Ben Miller votes himself off the island for new season of Death in Paradise


Even paradise can be hell

For two series of BBC One’s Death in Paradise, Ben Miller (Worst Week of My Life, Primeval) was in heaven. Unfortunately, DI Richard Poole, the character that Miller portrays, is in hell. ‘Heaven’ for Miller because the series is filmed on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. “Hell’ for DI Poole because he is trapped on the stunning beautiful but fictional Caribbean island paradise of Saint-Marie battling sun, sea and sand while solving murders and just trying to find a proper British cup of tea.
 

For UK viewers on BBC One, principal production filming begins on series three this month with both new and returning faces. As with series two, which saw guest stars the likes of Lucy Davis (Dawn Tinsley, The Office, Mathew Horne (Gavin from Gavin and Stacey, James Fleet (Vicar of Dibley) and Primeval star Hannah Spearritt, series three will see a number of familiar guest stars visiting the island. Out, sadly, is Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole. Miller said of his departure: “I have absolutely loved my time on Death in Paradise and am sad to be leaving such a successful show, however DI Poole has made no secret of his struggle with the Caribbean heat, so I felt now was a good time to put him out of his misery!“.

In, however, and replacing Miller will be Kris Marshall (My Family, Love Actually, Citizen Khan) starring as DI Humphrey Goodman. Described as bright, but rather disorganised and gawky, Goodman is stuck in a mid-life rut and is looking to find a new life and fresh start. Returning will be Sara Martins (DS Camille Bordey), Danny John-Jules (police chief, Dwayne Myers), Gary Carr (young investigator, Fidel Best) and Don Warrington (police commissioner. Selwyn Patterson).

Belinda Campbell, EP for Red Planet Pictures, had high praise for both the outgoing and incoming DI’s: “Ben Miller is an excellent actor and has played the part of DI Richard Poole magnificently for two series, and we’re very sad to be saying goodbye. However we’re thrilled to be welcoming Kris Marshall on board who we know will be brilliant in the role of Humphrey. He will bring with him disheveled charm, sparkle, quick wit, and a razor-sharp intelligence in solving crimes.

Series one and two have attracted sizable audience figures in the UK. Sizable enough to warrant the commissioning of a third series. In the U.S., a number of public television stations have begun running the series with more set to come on in the not-too-distant future. Check it out if you haven’t yet. Well worth your time.


In: Comedy,Mystery

  • juandos

    Well replacing Miller with a loser punk like Marshall probably means that season 3 is the final season.

    • Peter Craney

      Ben Miller is the glue that makes this series. It wont be the same chemistry. Dont think I will watch as I really liked this gem but now it is finished. Wished they would change Millers mind on his departure.

      • stewartinoz

        You hit the nail on the head. Just about as bad as replacing Carol Drinkwater in ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ only many times worse. Doesn’t the BBC realize that these great sort of shows are built round and attract a core audience based on Stable Characters. ‘Dr Who’ would be an exception and I can’t think of any others. Even ‘Doctor Findlay’s Casebook’ pales along side the original in Black and White on a Sunday evening, when I was young and the world held so much promise.

        • atomheartsmother

          I’m not sure you can heap all the blame on the BBC – if a main character pulls out it must be a dilemma about what to do. Personally I was pleased to see the series back, but saddened to learn that Ben was not going to continue. I’m prepared to keep an open mind for the upcoming series!

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  • Elizabeth

    Here in the US, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed Ben Miller …on this series as well as on Doc Martin…he is a talented actor..we will miss him!

  • lorraine curran

    I hope that death in paradise continues–I love it in boston–all the players are excellent-ben miller was rather a spoiled brat when discussing his departure-but that is the character that he played–I won’t ever watch him again-I didn’t like the murder end of his character-I believe that an actor has a due to his fans to treat them as well as he is grateful for the success that they give him or her.

  • Angel Moreno

    What a HORRIBLE IDEA!!!! I hate the new guy, and thought Poole was having bad dream where he was killed and they solved his case then he would wake up. But no the stupid writers should be forced to have their favorites killed off.