The new series of Death in Paradise has a line-up of guest stars as glittering as the Caribbean Sea. Episode by episode, here’s who we will meet in each murder case – and where you’ve seen the actors before.
- Meet the cast of Death in Paradise
- Death in Paradise reveals full list of series seven guest stars – with actors from Car Share, Poldark, Game of Thrones and Doctor Who
- Officer Dwayne Myers is leaving Death in Paradise
Episode eight
After a reggae reunion concert in Honoré, guitarist Billy is found dead in his dressing room, having apparently shot himself in the head. But DI Jack Mooney and the Commissioner are not convinced this is a suicide: is the death connected to the unsolved murder of Billy’s wife?
Billy Springer – Levi Roots
Who does he play? Billy Springer is the guitarist for local reggae band Leon and the Ragers, who are playing their first reunion gig in 30 years. Back in the heyday of the band, his wife was murdered – but much to the frustration of the Commissioner and Billy himself, the killer was never caught. Now, after placing a call to the Commissioner saying he knows the identity of the killer, Billy is found dead in his dressing room.
Where have I seen him before? It’s only Levi Roots, off Dragons’ Den! An actual reggae musician who was a friend of Bob Marley’s, performed for Nelson Mandela, and won a MOBO award, Levi Roots was the perfect person to play a reggae musician in Death in Paradise. He became a household name with his Reggae Reggae Sauce and is a breakout star of Dragons’ Den. He now has a multi million pound business.
Maia Oprey – Suzanne Packer
Who does she play? Maya is part of the reggae band.
Where have I seen her before? Suzanne Packer will be a familiar face to TV fans: in the last couple of years she’s been in Keeping Faith (as Delyth Lloyd), Bang (as Layla), Vera (as Sophia Ashbrook), Stella (as Carole) and The Level (as Teresa Devlin). She previously starred in Casualty as Tess Bateman.
Leon Laroche – Clint Dyer
Who does he play? As the lead singer of Leon and the Ragers, Leon is finally back on stage with his reggae band after 30 years.
Where have I seen him before? Clint Dyer recently appeared in the Black Mirror episode Metalhead, as Anthony. Other credits on his CV include Hope Springs, Acts of Vengeance, and The Bill.
Delmar Brown – Delroy Brown
Who does he play? Delmar is a reggae musician in the band Leon and the Ragers.
Where have I seen him before? You may recognise Delroy Brown as DC Lee Broadhurst from the TV series Scott & Bailey. He’s also appeared in Emmerdale, Bad Education (as Mr Carmichael) and Holby City (as Cuthbert Bradley).
Kai Springer – Akemnji Ndifornyen
Who does he play? Kai’s mother was sadly murdered many years ago, when he was just a baby. He is very close to his dad Billy, who raised him, and is devastated by his death.
Where have I seen him before? Akemnji Ndifornyen appeared in the TV series Leonardo as Machiavelli. He has previously starred in Doctors as Nathan Bailey, and recent projects include The Last Witness, America’s War on Drugs, Obsession: Dark Desires, and The Javone Prince Show.
Dwayne’s dad Nelson Myers – Ram John Holder
Who does he play? Dwayne Myers has a difficult relationship with his dad Nelson, who he tracked down in London when he was over there on a case in series six. Now Nelson has come to the Caribbean to mend the relationship, but so far he seems to be getting on everyone’s nerves by making himself at home.
Where have I seen him before? Guyanese actor Ram John Holder is best known for playing Augustus “Porkpie” Grant in Channel 4 series Desmond’s, with two series of his own spin-off Porkpie. He’s also appeared as Wilson in Down to Earth, ‘Flying’ Freddie Mercer in The Story of Tracy Beaker and first showed up in Death in Paradise last year. Alongside his screen work, Holder is a musician and has recorded several albums.
Episode seven
When a man is murdered in an apparent robbery gone wrong, a suspect steps forward with a confession – but DI Jack Mooney isn’t convinced he’s the right man.
Samuel Parker – Larrington Walker
Who does he play? Widower Samuel Parker is the elderly neighbour who reports a major row next door. When the police arrive, they find a body.
Where have I seen him before? Larringon Walker has sadly passed away since filming his role in Death in Paradise. Over the course of his long career, he appeared in films Human Traffic and Second Coming, and popped up in TV series including The Bill, Taboo and Inspector Morse. He also spent time as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Cordell Thomas – Osy Ikhile
Who does he play? When police arrive at the scene, JP chases down Cordell Thomas as he tries to escape. JP actually went to school with Cordell – but the two are far from friends.
Where have I seen him before? Osy Ikhile recently appeared in break-out Black Mirror episode USS Callister and has played roles in film In the Heart of the Sea and TV series Childhood’s End. In 2015 he was named one of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow.
Marie Gayle – Rosalind Eleazar
Who does she play? The cleaner and housekeeper at Cordell’s block of flats.
Where have I seen her before? Rosalind Eleazer has a fairly broad TV CV, having appeared in Holby City, National Treasure, the Zadie Smith adaptation NW and Harlots. Most recently, she showed up as Christine Levison in BBC thriller Rellik.
Celeste Jones – Adjoa Andoh
Who does she play? Celeste is the victim’s sister who keeps the family business going, even though he owns it and fritters away money.
Where have I seen her before?
Adjoa Andoh is best known for playing nurse Colette Griffiths in Casualty. A familiar face of British television, she has also been seen as Martha’s mother Francine in Doctor Who, plus roles in Broadchurch and Line of Duty. She made her Hollywood debut in Invictus and has appeared in Noel Clarke’s films Adulthood and Brotherhood.
Charlie Blake – Ralph Brown
Who does he play? Local crook Charlie had his jewellery stolen, but never reported it to the police.
Where have I seen him before?
Ralph Brown played Danny the drug dealer in Withnail and I, with other significant roles in Alien 3, The Boat That Rocked, Wayne’s World 2 and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. More recently, he’s appeared in TV series Legends and Agent Carter.
Episode six
This week, Death in Paradise features a seemingly-impossible murder: how could the victim have been strangled to death when all the suspects were with each other at a meditation circle?
Cressida Bell – Zoe Boyle
Who does she play? Cressida Bell left her family behind and used her trust fund money to set up a high-end spiritual retreat in Saint Marie with her partner Daniel Friend.
Where have I seen her before? Remember Matthew Crawley’s nervy, dull but ultimately martyred fiancé from Downton Abbey – Lavinia Squire? That’s Zoe Boyle. She has also starred in the comedy drama Witless, and appeared in the TV series Frontier, Breathless, and The Astronaut Wives Club.
Daniel Friend – Sam Hoare
Who does he play? Daniel Friend runs a spiritual retreat on Saint Marie with his partner, Cressida Bell. He sets off with his towel under his arm, saying he is going for his daily swim – and the next thing anyone knows, he’s dead.
Where have I seen him before? McMafia viewers have recently seen Sam Hoare as Alan Reynott. Before that, he has appeared in Outlander, Granchester, Endeavour, Dickensian and Dark Angel.
Bryn Williams – Richard Harrington
Who does he play? Bryn is a guest at Daniel and Cressida’s spiritual retreat.
Where have I seen him before? Richard Harrington is one of two Poldark stars to pop up as guest actors in this episode – the other being Harry Richardson (Drake Carne). Aside from playing Captain Andrew Blamey, Harrington has starred in Requiem, Hinterland, and Lark Rise to Candleford.
Eva Ingram – Katy Wix
Who does she play? Eva Ingram is a guest at the retreat. She doesn’t take things too seriously and has a sense of humour.
Where have I seen her before? Katy Wix is a familiar face because she has been in a ton of TV dramas and comedies. She plays Fergie in The Windsors, and appeared as Florence Fagan in Evelyn Waugh’s Decline and Fall. In Agatha Raisin she played Gemma Simpson, in Not Going Out she was Daisy, and in Torchwood she starred as Rhiannon Davies.
Gabe Lee – Harry Richardson
Who does he play? Gabe is one of the guests at Daniel and Cressida’s retreat on Saint Marie. There is a LOT of anger in him.
Where have I seen him before? Harry Richardson is better known as Poldark’s Drake Carne and appears in Death in Paradise alongside his Poldark co-star Richard Harrington (Captain Andrew Blamey). He has also starred in Julian Fellowes series Doctor Thorne, and played a soldier in the movie Dunkirk. In real life he is Australian.
Episode five
While Saint Marie is celebrating a local festival in town with drinking and a parade, and while the rich members of the local yacht club are holding a charity auction, a young woman is stabbed. But who did it: her husband, her sailing instructor, the club’s secretary or the club’s chairman?
Finn Anderson – Danny Rahim
Who does he play? A tech millionaire who made his money by developing a game and then selling it off, Finn moved to Saint Marie with his wife only recently. His wife Daisy is the murder victim.
Where have I seen him before? Danny Rahim starred as DC Tariq Lang in DCI Banks. He also appeared in Primeval: New World as Mac Rendell.
Hugh Davenport – John Sessions
Who does he play? Hugh Davenport is the Chairman of the local yacht club.
Where have I seen him before? We recently saw John Sessions in ITV’s The Lock, where he played DCI Frank Smilie. He’s appeared in everything from Doctor Who to Outlander to Skins, and – away from the acting world – Sessions is known for comedy improv on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and QI.
Charlotte Hamilton – Pippa Haywood
Who does she play? Proud Mrs Hamilton is Club Secretary at the yacht club and a firm fixture in Saint Marie’s privileged social scene.
Where have I seen her before? Pippa Haywood played the hilariously awful Joanna Clore in Green Wing. Since then she has starred in The Wrong Door, Mr Selfridge, Prisoners Wives, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Brief Encounters, and Porridge. She’ll soon appear in the TV thriller Bodyguard alongside Line of Duty star Keeley Hawes.
Adam Warner – Rory Fleck Byrne
Who does he play? Meet Adam Warner, sailing instructor at the local yacht club.
Where have I seen him before? Rory Fleck Byrne has recently starred in period drama Harlots as Daniel Marney. He appeared in TV movie To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters, and played Sean Morrison in Jackie Chan movie The Foreigner.
Darlene’s niece Elize – Danae Langlais-John-Jules
No wonder Dwayne Myers has such a strong bond with his girlfriend Darlene’s niece Eliza! The cheeky kid is played by actor Danny John-Jules’ own daughter, Danae. She and her brother Dante travel to Guadeloupe with their parents while Death in Paradise is filming, and the siblings have previously appeared in the short film Bucky.
Episode four
When a blind woman goes to a faith healer to recover her vision and instead drops down dead, she has either visited a really TERRIBLE faith healer – or there’s something suspicious going on…
Dashel Jordan – Richie Campbell
Who does he play? Dashel Jordan is a local restaurant owner who recently got back in touch with his aunt. She’s suffering from sight loss, so he takes her to visit a faith healer. Unfortunately the faith-healing process does exactly the opposite of what’s intended: his aunt drops down dead.
Where have I seen him before? We last saw Richie Campbell in Liar, where he played cheated-on husband Liam Sutcliffe. He has also played Viv in the TV series Eve, and was Ndale in Waterloo Road.
Steadman King – Steve Toussaint
Who does he play? Steadman King was a local boy who went to America and became a faith healer. Now he’s back in Saint Marie to preach to the local population.
Where have I seen him before? Steve Toussaint’s credits include Upstart Crow, Fortitude, and Inspector Lewis. He played Mallik in Line of Duty and DI Mike Trent in Doctors.
Amelia King – Jenny Jules
Who does she play? Amelia King manages Steadman’s career: they are a joint package. She has come to Saint Marie with him from the US.
Where have I seen her before? Dedicated Skins fans will remember Jenny Jules as Sonia Blood. She’s also appeared in The Man Inside, EastEnders, Odd Mom Out and NCS Manhunt.
Darlene – Ginny Holder
Who does she play? Dwayne Myers has met his match in Darlene. Tall and beautiful, she is extremely confident and will NOT be messed around.
Where have I seen her before? You may remember Ginny Holder as Thande Abebe-Griffin from Holby City. She has also appeared in Family Affairs, The Protectors, and London Has Fallen.
Pico the Police Dog
Who does he play? Oh, Pico. The newest (temporary) member of the Saint Marie police force spends all his time sleeping and refusing to be budged. With his limited training as a police dog handler, JP has been given a work-shy canine as his sidekick.
Episode three
Crime writer Frank O’Toole is dramatically murdered in a plot worthy of one of his own novels. But who did it? And – how?
Frank O’Toole – James Faulkner
Who does he play? Frank O’Toole is a once-popular author of crime novels, and he’s been pumping them out for 40 years at a rate of one a year. These days he lives on Saint Marie with his wife Valerie and research assistant Gilly.
Where have I seen him before? It’s a long way from Westeros to St Marie, but James Faulkner was the actor who played Samwell’s dad Randyll Tarly in Game of Thrones. He was also Pope Sixtus IV in the TV series Da Vinci’s Demons, and starred as Lord Sinderby in Downton Abbey.
Gilly White – Sian Gibson
Who does she play? Gilly is Frank’s “research assistant” and protege, a pretty young woman who is totally obsessed with her literary idol. She left her life as a bookshop employee in Stoke in order to travel to Saint Marie and live with Frank and Valerie.
Where have I seen her before? Sian Gibson is best known for her role as Kayleigh in Car Share alongside Peter Kay. She recently returned to the part of nurse ‘Trish’ in The League of Gentlemen.
Larry South – Simon Callow
Who does he play? Larry is Frank’s literary agent of 40 years, and arrives on Saint Marie to celebrate the anniversary with cake and champagne. He loves a drink.
Where have I seen him before? Simon Callow had his first TV role in 1975 and has barely been out of work since. Recently he has appeared in Judi Dench movie Victoria & Abdul as Puccini, played the Duke of Sandringham in Outlander, and taken on Charles Dickens in Doctor Who. A critically acclaimed stage actor, he gained widespread recognition in Channel 4 comedy Chance in a Million and as Gareth in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Valerie O’Toole – Imogen Stubbs
Who does she play? Valerie is Frank’s devoted wife. A former actress, she gave up her own career when she married her husband 23 years ago and moved to Saint Marie.
Where have I seen her before? Imogen Stubbs played the awful Lucy Steele in Sense and Sensibility alongside Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. Recently she’s been in Switch, Holby City, Parents, Doctors and Injustice.
Dean – Steve Oram
Who does he play? When Gilly packed her bags and moved to Saint Marie, she left behind a fiancé, Dean. He’s heartbroken and confused.
Where have I seen him before? Steve Oram stars as Phil in Channel 4 and Netflix’s breakout comedy The End of the F***ing World. A writer and comedian as well as actor, he co-wrote and starred in the 2012 movie Sightseers. His credits include Paddington, Altar, The World’s End, The Secrets and Glue.
Episode two
In the second episode of Death in Paradise series seven, we see what happens when a poker game goes wrong…
Les Doyle – Mark Benton
Who does Mark Benton play? Jovial Les Doyle runs an international poker tournament and is in Saint Marie to oversee the final, with a prize of 3 million.
Where have I seen him before? Mark Benton is the kind of TV actor who has been in everything. He rarely plays the lead, but perhaps you’ve seen him in The Halcyon, Shakespeare & Hathaway, or Waterloo Road. He was in Land Girls and Scoop, and played Eddie in old favourite Early Doors. Oh, and he made it to week ten of Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 with his impressive enthusiasm on the dance floor.
Eugene Sutton – Nigel Planer
Who does Nigel Planer play? Eugene Sutton is a former academic who has turned his hand to poker with great success. He is keen to promote his book about poker and will always be on hand to sign a copy or run a masterclass.
Where have I seen him before? Nigel Planer first rose to fame in cult BBC comedy The Young Ones in the 1980s. More recently he’s been in Episodes (as Sanford Shamiro) and starred in West End musicals including Wicked, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Hairspray.
Bobby Rodrigues – Nigel Whitmey
Who does Nigel Whitmey play? Bobby Rodrigues is favourite to win at the poker tournament – until he drops down dead.
Where have I seen him before? British-Canadian actor Nigel Whitmey’s voice may be more familiar than his face: he provides the voice for Moose Roberts in Fireman Sam, and he can also be heard in Battlefield 1, Need for Speed Payback, and Alien: Isolation. Recently he appeared as the Canadian PM Robert Bowman in London Has Fallen.
Melanie Devaux – Zoe Telford
Who does Zoe Telford play? Melanie only joined the professional poker circuit a couple of years ago, when she met and married Bobby Rodrigues. She is nervous about the game.
Where have I seen her before? Zoe Telford’s recent roles include Clare Haber in Genius, Bella Cross in Unforgotten, and DCI Jane De Freitas in Silent Witness. She played Michelle in Love & Marriage, and Claire Sutton in Yes, Prime Minister.
Ray Campbell – Theo Barklem-Biggs
Who does Theo Barklem-Biggs play? Ray Campbell is second favourite to win. He can be rude and snarky, and the other players roll their eyes at his “sponsorship” deals and branded clothing.
Where have I seen him before? Theo Barklem-Biggs played Ryan in Kingsman: The Secret Service, and dedicated EastEnders fans will recognise him as Mitch Gannon. The actor also appeared as Jake Milner in Silk and Pete “Budgie” Griffiths in Tatau.
Adelaide Scott – Charlotte Beaumont
Who does Charlotte Beaumont play? Adelaide Scott is the dealer for the poker game.
Where have I seen her before? It’s Chloe Latimer from Broadchurch! Charlotte Beaumont has also appeared in Waterloo Road and EastEnders.
Episode one
In the first episode of series seven we meet the Marston family. Here are the actors and characters you’ll see on screen.
Philip Marston – Denis Lawson
Who does he play? Philip Marston is a billionaire businessman. He’s arrived on Saint Marie to get married at one of the luxury hotels he owns – but his wedding day turns into a tragedy when his fiancée apparently takes her own life in a dramatic plunge from a balcony. Philip is furious when DI Jack Mooney insists this is a murder case.
Where have I seen him before? Veteran TV actor Denis Lawson has a CV as long as your arm. Recently he has been in Victoria, playing the Duke of Atholl who welcomed the Queen to Scotland. In the ITV drama In Plain Sight he played Laurence Dowdell, and in New Tricks he starred as Steve McAndrew.
Pearl Marston – Tanya Reynolds
Who does she play? Pearl Marston is one of the three Marston siblings. Having lost her mother 15 years ago to cancer, she has her wealthy dad wrapped around her little finger – but she is “totes” not a big fan of her soon-to-be stepmother. Pearl definitely doesn’t want a real job: she prefers a life of pilates classes, massages and social media.
Where have I seen her before? Tanya Reynolds has appeared in the TV series Delicious, where she played Teresa Benelli. She also popped up in Rellik as Sally, and played Lady Isobel Dunsany in an episode of Outlander.
Karen Marston – Jemima Rooper
Who does she play? Karen may be young, but she is the only Marston kid to inherit her father’s business sense. She is the Managing Director of the Marston Group and, in her own words, has dragged the business into the 21st century.
Where have I seen her before? Jemima Rooper started young, playing tomboy George in The Famous Five. More recently she’s starred in Fearless (as Maggie Berman) and Atlantis (as Medusa).
Stephen Marston – Rob Heaps
Who does he play? Stephen lives a life of luxury. His position in the family business enables him to travel the world doing “quality control” at the Marston hotels and flirting with everyone he meets.
Where have I seen him before? Home Fires fans will remember Rob Heaps as AC Tom Halliwell. More recently he played Ezra Bloom in the TV series Imposters.
Oliver – Stefano Braschi
Who does he play? Oliver manages the Marston hotel in Saint Marie, where the wedding was due to take place and where the “suicide” happened. He is officious and uncooperative with the police.
Where have I seen him before? Stefano Braschi played Marco D’Oliveira in Waterloo Road. He’s set to appear in the movie Genesis as Vice President Jimenez, and will play Jason Walker in Hard Sun.
from Radio Times https://ift.tt/2wqyAu9
