Meet the cast of Death in Paradise series 8
Everything you need to know about all the main characters and guest stars for series 8 of the Caribbean crime drama
Episode two guest stars
Jonathan Kerrigan plays Xander Shepherd
Who is Xander Shepherd? The boss of Saint Marie Zoo. He inherited the family business from his father, who founded the zoo on the island.
What else has Jonathan Kerrigan been in? The actor has starred in The Five, Heartbeat, Diana, In The Club, and Stan Lee's Lucky Man. He is also married to his Death in Paradise co-star and on-screen wife, Shelley Conn...
Shelley Conn plays Marina Shepherd
Who is Marina Shepherd? Xander's heavily-pregnant wife. She also works at the zoo and is an animal psychologist.
What else has Shelley Conn been in? Like Jonathan Kerrigan, Shelley starred in the TV series Heartbeat. She recently had a key role in ITV's Liar as DI Vanessa Harmon, and has appeared shows including Terra Nova, Heading Out, By Any Means, The Lottery, and Strike Back. Conn played Princess Pondichery in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Blake Harrison plays Theo Roberts
Who is Theo Roberts? Theo is the only employee of Saint Marie zoo who isn't actually part of the Shepherd family.
What else has Blake Harrison been in? Best known for playing Neil Sutherland in The Inbetweeners and in the spin-off movies, Blake Harrison has recently appeared in the Hugh Grant TV series A Very English Scandal as inept assassin Andrew Newton, and in Jodie Whittaker thriller Trust Me as her estranged boyfriend Karl. Other credits include The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Prime Suspect 1973, and Bob the Builder – for which he is the voice of Scoop.
Charlotte Ritchie plays Iris Shepherd
Who is Iris Shepherd? Xander's younger sister, and the zoo's herpetologist – ie she hangs out with the amphibians and reptiles, and has a particular affinity for snakes. Iris also has a taste for all things designer and expensive.
What else has Charlotte Ritchie been in? You're most likely to remember her as Nurse Barbara Hereward from Call the Midwife, or perhaps as posh Oregon from Fresh Meat. Recently she joined Doctor Who for the New Year's episode Resolution, where she played Lin.
Jonas Armstrong plays Dylan Shepherd
Who is Dylan Shepherd? Xander's brother. He grew up at the zoo and is deeply attached to the family business. Dylan's specialty is primates.
What else has Jonas Armstrong been in? The actor starred in BBC drama Robin Hood. Since the show ended a decade ago, he has appeared in Prisoners Wives, Hit & Miss, Walking with the Enemy, Line of Duty and Dark Angel. He played the role of Nathaniel in Ripper Street, and Menelaus in Troy: Fall of a City.
Sule Rimi plays Emil Delacroix
Who is Emil Delacroix? That would be telling...
What else has Sule Rimi been in? You may have seen Sule Rimi in Black Earth Rising, where he played Dr Busasa. His credits also include Strike Back, Unforgotten, DNN: Definitely Not Newsround, and Stella.
Episode one guest stars
Andrew Tiernan plays Paul Raynor
Who is Paul Raynor? Our first murder victim of the series arrives on Saint Marie by ferry and catches the Honoré Express alongside three other passengers. By the end of the journey, he has been stabbed to death. But who did it?
What else has Andrew Tiernan been in? Recent roles have included Roger Lane in Safe House and Nigel Stafford in Marcella. He has also appeared as Purcell in the Matt Smith-era Doctor Who episode Night Terrors.
Chizzy Akudolu plays Butterfly Brown
Who is Butterfly Brown? The bus driver. A larger-than-life character, she holds her own against her boss – and against any complaints from the passengers.
What else has Chizzy Akudolu been in? The soap star plays Mo Effanga in Holby City. She also competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, and has since popped up as a presenter on Loose Women and Good Morning Britain.
Robert James-Collier plays Oliver Cole
Who is Oliver Cole? One of the four passengers who boards the bus to Honoré, and one of the three passengers still to step off the bus alive at the end of the journey. He appears to have some business on the island.
What else has Robert James-Collier been in? The actor played Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey and will soon appear in the Downton movie. One of his first big gigs was Coronation Street, where he played Liam Connor.
Rebecca Front plays Fiona Tipton
Who is Fiona Tipton? One of the four passengers who boards the bus to Honoré. Like the others, she claims not to have seen or heard anything.
What else has Rebecca Front been in? The Bafta-winning actress and comedian starred as Nicola Murray MP in The Thick of It alongside a foul-mouthed Peter Capaldi. She is also known for playing Lady Whitworth in Poldark and for roles in War & Peace, Doctor Thorne, Humans, Lewis, Up the Women, and Nighty Night.
Diveen Henry plays Tamila Brooks
Who is Tamila Brooks? One of the four passengers who boards the bus to Honoré. She is a local woman returning from a trip.
What else has Diveen Henry been in? The actress played Sally Lewis in The Dumping Ground. She's also been in No Offence, Cradle to Grave, and Apple Tree Yard.
Ewen Cummins plays Harold Crane
Who is Harold Crane? Butterfly's boss, and the owner of this transport company.
What else has Ewen Cummins been in? TV credits include Vera, Hamlet, Rockface, and The Bill.
