That said, this year’s Death in Paradise Christmas special took a small but noteworthy step in a less cosy direction. For the feature-length episode doubled as an introduction to the series’ latest lead detective, DI Mervin Wilson – Don Gilet having replaced Ralf Little in the top-billed role.
Ram John Holder as Nelson Myers and Michael Salami as Tyrus DeMille in the ‘Death in Paradise’ Christmas special (Photo: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Philippe Virapin)
Ordered by his “guv” in London to assist a short-handed Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington), Wilson also had a secondary reason for his sojourn on the island. His birth mother, whom he had never met, lived there and Wilson had decided to finally face her. All too late, it transpired.
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Read MoreMore important than the colour of Gilet’s skin is that he comes from a straight drama background – predecessors Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon and Ralf Little having all arrived trailing comedy CVs. Until now, Gilet’s most high-profile role had been as a serial killer in EastEnders.
Whether or not long-term fans welcome this slightly tougher, more intense lead, there was a reassuring emphasis on business-as-usual. The regular subordinates (Darlene, DS Naomi Thomas and Officer Dwayne Myers) took a proactive role in the investigation and there was even a brief cameo by Harry the Lizard.
Don Warrington as Selwyn Patterson (Photo: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Philippe Virapin)What you might call – at a stretch – the new realism was cleverly spliced with the show’s familiar cosy tropes. Wilson appeared nonplussed, for example, by the traditional, Poirot-like gathering of the suspects before the killer was revealed. “This is how we do it here,” the commissioner told him. In other words, there was going to be no unnecessary tampering with the series’ cherished blueprint.
‘Death in Paradise’ is streaming on BBC iPlayer
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