Photo: courtesy: BBC/Red Planet Pictures

Following the most recent spin-off, Beyond Paradise, starring Kris Marshall, the Death in Paradise Universe keeps growing with the recent announcement that a new spin-off, Return to Paradise is on the horizon. The Australian horizon to be exact.

The new series will be set in the idyllic, beachside hamlet of Dolphin Cove and follow Australian ex-pat Mackenzie Clarke, who has built up a reputation for being able to solve the most impossible cases while working for the Metropolitan Police in London.

According to the producers, Red Planet Pictures, the storyline reveals and follows what could easily be described as a ‘hate-hate’ relationship between Clarke and Dolphin Cove. “Having escaped her hometown at the earliest opportunity six years ago, Mack vowed she’d never come back, leaving a lot of unfinished business and unanswered questions. On her return, she’s still no fan of the town, and the people of Dolphin Cove are certainly no fans of hers. In fact, everyone would prefer her not to be there, including Mackenzie herself.

“But when a murder takes place in Dolphin Cove, Mack can’t help but put her inspired detective brilliance to good use and determines, despite her reservations, that she needs to make the best of it, including tying up the loose ends with the man she left at the altar six years ago.”

The addition of Return to Paradise seems like a no-brainer given that the Kris Marshall-led Beyond Paradise has become the UK’s most watched new drama of the year so far.

Photo courtesy: BBC/Red Planet Pictures

The six-part series from Red Planet Pictures will begin filming next year with casting and a target transmission date on the BBC ‘to be announced’.