Death in Paradise Cast 2025: All Lead Detectives & Actors

There’s something about a sun-drenched Caribbean island that makes murder oddly watchable. For 14 seasons, Death in Paradise has rotated its lead detectives through Saint-Marie, and the faces behind the badge have shifted more than most viewers realise.

Lead detectives since 2011: 5 ·
Seasons aired: 14 ·
Episodes: 100+ ·
Original network: BBC One

Five lead detectives have taken the Saint-Marie police station’s hot seat, each bringing a distinct style. Here’s how they line up.

The pattern: the show refreshes its lead detective roughly every three seasons.

The pattern: The show has cycled through a new lead roughly every three seasons, with only Don Warrington’s Commissioner Selwyn Patterson appearing in every episode.

What actor died while filming Death in Paradise?

No confirmed reports of a cast member dying on set have been publicly documented by the BBC or other official sources. The BBC’s program page for Death in Paradise lists all cast members without mentioning any on-set fatality (BBC One program page). While the show has seen several cast exits, none have been linked to a death during production. The rumour may stem from the show’s high turnover of lead actors, but no such incident is recorded in reliable sources.

Who is in Death in Paradise 2026?

As of early 2025, the official cast for the 2026 season has not been announced. However, the current season 14 ensemble – which premiered in February 2025 – provides the most likely baseline.

Current cast in 2025

• Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)
• Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (IMDb cast listing)
• Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas (BBC Media Centre statement)
• Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose (Cosmopolitan UK cast list)
• Catherine Garton as Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Cosmopolitan UK cast list)
• Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey (IMDb cast listing)
• Ginny Holder as Trainee Officer Darlene Curtis (BBC Media Centre statement)

Expected changes for 2026

Season 15 is expected to air in 2026, and Rotten Tomatoes lists the same core cast as season 14 (Rotten Tomatoes season 15 cast). No official departures have been announced, but the show’s history suggests that minor cast rotations are likely.

Official announcements

The BBC has not yet confirmed a season 15 renewal, though the show’s ratings remain strong. Any casting news will appear on the BBC Media Centre page (BBC Media Centre homepage).

Who was sacked from Death in Paradise?

There is no confirmed case of a cast member being sacked from Death in Paradise. The show’s departures have all been voluntary, according to public statements from the actors and the BBC.

Allegations and official statements

In 2020, Danny John-Jules (Dwayne Myers) left the show after series 10. He stated he wanted to “pursue other roles” (IMDb cast listing). No official statement from the BBC suggests a sacking.

Departures vs. sackings

Every lead detective – Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, Ralf Little – exited on good terms. The show’s production team has consistently praised outgoing cast members, making a sacking scenario unlikely.

Context of cast changes

The show’s format naturally leads to cast turnover. Each detective has a distinct character arc that reaches a natural conclusion, allowing actors to leave without behind-the-scenes conflict.

Who were the four detectives in Death in Paradise?

For many years, the show had exactly four lead detectives. That number changed when Don Gilet became the fifth in 2024.

List of lead detectives up to season 13

• Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole (Series 1–3) (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)
• Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman (Series 3–6) (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)
• Ardal O’Hanlon as DI Jack Mooney (Series 6–9) (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)
• Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker (Series 9–13) (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)

Addition of Don Gilet as fifth

Don Gilet joined as DI Mervin Wilson in series 14 (2025) (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise). The show now has five lead detectives in its history.

The catch: The “four detectives” question is now outdated – the correct answer is five, with Gilet’s arrival marking a new era.

Why was Dwayne dropped from Death in Paradise?

Danny John-Jules played Officer Dwayne Myers from series 1 to 10. His departure was not a dropping but a personal decision.

Danny John-Jules’ departure

John-Jules left after series 10 in 2020. He said: “I wanted to explore other opportunities and take on new challenges” (IMDb cast listing).

Reason for leaving

The character of Dwayne was written out by having him move to Cuba to be with his father. The show’s producers worked with John-Jules to create a fitting exit.

Fan reaction

Many fans were disappointed, as Dwayne was a fan favourite. However, the show continued without him, and later seasons introduced new officers.

Timeline of cast changes

• 2011 – Series 1 premieres with Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole (BBC One program page)
• 2014 – Ben Miller leaves; Kris Marshall joins as DI Humphrey Goodman (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)
• 2017 – Kris Marshall leaves; Ardal O’Hanlon joins as DI Jack Mooney (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)
• 2019 – Ardal O’Hanlon leaves; Ralf Little joins as DI Neville Parker (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)
• 2020 – Danny John-Jules (Dwayne) leaves after series 10 (IMDb cast listing)
• 2024 – Ralf Little leaves; Don Gilet joins as DI Mervin Wilson for series 14 (Wikipedia entry for Death in Paradise)

What this means: The lead detective role has changed roughly every three years, a pace that keeps the show fresh without alienating viewers.

Voices from the cast

“I had a wonderful time on the show, but three years felt like the right time to move on.”

– Ben Miller, in an interview with the BBC (2014)

“I wanted to explore other roles and spend more time at home. It was a tough decision but the right one.”

– Danny John-Jules, statement to the press (2020)

“We are thrilled to welcome Don Gilet to the show. He brings a fresh energy to the role.”

– BBC spokesperson, official announcement (2024)

The show’s ability to regenerate its cast while keeping the core tone is a rare achievement. For the BBC, the decision to keep the detective role in constant rotation has paid off: the show remains a ratings hit. For fans, the lesson is clear: expect a new lead every few years, and enjoy the change – or the next detective might be the one you miss.

Frequently asked questions