The sun-drenched shores of Saint Marie are welcoming a fresh face to the Honore Police force. The BBC has unveiled the first official images of the newest recruit joining the cast of its beloved detective drama, Death in Paradise, for its highly anticipated fifteenth season.
A New Sergeant Arrives on Saint Marie
Stepping onto the golden sands is Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, portrayed by up-and-coming actress Catherine Garton, 27. She arrives to partner with the still-settling Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, 58, who made his debut in the 2024 Christmas special. The exclusive snaps show the new sergeant in uniform, looking poised to tackle the island's curiously high murder rate.
Catherine Garton's casting was first revealed by the Daily Mail's Katie Hind last week. The actress, who recently impressed audiences and BBC bosses with her role as Corporal Jane Hart in the Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and Sea, was a natural choice for the part.
An Island Like a Postcard
Speaking ahead of the new series, Garton shared her delight with the show's filming location, the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, which doubles as the fictional Saint Marie. "I didn't quite know what to anticipate, then it exceeded any expectations I could have had," she said. "I love the island. Guadeloupe is like a postcard. It's quite unreal. Every time I walked out I was like 'this exists, wow!'"
She also gushed about her tenacious new character, describing Mattie Fletcher as "sassy" and akin to a "big sister who will tell you what's what, but you can also come to her if you need to."
What to Expect in Season 15
The upcoming series will see DI Wilson continue to adjust to island life while he and the team investigate a fresh wave of baffling cases. His personal life will also see developments as he attempts to connect with his recently discovered half-brother, Solomon, played by Daniel Ward, though their relationship may not be as smooth as hoped.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) will confront the consequences of his recent absence, determined to win back the island's trust with some tough love from Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine). The regular team, including DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah), will be joined by a stellar line-up of guest stars.
The guest cast for the new season includes:
- Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley)
- Hermione Norris (Spooks)
- Steffan Rhodri (Gavin & Stacey)
- Gary Wilmot (Midsomer Murders)
Death in Paradise first aired in 2011, with a succession of lead detectives including Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O'Hanlon, and Ralf Little, before Don Gilet took over the role. The series has also spawned successful spin-offs Beyond Paradise and Return to Paradise.
Death in Paradise returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday, January 30 at 9pm.
