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? A talented and capable detective. She was second-in-command to DI Jack Mooney’s predecessor DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall), and when her new boss Jack arrived the two quickly became close friends and colleagues. Series eight has been extremely eventful for DS Florence Cassell.
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.
Episode eight guest stars
Aude Legastelois plays DS Madeleine Dumas
Who is Madeleine? After the events of that dramatic episode five & six double bill, Madeleine was sent to Saint Marie from the department of Internal Affairs in France. She was assigned to go over the case with a fine-tooth comb and give her verdict on how DI Jack Mooney manages his team. Now, she has been drafted in to help solve the final case of series eight…
What else has Aude Legastelois been in? The young actress has a collection of French TV and film credits including Nox, La promesse de l’eau, and Budapest.
Tristan Sturrock plays Adam Renshaw
Who is Adam? DI Jack Mooney is certainly surprised when he unlocks the police station the morning after a major torrential storm and finds the body of a man lying in the middle of the floor. The mysterious man is a tourist called Adam, who arrived on the island for a group birthday trip with his old university mates.
What else has Tristan Sturrock been in? He plays the role of Zacky Martin in Poldark, and has also appeared in Strike Back, Jamaica Inn, Doc Martin, Christopher Robin, The Crown (in the episode Vergangenheit), and Bad Girls.
Lisa McGrillis plays Hannah Wilde
Who is Hannah? The leader of the expedition. She had been taking this group of friends on a trek through the rainforest on their hired horses when the storm struck, and she advised the men to wait it out in their tents. In the morning, Adam was gone.
What else has Lisa McGrillis been in? A scene-stealer in Mum as dippy but loveable Kelly, Lisa McGrillis has also played Rachel Coles in Inspector George Gently and Caroline McCoy in No Offence.
Daniel Ryan plays Gerald Baynes
Who is Gerald? One of the group of four friends. He didn’t always get on with the murder victim, Adam.
What else has Daniel Ryan been in? You may have seen him in the TV series Innocent, or in Mount Pleasant, Home Fires, The Government Inspector, The Whistleblowers, or Just William. On stage, Daniel Ryan has appeared in Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Richard III.
Karl Theobald plays David Molyneux
Who is David? Another of the middle-aged men taking part in the trek.
What else has Karl Theobald been in? The actor put in a memorable performance as Dr Martin Dear in Green Wing. Since then his TV credits have included Twenty Twelve, Primeval, Pram Face, Sick Note, Plebs, GameFace, and Hang Ups.
Hari Dhillon plays Jay Carver
Who is Jay? The final member of the group.
What else has Hari Dhillon been in? Recent projects have included Billions, This Is Us, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Holby City.
Episode seven guest stars
Richard Blackwood plays Carlton Smith
Who is Carlton? The new boss of a local reggae radio station, who has been brought in by management to ensure the station appeals to a younger audience.
What else has Richard Blackwood been in? Until recently, Richard Blackwood starred as Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders. He competed in the 2019 series of Dancing on Ice.
Terence Maynard plays Dezzie Dixon
Who is Dezzie Dixon? Jack Mooney is shocked when he’s listening to his favourite reggae station on the radio one evening – and suddenly he hears a gunshot. The DJ, Dezzie Dixon, has been shot dead live on air.
What else has Terence Maynard been in? The actor is perhaps best known for playing Tony Stewart in Coronation Street. He has also appeared as Helios in the TV series Merlin, Van Helsing in Young Dracula, and Colin Bolt in Public Enemies.
Adelle Leonce plays Faith Butler
Who is Faith? Dezzie’s daughter. She works at the radio station.
What else has Adelle Leonce been in? The actress starred in the TV series Shameless as Mary Mae. Since then she has appeared in TV shows including Strike, Ordinary Lies, and Black Mirror (in the episode Crocodile), and most recently she played DC Vail in Silent Witness.
Errol Trotman-Harewood plays Bunny Hicks
Who is Bunny? Another of Dezzie’s colleagues at the radio station, and a reggae enthusiast.
What else has Errol Trotman-Harewood been in? With credits in both Germany and the UK, Errol Trotman-Harewood has appeared in Deutschland 83 (as General Arnold Jackson), Greenhouse Academy. and Die Inselärztin.
Richard Pepple plays Junior
Who is Junior? A local ‘character’ and petty criminal.
What else has Richard Pepple been in? He played Dublin Hilton in the recent BBC adaptation of Andrea Levy’s The Long Song, and has also appeared in Cleaning Up, Krypton, Little Women, The Dumping Ground, and Motherland.
Episode six guest stars
Leemore Marrett Jr plays Patrice Campbell
Who is Patrice Campbell? Florence’s boyfriend – and now fiancé. He adores her and can’t wait to marry her as soon as possible. Patrice runs a bar on Saint Marie.
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.
Alastair MacKenzie plays Ewan Boyd
Who is Ewan? The owner of a lucrative financial investment company, who Commissioner Patterson says is “a millionaire many times over.” He divides his time between New York, London, and his “Caribbean bolthole” – that is, his villa on Rosalie Island.
What else has Alastair MacKenzie been in? The Scottish actor played Archie MacDonald in Monarch of the Glen. He is also known for his roles as Jeremy Walsh in Borgen, William Brereton in Wolf Hall, Lord Rothcroft in Dracula, and John Bentley in Unforgotten.
Saskia Reeves plays Frances Compton
Who is Frances? Ewan’s employee and right-hand woman, who has been working with him for the last 30 years – as well as living and travelling with him.
What else has Saskia Reeves been in? With more than 70 screen credits to her name, Saskia Reeves has appeared in shows including Shetland (as Freya Galdie), Collateral (as Deborah Clifford), Wolf Hall (as Johane Williamson) and Luther (as DSU Rose Teller).
Angus Deayton plays Martin Stow
Who is Martin? Martin Stow heads up Ewan’s legal team and is also staying on Rosalie Island.
What else has Angus Deayton been in? The actor, writer and broadcaster was the original presenter of Have I Got News for You, until he was dismissed in 2002 after a string of tabloid stories about his personal life. Since then he has played George Windsor in Waterloo Road, Alan Derbyshire in Pramface, and Don Cole in Nighty Night. He is also known for his role as Victor Meldrew’s neighbour Patrick in the TV show One Foot in the Grave.
Episode five guest stars
Nicole Lecky plays Tiana Palmer
Who is Tiana Palmer? One of the most popular young women on Saint Marie, Tiana has been selected by the village of Belle Mer to be their festival queen Mamma D’Mer. But after setting off on a boat with her “offering” (bread and rum) on her way to the annual Mahi Mahi festival, she is somehow killed – despite being alone at sea. Tiana works as a waitress at Florence’s fiancé Patrice’s bar, and is the girlfriend of Patrice’s best friend Harrison.
What else has Nicôle Lecky been in? Previous roles have included Bambie in Sense8, Maya Tanner in Doctors, and Leila in Fresh Meat. She has also written and starred in her own play, Superhoe, currently showing at the Royal Court.
Zackary Momoh plays Harrison Green
Who is Harrison Green? Patrice’s best friend, and Tiana’s boyfriend.
What else has Zackary Momoh been in? The actor played Manni Attah in No Offence, and Seth Butler in the TV series Seven Seconds.
Nneka Okoye plays Nelly Dubois
Who is Nelly Dubois? Tiana’s best friend, and a local fisherwoman.
What else has Nneka Okoye been in? Most recently, she starred as Mags in The A List. Her other credits include Every Blank Ever, Doctor Foster (as Wendy), and Prime Suspect 1973.
Indra Ové plays Louise Palmer
Who is Louise Palmer? Louise adopted Tiana as a baby, and her entire life revolves around her daughter. She has an alcohol problem and used to be a friend of Catherine’s.
What else has Indra Ové been in? She starred as Maria Carr in the Nicola Walker TV drama Unforgotten. Indra Ové has also appeared in Marcella, Dark Heart, The New Worst Witch, and Resident Evil.
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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