The Death in Paradise universe is set to expand further than the Caribbean and Devon with its latest spinoff series Return to Paradise.
The new addition to the DiP family is heading Down Under to Australia and will be picking up the baton from Beyond Paradise, which became the franchise's first spinoff in 2023.
A new show means a new lead detective to join Death in Paradise's Don Gilet in the 'Paraverse'. But who will be leading the Return to Paradise cast, and when will this new leg of murder mystery tales arrive?
Here's everything we know about Return to Paradise.
Who has been cast in Return to Paradise?
Unlike Beyond Paradise, which welcomed the return of Kris Marshall's Humphrey and Sally Bretton's Martha in a spinoff series, Return to Paradise will introduce fans to a new crop of characters.
The latest addition to the 'Paraverse' will be frontlined by Home and Away's Anna Samson, who will be playing DI Mackenzie Clarke.
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She will be joined by Tai Hara, another former Home and Away star who's been cast as Mackenzie's jilted ex-fiancée Glenn.
Ted Lasso's Lloyd Griffith will join the team Down Under in an undisclosed role, and the cast will be filled out with the following actors, whose character details are yet to be confirmed:
• Catherine McClements
• Celia Ireland
• Andrea Demetriades
• Aaron McGrath
Where is Return to Paradise filmed?
Return to Paradise is set in the beachside hamlet of Dolphin Cove and is being filmed in various locations across Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region.
The new batch of murder mystery stories will no doubt embrace its idyllic surroundings through its storytelling, much in the same way that both Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise have done with the Caribbean and Cornwall and Devon respectively.
In a press release, ABC's head of screen Rachel Okine said: "We are thrilled to be partnering with BBC Studios Productions Australia and Red Planet Pictures to bring a unique Australian sensibility to this beloved franchise.
"Return to Paradise promises to be whip smart, intriguing and entertaining – audiences of all ages are invited to play along to figure out whodunit, all while feeling as if they've been transported to the perfect summer holiday."
When is Return to Paradise coming out on BBC?
The Death in Paradise spinoff Return to Paradise is scheduled to debut in 2024 on BBC One and its streaming service iPlayer in the UK, as well as ABC and ABC iview in Australia.
Like Beyond Paradise, the debut season will consist of six episodes. Unfortunately, an exact release date has not been announced yet.
However, we would expect the new show to arrive before the Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise Christmas specials drop in December, so fans could be looking at an autumn release date.
Filming wrapped in July 2024, making an autumn debut seem even more likely as we assume post-production won't need to be extensive. Fingers crossed we get some news soon – and we'll be sure to update you the minute we do.
What is Return to Paradise about?
According to the BBC, Return to Paradise "combines the DNA of the original global smash hit murder mystery series, with a new, unique Australian take". This is great news for fans who will be excited by the blend of familiar and new.
For those looking for a bit more insight into Mackenzie's corner of the 'Paraverse,' the spinoff's synopsis reads: "Australian ex-pat Mackenzie Clarke is the seemingly golden girl of the London Metropolitan police force – with an intuitive approach to detective work, she has built a reputation for being able to crack the most impossible of cases.
"However, she's suddenly forced to up sticks and move back to her childhood home of Dolphin Cove, a beautiful, coastal paradise... and Mackenzie's worst nightmare."
The synopsis continues: "Having escaped her hometown at the earliest opportunity six years ago, Mack vowed she'd never come back, leaving a lot of unfinished business and unanswered questions.
"On her return she's still no fan of the town, and the people of Dolphin Cove are certainly no fans of hers. In fact everyone would prefer her not to be there, including Mackenzie herself.
"But when a murder takes place in Dolphin Cove, Mack can't help but put her inspired detective brilliance to good use and determines, despite her reservations, that she needs to make the best of it, including tying up the loose ends with the man she left at the altar six years ago."
Return to Paradise is awaiting a release date. Death in Paradise and its spin-off, Beyond Paradise, both air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
