Return to Paradise: Release date and latest news for Death in Paradise spin-off

Speaking about the importance of differentiating it from the original series, co-creator James Hall said: "For me, and Red Planet Pictures, we knew very early on that we didn’t want the Australia spin-off to look and feel like a copy of Death in Paradise, in which our fish-out-of-water detective is another English police officer who finds themselves unexpectedly working abroad.

"That’s why we very quickly alighted upon the idea of the detective being someone who was born and raised in Australia and was returning there after a period away. And that’s when we knew straight away that it had to be called Return to Paradise."

He continued: "But it’s the fact that DI Mackenzie Clarke never really liked Dolphin Cove or felt at home there means she is still a fish-out-of-water, like all our detectives in Death in Paradise, even though she’s from that town.

"Plus, the way in which she left Dolphin Cove a number of years ago, means there’s a lot of people in town who aren’t happy she’s back.

"So, even though our lead detective is Australian and is essentially just going home, she’s essentially still just like Richard Poole in the first series of Death in Paradise, because she’s forced to solve murders in a place she desperately wants to leave."

Read on for everything you need to know about Return to Paradise, including who is confirmed to star alongside Anna Samson and when you can watch it.

Return to Paradise release date: When will it air?

Return to Paradise will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Friday 22nd November at 8pm.

The series will consist of six episodes, airing weekly.

Return to Paradise cast: Who's stars in the Death in Paradise spin-off?

The confirmed cast list for Return to Paradise is as follows:

• Anna Samson as DI Mackenzie Clarke
• Tai Hara as Glenn
• Lloyd Griffith
• Catherine McClements
• Celia Ireland
• Andrea Demetriades
• Aaron McGrath

It wouldn't quite be a Death in Paradise series without a lead detective thrust into a sunnier climate slightly against their will now, would it?

Well, the new series marks the first female lead detective for the 'Paraverse', with Anna Samson leading the cast as DI Mackenzie Clarke. Samson is joined by Tai Hara (Home and Away) as Mackenzie's ex-fiancée Glenn, who Mackenzie awkwardly left at the altar.

The rest of the cast includes Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso), Catherine McClements (Total Control), Celia Ireland (Wentworth), Andrea Demetriades (Mother and Son) and Aaron McGrath (Gold Diggers).

Of course, there will be plenty of guest stars to look forward to, we're sure, as Mackenzie gets under way with investigating crimes in Dolphin Cove.

Who is Anna Samson? Actress who plays DI Clarke in Return to Paradise

Samson is leading the cast as DI Mackenzie Clarke, but the UK-born Australian actress is best known for her role in Home and Away as Mia Anderson.

She is also known for her roles in Australian crime thriller series Dead Lucky, as well as Australian miniseries Wake in Fright. She has also starred in Hunters and Jack Irish.

Speaking to Radio Times magazine about leading the series as DI Mackenzie Clarke, Samson said: "There’s a pressure and a joy.

"I’m taking up the mantle from very beloved male British actors. I’m different to that – I can’t emulate what they did, I can’t copy or mimic them. I bring me to the show.

"Thinking about being the first female detective and the size and success of the franchise between 'action' and 'cut' is not helpful. You have to put it to the side and play the scene."

She continued: "I actually think that being a female detective doesn’t change the DNA of the show. Not at all. It’s a significant cultural move; setting it in Australia changes it more than having a female lead.

"I have a great amount of pride – and I’m as pleased as punch to be playing Mackenzie."

Return to Paradise plot: What's it about?

Like Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise, we can expect Return to Paradise to take us on quite the criminal ride as we follow the inhabitants of Dolphin Cove and the crimes that happen in the area.

Not only that, but we can expect to get some serious insight into Mackenzie's life and her hometown as she's forced to confront her past while investigating some cases at the local police station.

According to the synopsis: "Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson), an Australian ex-pat who’s made a name for herself in London’s Metropolitan Police for cracking uncrackable murder cases. When she is accused of tampering with evidence, Mackenzie returns to Australia, back to the last place she ever wanted to be – her hometown of Dolphin Cove.

"Having fled the town six years ago, infamously leaving her ex- fiancée Glenn (Tai Hara) at the altar, Mackenzie is not welcome here.

"But with no other job options, and a unique talent for solving a mystery, no matter how challenging, a reluctant Mack joins the team at Dolphin Cove Police Station."

It continues: "Once a case lands on her desk, she can’t rest until she’s figured it out, and the killer is in handcuffs. It’s that tenacity and work ethic that might just, over time, help Mackenzie win over her new colleagues, and the people of Dolphin Cove."

Return to Paradise trailer: When can I watch it?

You can watch the official trailer right now.

Enjoy it below.

Return to Paradise will air on BBC One and iPlayer.

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