Death in Paradise icon admits shock axing in new series was a ‘bolt from the blue’
A DEATH in Paradise icon admits that his shock axing in the new series was a ‘bolt from the blue’.
Former EastEnders star Don Gilet who plays the role of Mervin Wilson, has ruffled some feathers on the tropical island.
Mervin is brusque and straight talking and his character is completely different to Ralf Little's soft spoken and gentle Neville Parker.
His colleagues had enough to contend with when Neville drove off into the sunset and they didn't think Mervin was a good enough replacement.
But more turmoil is heading towards the Honore Police Station.
The fourteenth season of Death In Paradise begins with a shocking revelation for Commissioner Selwyn when he finds out his position is due to be abolished, reports the
Death in Paradise
Don Warrington, who has played the Commissioner since the show's debut season revealed his character's feelings following the shocking news.
The actor said: "He's shocked. It's not what he expected. It comes as a bolt from the blue.
"He has to deal with a situation that he hadn't expected, and it's making a big change in his life, in his status. He has to work through a crisis, really."
This unexpected twist will affect everyone on the small island community of Saint-Marie.
However, Mayor Catherine Bordey might possibly become his saviour as Elizabeth Bourgine hints at her on-screen character's role.
She commented: "She will be, even with Selwyn, helpful as a mayor and as a friend.
"Because she can have the mayor power and do things. And as a friend, she can be very nice, tender, warm or angry.
"So we can see Catherine in very different ways in this series, and even with Darlene Curtis (played by Ginny Holder), we have a nice moment."
But how will Catherine intervene in Selwyn's predicament and can her bond with him truly free him from disaster?
Following the recently cracked case of ‘who shot the Santas?’, along with the revelation that his estranged mother has passed away, Mervin is ready to get back home and leave the island for good.
Most memorable Death in Paradise episodes
By Conor O'Brien
- Arriving in Paradise: The show's very first episode, introducing Ben Miller as the straight-laced DI Richard Poole. This episode also introduces Poole's team and the fictional island location location of Saint Marie.
- Amongst Us: The eighth episode of series one sees Richard uncover a major secret about Aidan (Adrian Dunbar), who has been dating Catherine (Elizabeth Bourgine). Far from his Line of Duty character Ted Hastings, Aidan is revealed to be a murderer.
- Death of a Detective: The first episode of series three marks a major turning point for Death in Paradise. DI Poole is killed off - with his murder being the first case for replacement DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall). This mirrors two years earlier, when Poole solved his predecessor's murder.
- Stab in the Dark: This instalment, the first episode of series four, proved memorable for two reasons. It marked the introduction of Florence Cassell (Josephine Jobert) who became a long-running character. Meanwhile, Don Gilet guest-starred as the killer - almost a decade before becoming the show's latest DI.
- Swimming in Murder: Similarly to above, this episode marks the first appearance of JP Hooper (Tobi Bakare), who starred for seven series.
- Man Overboard (Part One and Two): This two-parter in series six had a lot of different elements involved. Some of the team travelled to London, DI Goodman exited the show - while newcomer DI Jack Mooney (Ardal O'Hanlon) made his first appearance.
- Switcharoo: Airing as the fifth episode of series nine, this was the first intalment following DI Mooney's departure. In his place came DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) - who became the show's longest-serving DI.
- Sins of the Detective: The latter half of a two-parter in series 12, which saw Neville in the frame for murdering smarmy criminologist David Cartwright. Although the team eventually uncover the actual murder, it comes with a big shock.
- A Murder in the Skies: The finale of series 13 marked Neville's exit from Saint Marie. The unlucky-in-love detective got a happy ending by sailing into the sunset with love interest Florence Cassell - who'd returned a few episodes earlier.
But when a case close to the hearts of those at the station presents itself, is he tempted to extend his stay?
Coronation Street's Bhavna Limbachia who played Rana Habeeb in the long running soap is one of this season's guest stars.
Rana was introduced as a love interest for Zeedan Nazir (Qasim Akhtar) and an old friend of his sister Alya (Sair Khan).
She was also the soap's first Muslim lesbian character and her partnership with Faye Brookes, who played her lover Kate Connor has been highlighted amongst fans and the community.
Bhavna played the role for three years until it was announced in 2019 that Rana would be killed off after the actress quit the role.
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She currently stars as Meena in the comedy drama Brassic but is it still unknown as to what role she will take in Death in Paradise.
Death in Paradise returns to BBC and BBCIplayer at 9pm on January 31.