Death in Paradise's Ardal O'Hanlon might be a hit with fans after replacing Kris Marshall, but the actor and comedian is worried that he may soon suffer the same fate as his predecessor.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy ahead of season eight, Ardal admitted that he thinks the sun-drenched drama could be considering switching him for a woman "as we speak".
"I'm sure that conversation is going on right now," he said. 'Why not get rid of that guy, and get in a woman?'."
Now, that's not because Ardal's DI Jack Mooney isn't popular or anything – it's because Death in Paradise has proven to be so resilient after a number of cast shake-ups.
Related: Death in Paradise deserters: Exactly why everyone quit the BBC series
"I think the show has proved, over the years, with its enduring popularity, that it can survive all sorts of changes. I think it's very, very possible," O'Hanlon explained.
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"The fact that, you know, that this show started with a very uptight, very reserved English stereotype – it morphed into a show with a slightly less reserved fish-out-of-water English stereotype."
Praising the series for taking a "gamble" with casting, Ardal said its decision to create the foil of Kris's character Humphrey Goodman in Jack Mooney was a positive example of "not adhering to the template".
"[Mooney is] an Irish guy who wasn’t uptight or straightjacket in any way. So that was kind of a leap of faith, I think, and trying something slightly different," he said.
"So they are prepared to explore other options. So yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if it was a woman or someone from another ethnic background."
Ardal's co-star Josephine Jobert, who plays Officer Florence Cassell, disagrees, insisting the current formula "works".
"I think they will keep the same dynamic and have a male detective", she countered.
Let's hope that dynamic continues to include Pico the Police Dog, too.
Death in Paradise returns next Thursday (January 10) at 9pm on BBC One.
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