A DEATH In Paradise writer has sparked rumours a Friends actor is replacing Ralf Little as fans desperately try and work out the next detective’s identity.
A long list of TV and film stars are in the frame to be the new series of the BBC‘s wildly popular murder mystery franchise.
Outgoing star Ralf Little confirmed his exit as lead character DI Neville Parker in a statement earlier this month.
Fans were devastated but soon resigned themselves to the change and have tried sleuthing to figure out who’s next.
Some think writer James Hall, who penned Little’s final episode, has dropped a clue.
They noticed he recently started following US actor Michael Rapaport, who is a familiar face to fans of Friends, Prison Break and My Name Is Earl on social media.
The 54-year-old played Phoebe Buffay’s police officer boyfriend Gary in 1999’s season five.
The pair had a highly charged sexual relationship that came to a sudden end when Gary angrily reacted to chirping birds just one day after the couple moved in together.
And he has more experience in an authoritative role as Homeland Security agent Don Self in Prison Break.
His untrustworthy, law-breaking character met a grisly end after he was injected with a debilitating serum that left him in a vegetative state – the same condition as his wife, who was severely injured in a drunk-driving incident that Self was responsible for.
Yesterday it was revealed a Harry Potter star has been tipped for the Death in Paradise role by bookies.
Rupert Grint – best known for playing Ron Weasley – is top of the odds for the next series.
Bookies Coral told us he is placed with 6-4 odds, with the figures slashed from an initial 6-1.
Coral’s John Hill told us: “Rupert Grint is proving very popular in our next Death In Paradise lead detective betting.
“The actor’s odds have been slashed from 6-1 to 6-4, and he now tops the betting to replace Ralf Little.”
TAX-ING MATTERS
The potential new gig could come after we reported how Rupert faced a £86K tax bill last year.
It came amid a row due to his plans to create his own Hogsmeade-style village on the land of his £5million Hertfordshire property.
The Hollywood star has a reported £42 million fortune and a massive property portfolio.
CLUNES CLUES
While Rupert might be topping the charts for Coral, Martin Clunes is also a hot favourite.
Betting shop Betfred is tipping Doc Martin’s leading star Martin Clunes, 62. as a hot contender to bag the job with odds of 6/1.
Betfred’s Kayley Cornelius said: “While Simon Bird still remains the firm favourite to replace Ralf Little, we could expect to see his 3/1 odds shorten in the coming weeks after a new fan favourite, Martin Clunes, has emerged.
“As the Doc Martin star continues to be heavily backed by punters to be the next DI Neville Parker, we have witnessed him skyrocket in the betting markets and he now sits as a close second favourite with 6/1 odds.
“With these odds expected to change in Clunes’ favour, it’s likely only a matter of time before he becomes the new frontrunner.”
Martin could have a slot in his diary free after his role on the much-loved show Doc Martin came to an end in 2022, after 18 years on the box.
ALL CHANGE
Ralf recently announced his Death In Paradise departure – much to the dismay of fans.
In a statement, he said: “My time on Saint Marie has come to an end – what an end!
“New adventures await Neville, and he got to sail away into the sunset with his best friend. Who knows what happens for them next!
“I want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who watched and supported the show when I arrived four and a half years ago.”
He added: “I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s been the ride of a lifetime.”
He was announced as the show’s leading man in 2019.
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.
