Death in Paradise has confirmed the departure of Ginny Holder's character Darlene, with a new police officer joining the series. Actress Catherine Garton will play Police Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, filling the void left by Darlene's absence.
Darlene was notably missing from the Christmas special, appearing only via video link. The cast addressed the exit in an exclusive chat, with Shantol Jackson, who plays DS Naomi Thomas, saying: 'We'll miss her. Ginny's character was like the Queen Mother.' Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, who plays Officer Sebastian Rose, added: 'She was the auntie.'
Jackson praised Garton's performance, stating: 'Catherine has done so exceptionally well that you don't feel like there is an empty gap. It doesn't feel like we are missing a person or a character. She has done a really good job in carrying the baton.'
The new series sees Don Gilet return as DI Mervin Wilson, alongside Shantol Jackson, Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, Elizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey, and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah. Guest stars include Sarah Hadland, Siobhan Finneran, and Hermione Norris.
The synopsis reveals that Wilson continues to adjust to Saint Marie while investigating baffling cases. Commissioner Patterson confronts the impact of his absence, and new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher settles in as shadows from her past emerge.
