Death in Paradise Extras Share Behind-the-Scenes Stories from Guadeloupe Set
An extra who appeared in the beloved BBC series Death in Paradise has opened up about their unique experience working on the show, including memorable encounters with its stars. Mike Mitchell and his wife Liz, avid fans of the murder-mystery drama, first travelled to Guadeloupe in 2022, where the series is filmed, and serendipitously crossed paths with the production crew.
From Superfans to Supporting Artists
Extras, also known as supporting artists, are often utilised in scenes requiring crowds to enhance realism, typically without speaking lines. Upon discovering the crew on location, Mike seized the opportunity to inquire about becoming extras. He told The Express: 'I asked if we could be extras and they said, "Of course you can."' Four months later, the couple returned and were cast as extras, granting them access to meet the entire cast.
Mike and Liz, who have visited Guadeloupe three times, are not just casual viewers but dedicated superfans. They shared their experiences of interacting with key cast members on set, including Ralf Little and Don Warrington. Death in Paradise launched in October 2011 and has since become a firm favourite among audiences, consistently drawing millions of viewers in the UK alone.
Meeting the Cast: Rum and Stories
One of the highlights for the couple was meeting Don Warrington, who has portrayed Commissioner Selwyn Patterson since the show's inception. Mike recounted: 'We've met Don Warrington. Don used to come and join us for a drink in the bar at the hotel in the evening. He'd go to the hotel and have a meal, on his own usually, and then he'd come to the bar where we were sitting. We'd sit and drink rum together and tell stories.'
The couple also had a friendly interaction with Ralf Little, who starred as DI Neville Parker from 2020 until his departure in 2024. Mike said: 'Ralf came and stood next to us and he said, "Good luck. I hope it goes well." He was very encouraging. Afterwards we all just had a bit of a chit-chat.' On their final day, they drove into Deshaies to watch filming outside the iconic police station.
Additionally, they crossed paths with other cast members, including Shantol Jackson (DS Naomi Thomas), Ginny Holder (Officer Darlene Curtis), and Tahj Miles (Officer Marlon Pryce). Mike noted that they have maintained contact with Ginny Holder, who still messages them. 'We stayed in touch with Ginny, she still messages us now. They're all really nice people,' he shared.
Exploring Guadeloupe: Reality vs. Fiction
During their third visit in 2024, Mike and Liz encountered current lead actor Don Gilet (DI Mervin Wilson) and Élizabeth Bourgine, who plays Catherine Bordey. Mike has also broken down the differences between the real-life island of Guadeloupe and the fictional Saint Marie depicted on screen. He explained: 'When you go there, you won't find street parties and dancing on the street or spicy food. That's just for Saint Marie alone, not for Guadeloupe. That's the biggest difference between on screen and actually being there. Other than that, everything is what you see – just beautiful.'
The show is filmed for a limited number of months each year, but the island welcomes tourists year-round, allowing visitors to explore filming locations like Catherine's Bar when not in use. Mike became a fan during lockdown and, on one of his visits, the crew showed him around key spots, while he and Liz discovered others 'by accident.' He has visited recognisable sites such as the Botanical Gardens, the zoo, and a lighthouse featured in the series, even seeing the location of a murder that took place in a radio station.
Mike added: 'We found the commissioner's office, which is not in Deshaies, it's about 30 minutes down the road. We found a lot of locations just by accident. We looked for the radio station and the lighthouse, just to give us something to do on the day out because it's beautiful to look at. The one thing about Death in Paradise is there's no smoke and mirrors. What you see on the screen is what is actually there.'
Insider Knowledge and New Additions
Furthermore, Mike revealed that his familiarity with the island has grown so much that he can spot when a character is heading in the wrong direction on the show and knows the realistic walking times between locations. He noted that most filming occurs on the west side of Guadeloupe, which aligns with the show's paradise theme, as the east side is marshy and less picturesque.
Meanwhile, the latest series introduces new sergeant Mattie Fletcher, played by Catherine Garton. Speaking ahead of the series, the actress expressed her love for Guadeloupe: 'I didn't quite know what to anticipate, then it exceeded any expectations I could have had. I love the island. Guadeloupe is like a postcard. It's quite unreal. Every time I walked out I was like “this exists, wow!” It’s absolutely stunning. Everyone's nice. I love the culture. The food's great.' She described her character as 'tenacious' and 'sassy,' akin to a big sister figure.
Death in Paradise continues to air on BBC One and iPlayer, captivating audiences with its blend of mystery and tropical scenery.
