Everything you need to know about the Death In Paradise Christmas special!
Some famous faces arrive on the island in the Boxing Day episode, as Neville’s mum comes to visit…
Detective Inspector Neville Parker (Ralf Little) and the rest of the Death In Paradise cast are set to be joined by some familiar faces in this year’s Death In Paradise Christmas special, as we get to meet Neville’s extrovert mum, Melanie!
She’s played by Doon Mackichan, one of the team behind the iconic comedy Smack The Pony, and more recently appearing as Cathy in Two Doors Down.
Melanie pays a visit to the Caribbean crime island of Saint Marie to sort out her son’s love life. Neville has been feeling down in the dumps ever since he was betrayed by bitter Sophie, who had been secretly plotting against him. Melanie soon befriends bar owner Catherine Bordey (played by Elizabeth Bourgine), as the two women set the island alight with their partying!
Meanwhile Neville tries to track down a killer who’s on the loose…
The star-studded feature-length festive episode also has guest roles for Patsy Kensit (EastEnders), Bronagh Waugh (Ridley), Youseff Kerkour (House Of Gucci), Geoff Bell (The Curse), Freddy Carter (Shadow And Bone), Amelia Clarkson (The Last Kingdom) and Leila Khan (Heartstopper).
The mystery begins when the team investigates the death of an entrepreneur Gerry Stableforth (Geoff Bell), who is found lying at the bottom of a ravine. With his dying breath, Gerry utters the cryptic words, ‘It’s behind you’.
Could his wife Bella (Patsy Kensit) be behind the tragedy? And how are Geoff’s children Benjamin (Freddy Carter) and Mariana (Amelia Clarkson), and niece Riley (Leila Khan) involved? But while Neville and the team try to work out if Gerry’s death was an accident or murder, there’s yet another conundrum to solve.
Having flown to Saint Marie to spend time with Geoff and his family, digital marketing guru Debbie Clumson (Bronagh Waugh) goes missing, not long after the mysterious death. As Debbie’s partner Dave (Youseff Kerkour) arrives on the island to search for her, Neville and his officers must work out how all of these confusing events connect up.
This year’s Christmas special, which will air on Boxing Day at 9pm, is the third for the Death In Paradise team. Last year’s episode proved to be one of the highlights of the festive season for BBC1 with a huge 8 million viewers. The BBC will be hoping that this year’s episode is just as big a hit.
As ever, all of the regular Death In Paradise faces will be making an appearance in the special, including Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, Shantol Jackson as Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas, Tahj Miles as Officer Marlon Pryce and Ginny Holder as Trainee Officer Darlene Curtis. Will they be able to help Neville solve the mystery?
Meanwhile, there is also a special episode of spin-off Beyond Paradise for fans to enjoy, with Kris Marshall returning as Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman on Christmas Eve.
Season 13 of Death In Paradise is set to begin on BBC1 in early 2024.
What’s on TV this Christmas?
Death In Paradise and Beyond Paradise are just two of many fantastic programmes appearing on the BBC over the festive period. Elsewhere, the new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, is also set to make his full debut in Doctor Who, materialising on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, Ghosts reaches its big finale, while Strictly Come Dancing and Call The Midwife also present their own special episodes. Check out our guide, The 12 best shows of Christmas 2023, as we present our dozen must-see programmes!
How many episodes are in season 12 of Death In Paradise?
There were eight episodes in the most recent series, which aired back in January 2023. And you can still check out all of those gripping mysteries on BBC iPlayer!
What day is Death In Paradise on in 2023?
It’s yet to be announced exactly when Death In Paradise will return for series 13, but if past form is anything to go by, we’ll get to see it in the early part of 2024, probably back on Thursday evenings. We can’t wait!