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.
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