise of the Cybermen back in 2006. In 2008, he took part in Strictly Come Dancing, in which he was partnered with Lilia Kopylova.

Shantol Jackson plays Naomi Thomas

Who is Naomi Thomas? Sergeant Thomas joined in season 11 and fast became an integral member of the team. Prior to her entrance, she had never been part of a murder investigation before, but quickly adapted. In last year's festive episode, she made a move on her former colleague Marlon after one too many cocktails, but later regretted her decision.

What else has Shantol Jackson been in? Death in Paradise was something of a career breakthrough for Jackson, but she previously appeared in a small role in Idris Elba's film Yardie and had a main part in 2018 sports movie Sprinter.

Élizabeth Bourgine plays Catherine Bordey

Who is Catherine Bordey? Catherine Bordey is the island's mayor and owns her own beachfront bar. She's also a solid advice-giver and previously jumped at any chance to set Neville up on a date.

What else has Élizabeth Bourgine been in? Like Jobert, Élizabeth Bourgiune is French and has appeared in several shows and movies in her home country, including Private Lessons, A Heart in Winter and My Best Friend.

Ginny Holder plays Darlene Curtis

Who is Darlene Curtis? We first met Darlene in season 7 when she entered the frame as Dwayne Myers's love interest. She was initially the police station's office admin, but she's now a key part of the team.

"She goes from trainee to Officer extraordinaire, which is major for her," said Holder. "She's still quite feisty. She can never lose that because it's so needed."

What else has Ginny Holder been in? Holder is best known for her role in Holby City, but has also starred in Doctors, DCI Banks, The Capture and Ragdoll.

Danny John-Jules plays Dwayne Myers

Who is Dwayne Myers? Dwayne was a long-serving police officer at Honoré Police Station, appearing in 57 episodes of the show – and knew the island of Saint Marie better than anyone. He previously left to spend time with his estranged father in London, who was ill. He did briefly return in the 2021 Christmas special, before exiting once again, but he's now been back a while. It remains to be seen how long he sticks around for.

What else has Danny John-Jules been in? John-Jules is best known for Red Dwarf, while other credits include a role on CBBC children's spy drama MI High and CBeebies series The Story Makers.

Death in Paradise Christmas special guest stars

• Ram John Holder (Desmond's, Rocket's Island, Coronation Street) plays Nelson Myers – Dwayne's father.
• Marcus Brigstocke (Have I Got News for You, QI, Would I Lie To You?) plays Stuart Fullwell – he's on a Christmas break with his wife-to-be. Stuart is found dead on the beach wearing a Santa costume.
• Angela Griffin (The Wives, Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Holby City, White Lines) plays Tabitha Reed – Stuart's fiancée. She is seemingly crushed by his death.
• Steven Hartley (The Bill, EastEnders, Doctors) plays Tony Hurst – a songwriter who's working on his memoir. Tony is found dead in his villa, also wearing a Santa costume.
• Jim Howick (Ghosts, Sex Education, Horrible Histories) plays Jamie Barton – he works for a council. Jamie is staying at the same hotel as Stuart.
• Charles Stagg plays Ollie Barton – Jamie's young son. He finds Stuart's body on the beach.
• Elizabeth Carling (Casualty, Hotel Portofino, Goodnight Sweetheart) plays Karla Hammond – she owns a luxury design business and is staying at the same hotel.
• Michael Salami (Hollyoaks, Supacell) plays Tyrus Demille – he owns his own market stall. On the night Stuart and Tony are killed, he's also shot at while walking home dressed as Santa.
• Dex Lee (Doctors) plays Kenny Simmons – he works at the hotel where Stuart and co are staying.
• Joy Richardson (Silent Witness) plays Brianna Clemetson – she accuses Mervin of being the murderer.

Death in Paradise former cast members

Ben Miller played Richard Poole

Who is Richard Poole? The first lead detective to feature on Death in Paradise, Richard Poole was a very accomplished detective – who was shockingly murdered in the first episode of season 3.

What else has Ben Miller been in? Miller is well known as one half of the comedy double act Armstrong and Miller alongside Alexander Armstrong, while other major titles include Professor T, Bridgerton, Suspect and Paddington.

Kris Marshall played Humphrey Goodman

Who is Humphrey Goodman? Poole's replacement on Saint Marie, Humphrey Goodman arrived on the island in season 3 and became chief inspector. He enjoyed life in Saint Marie and was known for solving mysteries very quickly. He left to start a new chapter with his girlfriend Martha and they now have their own spin-off, Beyond Paradise.

What else has Kris Marshall been in? Marshall is best known for My Family, Love, Actually and Sanditon.

Ardal O'Hanlon played Jack Mooney

Who is Jack Mooney? The third lead detective in the show's run, Mooney took over from Goodman and was a friendly and unassuming inspector. He was planning to travel the world with his love interest Anna, hut instead headed back to London to spend more time with his daughter. Jack recently popped up in Australian Death in Paradise spin-off Return to Paradise.

What else has Ardal O'Hanlon been in? O'Hanlon's credits include Father Ted, My Hero, Extraordinary, The Woman in the Wall and Derry Girls, in addition to his successful stand-up career.

Ralf Little played Neville Parker

Who is Neville Parker? Neville Parker followed on from Jack Mooney as the show's lead detective.

In season 11, sparks were flying between Neville and holidaymaker Sophie, but their love story crashed and burned when it emerged that she was on a mission to destroy him as revenge for the death of her sister – who Neville had arrested many years ago. Following that ordeal, he looked set to leave, but Neville stayed until the end of season 13, before sailing off into the sunset with Florence Cassell.

What else has Ralf Little been in? Before joining the cast of Death in Paradise back in 2020, Little was best known for his roles on sitcoms The Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

Joséphine Jobert plays Florence Cassell

Who is Florence Cassell? Florence worked alongside Neville in the Saint Marie police force as a detective sergeant and had something of a will-they / won't-they romance with the detective. But she later told him that she only saw him as a friend. Florence then left Saint Marie due to being in danger after exposing a major big-time criminal, but she popped up in season 13 after exiting witness protection and appeared to have developed feelings for Neville. After some more will-they / won't-they action, the pair decided to go travelling together.

What else has Joséphine Jobert been in? Alongside Death in Paradise, she has appeared on a number of TV shows in her homeland France including Cut, Summer Crush and Saint-Ex, nos années pension.

Tahj Miles played Marlon Pryce

Who is Marlon Pryce? Marlon was first seen on Death in Paradise as a petty criminal who spent his days scamming tourists, before becoming an officer with the local police force. In season 13, his sister received a scholarship to a school in Jamaica and with their mum unable to accompany her, he volunteered to go instead.

What else has Tahj Miles been in? Miles recently starred in Mr Loverman. He previously appeared as part of the main cast on Class Dismissed, and also had a role in Steve McQueen's Mangrove – part of the Small Axe series of films on BBC One.

Sara Martins played Camille Bordey

Who is Camille Bordey? A Detective Sergeant who worked under both Richard Poole and Humphrey Goodman, Camille is the daughter of Catherine. She was departed the island after being assigned an undercover job in Paris.

What else has Sara Martins been in? Martins has appeared in a number of series both in the UK and in France including Father Brown, Grand Hôteland, The Coroner and Those About to Die.

Tobi Bakare played JP Hooper

Who is JP Hooper? A sergeant who is close friends with Dwayne Myers, JP had always dreamed of being a diligent and hard working police officer. He left to take on a new job, but did return briefly in season 13.

What else has Tobi Bakare been in? Bakare played Jamal in the first two Kingsman films and has also had regular roles on The Tunnel and The Smoke.

Gary Carr played Fidel Best

Who is Fidel Best? Originally an officer – before being promoted to Sergeant, Fidel was a young investigator who was known for his organisational abilities and his eagerness to impress. He went on to work in St Lucia.

What else has Gary Carr been in? Since leaving Death in Paradise in 2014, Carr has had major roles in a number of series including The Deuce, Genius and Trigonometry as well as appearing in four episodes of Downton Abbey and films including Bolden and 21 Bridges.

Aude Legastelois-Bidé played Madeleine Dumas

Who is Madeleine Dumas? A Detective Sergeant who worked alongside Jack Mooney, arrived in Saint Marie after living in Paris for most of her life. She moved back to Paris after being offered a promotion.

What else has Aude Legastelous-Bidé been in? Legastelois-Bidé has also appeared in episodes of Nox and The Hookup Plan.

Shyko Amos played Ruby Patterson

Who is Ruby Patterson? An officer who replaced Dwayne Myers on the Honoré Police Station team, Ruby was just starting her career in the police – and is the niece of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson. After a trip to Paris, she decided to remain there permanently.

What else has Shyko Amos been in? Besides Death in Paradise, Amos's most high-profile appearance to date was in an episode of A Very English Scandal in 2018.

All previous seasons of Death in Paradise are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

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