Jim Howick (Ghosts), Angela Griffin (The Wives), Marcus Brigstocke (The Unbelievable Truth), Steven Hartley (Happy Valley), Elizabeth Carling (Hotel Portofino), Michael Salami (Supacell), and Dex Lee (Doctors) will all spend Christmas in the Caribbean in this year’s Death in Paradise Christmas special, produced by Red Planet Pictures. The festive episode will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this holiday season.

They’ll be joined by the series’ new Detective Inspector, Don Gilet (Sherwood, EastEnders, The Beekeeper, Shetland), making his debut as DI Mervin Wilson. Familiar faces returning include Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas, Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis, Danny John-Jules as Officer Dwayne Myers, and Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey.

Dwayne’s father, Nelson, played by Ram John Holder, will also appear, adding a family dynamic to the episode.

Set once again on the stunning island of Saint Marie, this year’s special introduces Londoner Mervin Wilson, whose adjustment to island life creates friction with his new team. The DI faces one of their most baffling cases yet: three unconnected men, all dressed as Santa Claus, are found shot with the same gun at exactly the same time. As Mervin wrestles with this impossible crime, his unconventional methods unsettle the team. Meanwhile, Dwayne’s Christmas reunion with his father takes an unexpected turn.

Filmed on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, the Christmas special will be followed by a brand-new series in 2025. Fans can expect more of the show’s signature blend of tropical escapism, intricate mysteries, and surprising twists.

Death in Paradise remains the UK’s most-watched returning drama this year, with the 2024 series drawing over 8 million viewers. Distributed by BBC Studios, the series has been sold to over 230 territories worldwide.

The franchise continues to expand following the success of Beyond Paradise, with a new spin-off, Return to Paradise. Set in Australia, the series debuts on Friday, November 22, on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, in collaboration with ABC and BBC Studios Australia Productions.