Death in Paradise returns with a crop of new guest stars as DI Jack Mooney (Ardal O’Hanlon) and his team tackle some baffling murder mysteries on the Caribbean island of Saint Marie.
While Danny John-Jules (Officer Dwayne Myers) may have left the show, both JP and Florence are back alongside Catherine and the Commissioner. And there’s a new cop in town as Officer Ruby Patterson (Shkyo Amos) joins the team…
- Death in Paradise reveals full list of series 8 guest stars – with actors from Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey, Poldark and The Inbetweeners
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Here are the main characters and guest stars who will feature in series eight:
Ardal O’Hanlon plays DI Jack Mooney
Who is DI Jack Mooney? When DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) left Saint Marie at the end of series six, DI Jack Mooney found himself taking on the top job and moving into Humphrey’s old shack on the beach. An Irish widower with a daughter away at university, he has settled into life on the island but still finds himself a little lonely. He tends to disarm people with long (and sometimes rambling) stories and odd questions, but ultimately he is a brilliant detective.
What else has Ardal O’Hanlon been in? O’Hanlon is best-known for playing the comically clueless and naive Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted. Since then, he has starred in My Hero, Robbie the Reindeer, Blessed, and Skins.
Joséphine Jobert plays DS Florence Cassell
Who is DS Florence Cassell? DI Jack Mooney’s second-in-command. She is a talented and capable detective, and is absolutely dedicated to her job. Having grown up in a house full of men (with five older brothers), Florence has learnt to be assertive and strong-minded. She is very easy to get along with and has a good sense of humour.
What else has Joséphine Jobert been in? Before joining Death in Paradise, the French actress and singer appeared on TV in France, with shows including Cut, Sous le soleil de Saint-Tropez, and Summer Crush.
Tobi Bakare plays Officer JP Hooper
Who is Officer JP Hooper? A young, ambitious and hard-working police officer who joined the show in 2015. He previously worked closely with Officer Dwayne Myers, and is eager to prove himself to his bosses. JP is married to the girl he had a crush on at school.
What else has Tobi Bakare been in? Recent credits include Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle, where he played Eggsy’s friend Jamal. Before joining the cast of Death in Paradise, he appeared in The Tunnel, One Child, The Smoke, and Silent Witness.
Don Warrington plays Commissioner Patterson
Who is Commissioner Selwyn Patterson? The gruff police commissioner of Saint Marie – and Jack’s boss. He has a deadpan sense of humour and tends to keep his employees on edge, even though he is usually impressed by their crime-solving skills.
What else has Don Warrington been in? An accomplished stage and screen actor, Warrington has appeared in Rising Damp, New Street Law, To Play the King, and Hamlet. He played the President of Great Britain in an alternative universe in Doctor Who episode Rise of Cybermen.
Shyko Amos plays Officer Ruby Patterson
Who is Ruby Patterson? After the departure of Officer Dwayne Myers (Danny John-Jules) , there is a vacancy at Saint Marie police station – but not for long. Commissioner Patterson’s niece Ruby joins the team as an eager new recruit, fresh out of police college. She has been described as a “bundle of joy.”
What else has Shyko Amos been in? Aside from a tiny two-line part in A Very English Scandal, Shyko Amos is a complete newcomer to television.
Elizabeth Bourgine plays Catherine Bordey
Who is Catherine Bordey? As one of the most friendly and popular people on the island of Saint Marie, she runs Catherine’s Bar on the beach-front where locals and police alike gather to relax in the evenings. She is at the heart of the Honoré community and is always on hand to offer advice and create unusual cocktails. Catherine has been an important part of Death in Paradise since the first series launched in 2011.
What else has Elizabeth Bourgine been in? The actress has mainly appeared on French TV, with more than 60 roles in film and television.
Leemore Marrett Jr plays Patrice Campbell
Who is Patrice Campbell? Florence’s new boyfriend.
What else has Leemore Marrett Jr. been in? The actor has made appearances in Humans, Final Score, Call the Midwife, Vera, Silent Witness, 24: Live Another Day, and Whitechapel.
Episode four guest stars
Robert Portal plays Benedict Dacre
Who is Benedict? The wealthy owner of a coffee plantation on Saint Marie. He has a reputation for cruelty and bullying behaviour towards his family and employees alike, but is newly married to a young and pretty American wife. Benedict is also a creature of habit, which backfires when he’s killed while reading on the porch with his customary brandy and cigar.
What else has Robert Portal been in? A prolific character actor, Robert Portal has appeared in films and TV shows including Collateral (as Major Tim Dyson), Goodbye Christopher Robin (as Headmaster), The Huntsman: Winter’s War (as King), The King’s Speech (as Equerry) and Endeavour (as Major Coward).
Anna Chancellor plays Ciss Dacre
Who is Ciss? Benedict’s sister. She is upset by his plans to sell the family plantation and pocket all the money. Ciss has a grown-up son, Owen, but otherwise doesn’t get on with her new sister-in-law Ricki or her niece Ruth.
What else has Anna Chancellor been in? The Bafta and Olivier-nominated actress has recently starred as Penelope Kittson in the TV series Trust, and as Rachel Argyll in Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence. Her other credits include New Blood, Shetland, Pramface, and The Hour.
Susy Kane plays Ricki
Who is Ricki? Benedict’s newlywed wife. Young, American and brash, she doesn’t really get on with Ciss or Owen.
What else has Susy Kane been in? The English actress has recently put in appearances in Stan & Ollie, The Coroner, and The Windsors. She is also a singer and a comedy writer, writing material for TV series including Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse’s BBC show Harry and Paul.
Margaret Clunie plays Ruth
Who is Ruth? Benedict’s daughter from an earlier marriage. She is a social media addict who is always clutching her phone.
What else has Margaret Clunie been in? Victoria fans will recognise her as Harriet, Duchess of Sutherland – Prince Ernst’s love interest and the Queen’s right-hand woman. She’s also made appearances in Patrick Melrose, Endeavour, and Upstart Crow.
Sara Powell plays Josephine
Who is Josephine? The housekeeper. She has been loyal to this family for years, and lives on a bungalow on their property.
What else has Sara Powell been in? You may have seen her in Unforgotten, where she played the Arbiter, or in Damned as the character Cass. Other recent TV shows include Silent Witness, Little Box Blue (as policewoman Pat Gallan), and Midsomer Murders, but she has also previously appeared in You Me and the Apocalypse, Holby Blue, and the 1998 adaptation of Vanity Fair.
Louis Greatorex plays Owen
Who is Owen? The grown-up son of Ciss. He works on the plantation and, even though he hates the toxic family home, has great ambitions about what could be done with the business.
What else has Louis Greatorex been in? The young actor plays Henry Mason in the Netflix series Safe, and is also Paul Stoneham in The Last Post. He starred as Lawrence in Last Tango in Halifax.
Episode three guest stars
Kimberley Nixon plays Catrina
Who is Catrina? The bubbly and enthusiastic presenter of TV travel show Hotspots, currently filming an episode in Saint Marie.
What else has Kimberley Nixon been in? The actress starred as Jodie in Fresh Meat, and also played Alison White in New Blood. Her other credits include Outlander (as Millie Nelson), Ordinary Lies, Critical, Hebburn, and Cranford.
Kevin Doyle plays Terry
Who is Terry? Hotspots’ sound guy. The rest of the crew find him boring and roll their eyes when he complains, but he has developed a friendship with Catrina over the years they have all been filming together.
What else has Kevin Doyle been in? Downton Abbey fans will recognise him as Joseph Molesley, a role he’s set to reprise in the upcoming movie. He has also played John Wadsworth in Happy Valley, Lt Col Roland Brett in The Crimson Field, and the Chairman in Sheridan Smith TV movie Care.
Ron Cook plays Bill
Who is Bill? The director of Hotspots and owner of his own production company. He is competitive and ruthless, and makes his cast and crew work extremely hard – though he’ll treat them to beers at the end of the day to keep them sweet.
What else has Ron Cook been in? He recently made a memorable guest appearance as the gruesome hair and teeth dealer in Les Misérables. Other recent roles include Commissar Gadlem in The City and the City, Mr Crabb in Mr Selfridge and George Merchant in Hot Fuzz.
Olivia Poulet plays Pippa
Who is Pippa? For years, Pippa has worked behind the scenes on Hotspots, producing the TV show.
What else has Olivia Poulet been in? She stared alongside Robert Webb and David Mitchell in the TV series Back, and played Abigail Tate in Holby City. Other credits include The Thick of It (where she played Emma Messinger) and In the Loop (as Suzy).
Navin Chowdhry plays Andy
Who is Andy? Hotspots camera guy Andy is married with kids, but spends most of his time travelling for work.
What else has Navin Chowdhry been in? You may have seen him in The End of the F***ing World (as Tony), The Replacement (as Kieran), Next of Kin (Kareem Shirani), Our Girl (as Inspector Chowdhrey) or Doctor Foster (as Anwar). He also recently made a brief appearance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi as a Resistance pilot.
Episode two guest stars
Jonathan Kerrigan plays Xander Shepherd
Who is Xander Shepherd? The boss of Saint Marie Zoo. He inherited the family business from his father, who founded the zoo on the island.
What else has Jonathan Kerrigan been in? The actor has starred in The Five, Heartbeat, Diana, In The Club, and Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. He is also married to his Death in Paradise co-star and on-screen wife, Shelley Conn…
Shelley Conn plays Marina Shepherd
Who is Marina Shepherd? Xander’s heavily-pregnant wife. She also works at the zoo and is an animal psychologist.
What else has Shelley Conn been in? Like Jonathan Kerrigan, Shelley starred in the TV series Heartbeat. She recently had a key role in ITV’s Liar as DI Vanessa Harmon, and has appeared shows including Terra Nova, Heading Out, By Any Means, The Lottery, and Strike Back. Conn played Princess Pondichery in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Blake Harrison plays Theo Roberts
Who is Theo Roberts? Theo is the only employee of Saint Marie zoo who isn’t actually part of the Shepherd family.
What else has Blake Harrison been in? Best known for playing Neil Sutherland in The Inbetweeners and in the spin-off movies, Blake Harrison has recently appeared in the Hugh Grant TV series A Very English Scandal as inept assassin Andrew Newton, and in Jodie Whittaker thriller Trust Me as her estranged boyfriend Karl. Other credits include The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Prime Suspect 1973, and Bob the Builder – for which he is the voice of Scoop.
Charlotte Ritchie plays Iris Shepherd
Who is Iris Shepherd? Xander’s younger sister, and the zoo’s herpetologist – ie she hangs out with the amphibians and reptiles, and has a particular affinity for snakes. Iris also has a taste for all things designer and expensive.
What else has Charlotte Ritchie been in? You’re most likely to remember her as Nurse Barbara Hereward from Call the Midwife, or perhaps as posh Oregon from Fresh Meat. Recently she joined Doctor Who for the New Year’s episode Resolution, where she played Lin.
Jonas Armstrong plays Dylan Shepherd
Who is Dylan Shepherd? Xander’s brother. He grew up at the zoo and is deeply attached to the family business. Dylan’s specialty is primates.
What else has Jonas Armstrong been in? The actor starred in BBC drama Robin Hood. Since the show ended a decade ago, he has appeared in Prisoners Wives, Hit & Miss, Walking with the Enemy, Line of Duty and Dark Angel. He played the role of Nathaniel in Ripper Street, and Menelaus in Troy: Fall of a City.
Sule Rimi plays Emil Delacroix
Who is Emil Delacroix? That would be telling…
What else has Sule Rimi been in? You may have seen Sule Rimi in Black Earth Rising, where he played Dr Busasa. His credits also include Strike Back, Unforgotten, DNN: Definitely Not Newsround, and Stella.
Episode one guest stars
Andrew Tiernan plays Paul Raynor
Who is Paul Raynor? Our first murder victim of the series arrives on Saint Marie by ferry and catches the Honoré Express alongside three other passengers. By the end of the journey, he has been stabbed to death. But who did it?
What else has Andrew Tiernan been in? Recent roles have included Roger Lane in Safe House and Nigel Stafford in Marcella. He has also appeared as Purcell in the Matt Smith-era Doctor Who episode Night Terrors.
Chizzy Akudolu plays Butterfly Brown
Who is Butterfly Brown? The bus driver. A larger-than-life character, she holds her own against her boss – and against any complaints from the passengers.
What else has Chizzy Akudolu been in? The soap star plays Mo Effanga in Holby City. She also competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, and has since popped up as a presenter on Loose Women and Good Morning Britain.
Robert James-Collier plays Oliver Cole
Who is Oliver Cole? One of the four passengers who boards the bus to Honoré, and one of the three passengers still to step off the bus alive at the end of the journey. He appears to have some business on the island.
What else has Robert James-Collier been in? The actor played Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey and will soon appear in the Downton movie. One of his first big gigs was Coronation Street, where he played Liam Connor.
Rebecca Front plays Fiona Tipton
Who is Fiona Tipton? One of the four passengers who boards the bus to Honoré. Like the others, she claims not to have seen or heard anything.
What else has Rebecca Front been in? The Bafta-winning actress and comedian starred as Nicola Murray MP in The Thick of It alongside a foul-mouthed Peter Capaldi. She is also known for playing Lady Whitworth in Poldark and for roles in War & Peace, Doctor Thorne, Humans, Lewis, Up the Women, and Nighty Night.
Diveen Henry plays Tamila Brooks
Who is Tamila Brooks? One of the four passengers who boards the bus to Honoré. She is a local woman returning from a trip.
What else has Diveen Henry been in? The actress played Sally Lewis in The Dumping Ground. She’s also been in No Offence, Cradle to Grave, and Apple Tree Yard.
Ewen Cummins plays Harold Crane
Who is Harold Crane? Butterfly’s boss, and the owner of this transport company.
What else has Ewen Cummins been in? TV credits include Vera, Hamlet, Rockface, and The Bill.
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