Death in Paradise begins filming. Photo courtesy: BBC, Red Planet Pictures

Normally the line forms to the left for those interested in a guest role on Death in Paradise with most in line hoping they’re witnesses and not the victim or ‘person of interest’ with the over/under usually set at around 7.

Recent news out of the DIP camp reveals this year will be no different with the news of a pretty high profile, Oscar-winning actress appearing on the picturesque yet fictional island of Saint Marie when the series returns with a Christmas special leading up to the series premiere in early 2024. As Hello Magazine points out in true Sherlock Holmes fashion, while this years’ line-up of guest stars hasn’t officially been announced, it is always a good idea to check where people are vacationing.

Hayley Mills posted with Ralf Little for Death in Paradise. Photo courtesy: BBC

Oscar-winning actress Hayley Mills recently revealed that she had enjoyed a trip to Guadeloupe and cryticly including #deathinparadise and adding, “In Paradise with @ralf.little who is very nice and an ex footballer!” Mills starred in the original Parent Trap as Susan and Sharon, as well as Whistle Down the Wind, Tiger Bay and Pollyanna.

Mills recently chatted about her career, telling Time and Leisure: “I think being given a part in anything is a gift. Investigating another human being, you are becoming another person for a while and leading a different life. I always loved that as a child. Acting is playing games; it is an extension of our childhoods. I love acting!”

For series 13, Ralf Little continues as DI Neville Parker along with a revolving door of recognizable faces who, once again, will be booking a holiday on Saint Marie, either round-trip or one-way.

Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker in Death in Paradise. Photo courtesy: BBC, Red Planet Pictures, Denis Guyenon

While filming for series 13 of Death in Paradise is currently underway, little is known about what the surprisingly deadly island of Saint Marie has in store for unsuspecting vacationers. Ralf Little did share a bit on what fans can expect from season 13 in an Instagram Q&A, explaining: “Obviously I can’t give you any spoilers and tell you what’s going on but everyone wants Neville to have a successful girlfriend, especially me, so fingers crossed it works out for him in season 13.” Let’s hope so in the aftermath of Neville’s shock after being framed for a murder by his girlfriend Sophie, who turns out to be out for revenge after he was involved in her sister’s incarceration in S12.

Little also opened up about his favorite thing to do on the show, saying: “I enjoy stunts! I’m always trying to persuade people to let me do my own stunts and they never do, because insurance is a pain… Because I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, I love to do it.”

Given Death in Paradise has transmitted in the UK in January every year since series 2, it’s probably a safe bet that series 13 will see the light of day in early 2024 with a U.S. public television broadcast not long after. On th upside, Death in Paradise has already been renewed for a 14th series so we can all anticipate more guest stars and more ‘death in paradise’ into 2025!