Fans of the hit BBC drama Beyond Paradise are in for a festive treat this weekend with a special Christmas episode packed with mystery and heartwarming moments. The show returns to the idyllic setting of Shipton Abbott for a yuletide adventure that promises surprise visitors, seasonal crimes, and an emotional reunion.
When to Watch the Festive Mystery
The Beyond Paradise Christmas Special will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, December 21. Viewers can tune in at 9pm for a full hour of festive detective work. The special precedes the return of its parent show, with the Death in Paradise Christmas episode scheduled to follow a week later on Sunday, December 28.
A Deeply Personal Case for Humphrey
The festive plot centres on a poignant mystery for DI Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall. The investigation begins when an elderly man suffering from dementia is discovered on the steps of Shipton Abbott police station. He has no memory but is clutching a single item: a photograph of Humphrey himself.
Speaking about the episode, Kris Marshall revealed the personal nature of the story. "It's such a personal story for Humphrey," he said. "A man turns up on his doorstep with a picture and we're not sure why, but it soon becomes a deeply touching story. I find it becomes especially personal because of the eventual reason as to why he has Humphrey's photograph – it's a very Christmassy story that warms the cockles."
Full Cast and Guest Stars
The special sees the return of the show's beloved regular cast. Sally Bretton reprises her role as Martha Lloyd, with Zahra Ahmadi back as DS Esther Williams and Dylan Llewellyn returning as PC Kelby Hartford. They are joined by Felicity Montagu as Office Support Margo Martins, Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd, Melina Sinadinou, and Jamie Bamber.
The episode also features several notable guest stars, including:
- Adrian Edmondson (Holby City)
- James Lance (Ted Lasso)
- Jonny Weldon (One Day)
- Vivien Keene
Festive Chaos in Shipton Abbott
While Humphrey's team works to uncover the identity of the mysterious man with his photograph, they must also balance a flurry of other holiday cases. According to the official synopsis, Martha is racing to pull off a secret plan with help from her mother Anne and a special guest. Meanwhile, PC Kelby Hartford finds himself trying to assist a man who has become trapped inside a snowman costume.
With an influx of unexpected visitors and a slew of holiday crimes to solve, the team must juggle it all while heading towards a life-changing reveal. Kris Marshall praised the tradition of the British Christmas special, calling it a "uniquely British thing." He added, "What's brilliant about Christmas for shows is that it's like all the best episodes are rolled into one... They're often also standalone stories, nicely wrapped up in a heartwarming bow designed to make everyone watching feel good."
