DEATH in Paradise is expanding once again with another spin-off series related to the BBC crime drama.
The show debuted in 2011 with Ben Miller starring as the initial detective inspector, Richard Poole.
Ben, best known for his work alongside Alexander Armstrong in Armstrong and Miller, exited the show at the beginning of series three.
In the years since, the likes of Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon and Ralf Little have taken over as the lead policeman on fictional Saint Marie.
Former EastEnders star Don Gilet, who played villain Lucas Johnson, was recently confirmed as the show’s next lead star.
Meanwhile, from 2023 onwards viewers have been able to revisit popular DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) in the first spin-off, Beyond Paradise.
The BBC drama follows Humphrey and his fiancee Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) as they navigate living in Martha’s hometown, Shipton Abbott while Humphrey joins the local police force.
It now appears a second spin-off is in the works – although not in the way that fans might expect.
An upcoming factual series will explore the lives of real police officers working in the Caribbean.
A source told The Mirror that filming had already started, with the series believed to be called Policing Paradise: “It’ll look at what the real life police get up to as opposed to the fictional ones in Death in Paradise – and there’s quite a difference.”
They added: “Viewers who are used to the crime being solved every week might find that reality is not quite so neat.
“Just like the show’s plots, there is a lot of murder but unlike them far fewer murders are actually solved – and certainly not within a few days.
“There aren’t as many love stories either! Real life is a bit more gritty.”
The documentary is created by royal specialist TV company Spun Gold and is tipped to have a daytime slot.
New Death in Paradise leading man Don Gilet will play Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, who isn’t pleased with his surroundings when he arrives on Saint Marie from London.
Discussing his new role, the former soap star said: “Being offered the new lead role in Death in Paradise feels like a deeply loved and incredibly precious jewel has been placed in my hands.
Timeline of Death In Paradise Detectives
Death In Paradise started in 2011 and has welcomed four detectives so far to the island.
These are all of the actors who have played the lead detective in the hit BBC series so far:
Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole – Actor Ben played the first ever detective from seasons 1 to 2, and then returned as a guest star in the third and tenth series.
Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman. Next up My Family star took on the role for three years from series 3 to 6.
Ardal O’Hanlon as DI Jack Mooney. Father Ted star Ardal was a fan favourite and was the detective for three seasons from series 6 to 9.
Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker. The actor started in 2019 and is the longest-running star to have the detective role. He was on the show for four seasons from 9 to 13.
“This is a big show, with a big heart and the love continually grows for it.
“It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated.”
Don added: “Even during those testing times when every sinew is screaming at me to run off the set and dive into the sea, swimmingpool or an ice-cold beer – whichever happens to be closer at the time!”
Death in Paradise is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.