Ralf Little replaces Ardal O’Hanlon as lead actor in BBC 1 drama Death in Paradise
RALF Little has been cast in the lead role of BBC1 crime drama, Death in Paradise.
The Royle Family star will take over from Ardal O’Hanlon as the detective solving murders on the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe.
Ralf, 39, will arrive in series ten, but previously appeared in series two of the show, in 2013 as another character.
The actor shot to fame playing teenager Anthony on The Royle Family opposite Caroline Aherne, who died in 2016 aged 52, and Ricky Tomlinson, 80. They played his sister and dad respectively.
He went on to enjoy similar success in BBC2 sitcom, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, which helped launch the career of Sheridan Smith, 38.
An image of the back of Ralf’s head sitting on a beach hammock was teased by the Beeb in a photograph posted on social media.
It included the message: “Here’s a sneak peek of the new D.I taking over from Ardal O’Hanlon to unravel the island’s murder mysteries. Who do you think will be playing him? Answers on a postcard, please!”
A photo of Ralf in Guadeloupe was also posted on Twitter by a holidaymaker on the island who bumped into the actor and fellow Death in Paradise cast member, Don Warrington, during filming.
Ardal, 54, will play the island’s Detective Inspector Jack Mooney for the last time in series nine which airs next year.
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The crime-solving role has previously been played by Ben Miller, 53, from 2011 to 2014, and Kris Marshall, 46, from 2014 to 2017.
Death in Paradise, which first aired in 2011, remains one of the BBC’s most popular dramas, regularly attracting between five million and six million viewers.