Death in Paradise season 14: Release date speculation and latest news
Everything you need to know.
This year's Death in Paradise Christmas special introduced the show's brand new lead detective, Don Gilet's Mervin Wilson, who had travelled to the Caribbean to meet his mother for the first time – a plan which sadly didn't pan out as he'd hoped.
At the end of the festive episode, Mervin made it clear that he would not be sticking around in Saint Marie, but of course he's not going anywhere for the time being.
"He's an amazing actor," said executive producer Tim Key of the show's newest addition. "He's funny, but he also has an emotional storyline.
"It feels as though he was born to lead our show. From day one, it felt like he'd been there for ever. We’re lucky to have him."
Gilet's arrival also marks the first time Death in Paradise has been lead by a Black actor, something he himself has addressed.
"There can be superficial ways one can be described and defined," he told Radio Times magazine. "If they were looking for the best actor to take on the mantle, a guy who can do a bit of comedy and a bit of serious, and fuse those together, then I’ll take that.
"The roles I go up for, they’re not Black parts, they’re just parts, and when I don’t get them, it’s because that job wasn’t right for me. I have to say to myself, 'It’s your job – own it.' And if your efforts bear fruit, then you have to enjoy that."
Read more:
- Death in Paradise Christmas special answers big mystery about DI Mervin Wilson
- Has Danny John-Jules left Death in Paradise again?
Read on for everything you need to know about Death in Paradise season 14.
Death in Paradise season 14 release date speculation: When could it air?
The season 14 release date has yet to be announced, but its release window is early 2025.
The show typically airs in January, although season 13 landed on screens in early February, so it remains to be seen exactly when season 14 will make its debut.
Death in Paradise season 14 cast: Who's returning?
In huge news, we've seen the last of Ralf Little's DI Neville Parker, who waved goodbye to Saint Marie at the end of season 13 with Joséphine Jobert's Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell in tow.
"My time on Saint Marie has come to an end – what an end!" said the actor in a statement. "New adventures await Neville, and he got to sail away into the sunset with his best friend. Who knows what happens for them next!
"I can't thank you all enough for the support over the last four and a half years. It's been one of the most magical and profound experiences of my entire life. The team that makes Death in Paradise - the producers, writers, directors, crew, guest cast and my magnificent co-stars – they know what they're doing, and the future is in good hands.
"I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s been the ride of a lifetime."
Little has been replaced by former EastEnders star Don Gilet.
Gilet, who has also had roles in series Shetland and The Stranger, and film The Beekeeper, is playing Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, from London, who isn't thrilled with his new surroundings when he first arrives.
Speaking about joining the show, Gilet said: "From the time I was seen for the part and subsequently offered the part, it really has been, I don't like to use those terms loosely, but a roller coaster is really what it's like. It's just like going on to some ride that scares the heck out of you, but you go onto it anyway, because you just like the thrills and spills.
"It was exciting and daunting at the same time. And every day that I was out on set, it's like another exciting and daunting day going, 'Have I have I got it? Have I got this character nailed?' It was a great personal growth at the same time as the narrative of personal growth for Mervin throughout the episode."
The rest of the cast is as follows:
- Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson
- Shantol Jackson as Sergeant Naomi Thomas
- Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis
- Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey
You can also expect a new batch of guest stars as the team tackle a raft of new cases each week.
But it remains to be seen if Danny John-Jules will return as Officer Dwayne Myers after the character announced that he was stepping away from policing to spend more time with his father in the Christmas special.
Death in Paradise is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Authors
Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.
