Deshaies Church in Guadeloupe, the filming location for Death in Paradise’s fictional police station.
Death in Paradise (BBC One) is back on our screens with its true Caribbean beauty, wit, and humour, as its detective storylines hook viewers in week after week.
“Ralf Little has skillfully adapted to his role as DI Neville Parker.”
A familiar favourite for many British viewers, Death in Paradise’s return offers a mix of murder mysteries for the detectives to unravel: from the death of a TV news presenter to the disappearance of a murdered lottery winner.
Offering a new lease of life to the comedy detective series, Ralf Little has skillfully adapted to his new role as DI Neville Parker. Whilst arguably not granted the same affections as his forerunners, Ardal O’Hanlon and Ben Miller, Little is still able to strike the right balance between investigative drama and much needed comedy relief.
When Detective Sargeant Florence Cassell, played by Joséphine Jobert, left the show in Season 8 following the death of her fiancé, Patrice Campbell, viewers thought she was gone for good. Yet her surprise return to the island as she flaunts her attractive floral attire has engaged the affections of long time supporters of the detective thriller.
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“we are given a window into their lives outside of the working day”
Adding another dynamic to the series, the brotherly bond between Jean Pierre (“JP”) Hopper (played by Tobi Bakare) and newbie Marlon Pryce (played by Tahj Miles) is central to the show’s comedic elements. Their misdemeanors and utter incompetence at times offers a human element to the show, illustrating how often police officers slip up when uncovering murders.
As the series progresses, a connection between the viewers and characters also intensifies as we are given a window into their lives outside of the working day, with the arrival of JP’s twins lifting the spirits of those watching – a necessary and light warming conclusion to another intense episode.
The corny nature of the cinematic experience has at times let the show down however. Whilst the jokes ease the intensity of the sitcom, they are at times oversaturated and forced, causing viewers to cringe at the onscreen performance.
In spite of the – at times – awkward set up, such oversaturated comedy doesn’t detract from the overall standards of the series. The Guardian’s review of only 3/5 in this respect seems harsh. Whilst its performance may not top that of the early series championed by Ben Miller, it still lives up to expectations, pleasing observers on British sofas week after week.
It may not be the most dramatic, fast moving thriller to hit the UK screens to date, but its stripped back, familiar cinematic choices are in fact what appeals to fans of the series so much. The show requires little attention to detail from viewers and, as such, allows families to switch off and enjoy an hour of on screen entertainment without having to constantly be on the edge of their sofas.
“viewers yearn for a time where they too will be bathing by the beach”
Set in the lush, sun kissed backdrop of fictional Saint Marie (Guadeloupe), viewers are transported to a Covid-free world of sand, sea, and excitement. Whilst international travel may seem like a distant, unreachable dream at the moment, given the current restrictions, what is so special about Death in Paradise is that it makes us feel as those we’re on holiday with the characters, enjoying a juicy and sumptuous plate of Jerk Chicken and rice as mysterious murders unfold in every corner of the island. As the waves roll by on the majestic island, viewers yearn for a time where they too will be bathing by the beach – although hopefully with no casualties involved.
Death in Paradise airs every Thursday at 9pm on BBC One. It’s a series not to be missed.
Lauren McGaun
Featured image courtesy of Pkraemer via wikimedia commons. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
