Death in Paradise season 14: Release date and latest news

"It seems they can and they have," responded the soon-to-be-ex-commissioner. "It seems it comes back to one thing: to save money."

Don Warrington is the show's longest-serving cast member, which means none of us have any idea what the murder mystery could look like without him.

But Tobi Bakare, who returned as JP for a guest appearance this season, does think it could survive without him.

"Don is an integral part of the show, but I always say this show has this very unique way of surviving," he said.

"Even though there are so many deaths on the island, the show itself always survives. It just knows how to stay. They've tapped into a formula that they can constantly work around.

"And it's exciting to see sometimes when you're backed into a corner; it's exciting to see what you come up with, to bring up something new and fresh, so I think it can definitely survive."

But Bakare did go on to say that Warrington would be "a big miss" if he was to leave.

"Don is just Don," he added. "So there'll be some coming back from him."

Elsewhere, Mervin is convinced that his mother was murdered and is now looking into her death, while Darlene has her hands full mentoring the team's new officer, Sebastian Rose, which is proving to be quite the challenge.

Read on for everything else you need to know about Death in Paradise season 14.

Death in Paradise season 14 release date: When does it air?

Season 14 arrived on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on Friday 31st January 2025.

New episodes arrive every Friday.

Death in Paradise season 14 cast: Who returned?

It was out with Ralf Little's DI Neville Parker and in with 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
• Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose

But we've seen the last of Danny John-Jules as Officer Dwayne Myers, who departed in the Christmas special.

Tobi Bakare returned briefly as Sergeant JP Hooper in a guest capacity.

He was part of the show from season 4 to season 10, before returning for a hot minute in season 13.

The rest of the guest cast for the season includes:

• Michelle Greenidge (Kaos)
• Joy Richardson (Dreamland)
• Stephen Odubola (Boiling Point)
• Anthony J Abraham (The Acolyte)
• Simon Lennon (Our Girl)
• Bhavna Limbachia (Brassic)
• Adam James (The Day of the Jackal)
• David Avery (Gangs of London)
• Sofia Oxenham (A Very Royal Scandal)

Death in Paradise season 14 plot: What will happen?

DI Mervin Wilson returns, but how long will he remain on the team?

"Following the recently cracked case of 'who shot the Santas?', along with the revelation that his estranged mother has passed away, Mervin is ready to get back home and leave the island for good," reads the official synopsis.

"But when a case close to the hearts of those at the station presents itself, is he tempted to extend his stay?"

Mervin is also given the opportunity to "learn more about his mother's life", but quickly discovers that "things may not be all that they seem in Saint Marie".

"As everything he thought he knew unravels, will his life ever be the same again?" adds the synopsis.

Commissioner Selwyn Patterson is also forced to "deal with momentous news from the Chief Commissioner in Jamaica that rocks the police department to its very core".

"As an unexpected foe attempts to enforce the unfathomable, Catherine, in her role as Mayor, acts as the last line of defence in a battle to save the team as we know it," reads the description.

And in an "unexpected twist, Naomi finds herself at an emotional crossroads when an old flame from St Barnabas makes a surprising appearance on the island, while Darlene becomes a mentor when a new officer joins the ranks, but is left questioning whether she’s the right person for the job".

Death in Paradise season 14 trailer: Is it available to watch?

Yes – you can watch it right now.

Enjoy it below.

Death in Paradise season 14 arrives on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on Friday 31st January 2025.

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