The BBC's Death in Paradise first aired in 2011 and has since become a firm favourite with viewers – but what happened to some of the original cast members?
Death in Paradise has captured the hearts of BBC audiences since its 2011 debut, drawing millions of viewers with its blend of intriguing murder cases and tropical island scenery. The hour-long instalments have kept fans captivated as detectives work to crack killings on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie.
Throughout its run, the programme's founding cast members have achieved widespread recognition both professionally and personally, with several enjoying thriving careers across television, stage and the wider entertainment industry. However, beyond their on-screen roles, their private lives have frequently attracted media attention, from publicised romantic difficulties and marital splits to disputes linked to their participation in Strictly Come Dancing.
As the programme's popularity endures, here's what became of some of the original stars after departing Saint Marie.
Ben Miller
Ben Miller was the inaugural actor to portray a detective on Saint Marie, with numerous successors following. Ben took on the part of Detective Inspector Richard Poole. Initially, the character found it challenging to adjust to Saint Marie's lifestyle and struggled with island existence during the first series, though he eventually grew more accustomed to his environment as time progressed.
His storyline reached a shocking conclusion at the start of series three when he was murdered during a Cambridge University reunion after threatening to expose an identity fraud operation. Ben Miller made the difficult decision to leave Death in Paradise in 2014, prioritising his personal life and impending fatherhood over his career.
The actor previously explained: "Two weeks after I arrived in the Caribbean, Jessica found out that she was pregnant. I've just got divorced and I've finally met somebody and now I'm on the other side of the world and we're having a baby. That's a proper curveball to be on the end of. So I knew what I had to do to get my wife back - quit Death in Paradise!"
Kris Marshall
Following Ben's departure, Kris Marshall - famed for his role in BBC sitcom My Family - took over as the show's lead at the beginning of series three. His character, the endearing DI Humphrey Goodman, settled into island life with ease and fell for DS Camille Bordey.
However, Kris also decided to leave in 2017, admitting that spending extended periods filming abroad had taken its toll on family life. Speaking to Radio Times, he said: "It's something my wife and I discussed three or four years ago. When I was first offered the job, my son was six months old and my wife wasn't working, so it was a very easy decision. We decided I would do Death in Paradise for a few years until it became impractical. It was always quite a finite thing. I certainly didn't hide it from anyone I work with." Kris now headlines the UK-based spin-off series Beyond Paradise.
Danny John-Jules
Danny John-Jules, best known for his role in Red Dwarf, played Officer Dwayne Myers as a cornerstone of the Death in Paradise cast for several series before making a surprise exit at the beginning of Season 8. Within the show's storyline, Dwayne departed Saint Marie to embark on a new chapter with his estranged father following their reunion.
Danny later revealed he made the decision to leave while the show was still riding high, driven by his desire to return to the stage. He went on to compete in the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with professional dancer Amy Dowden, before being eliminated in week eight. His Strictly journey wasn't without controversy, as allegations of a falling-out with Amy surfaced, though these were firmly dismissed. Amy stated: "Things did get a little bit intense the other day in rehearsals. But do you know what, we took a half an hour break and then got straight to it. I've never felt bullied or threatened by Danny." Danny himself also publicly denied any accusations of bullying.
Sara Martins
Elsewhere in the show, Sara Martins' character, former undercover officer Camille, got off to a rocky start with DI Poole, but the two gradually built a solid professional bond, with the occasional hint of something more brewing beneath the surface. Following Poole's exit, Camille continued to work alongside DI Goodman, and the pair eventually shared a kiss before she departed Saint Marie halfway through series four, heading off on an undercover mission in Paris.
Sara later admitted that stepping away from Death in Paradise was an emotional decision, but she felt ready to pursue new opportunities and challenge herself professionally. She also confirmed that killing off the character was never on the cards, keeping the possibility of a comeback very much alive. Since her departure, Sara has gone on to star in projects including American Odyssey, Father Brown and a number of French-language films. Returning for the show's 10th anniversary, she revealed that Camille was a role that had never truly left her.
Ralf Little
Ralf Little stepped into the shoes of Detective Neville Parker, succeeding Father Ted star Ardal O'Hanlon, who had portrayed DI Jack Mooney on the popular BBC series. The actor later revealed on BBC Breakfast that his exit from Death in Paradise had been mapped out well in advance, after five series on the beloved fictional island.
He said: "You know, this last series was always going to be my last series. I spoke to the BBC and Red Planet, the production company, and we all agreed. If it was just a heart decision, I would have wanted to do it for 20 more years. But just for the show and for my character Neville it just sort of felt like his story was finished and his journey deserved to be completed. He deserved a happy ending and it just felt right." The star has since continued pursuing his acting career and is presently showcasing his talents on stage.
Josephine Jobert
Florence Cassell, portrayed by actress Josephine Jobert in Death in Paradise, gradually climbed the ranks within the island's police force. Viewers worried the character might meet her end after Florence was shot while pursuing her fiancé Patrice, who'd got caught up in a fatal murder plot, to an abandoned warehouse. Thankfully, DI Mooney arrived just in time and Florence survived the harrowing incident. Yet, rattled by what happened, she subsequently decided to leave both her detective role and her life on Saint Marie behind.
Joséphine later spoke about leaving the programme, making clear there wasn't any backstage conflict. In a video posted on Twitter, she clarified her departure was down to "personal and professional reasons". She assured supporters that relations remained friendly and expressed how much she'd cherished her time on the series, noting she'd miss the programme and was grateful for all the backing from audiences.
Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
