New detective to lead Death in Paradise
Det. Inspector Mervin Wilson arrives at Saint Marie from London, and isn’t overly pleased with his new surroundings…
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Death in Paradise has its new lead detective in Don Gilet (Sherwood, EastEnders, The Beekeeper, Shetland).
Making his debut in a feature-length Christmas special, Gilet will play Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson – who arrives on the idyllic island of Saint Marie from London, and isn’t overly pleased with his new surroundings…
Gilet has recently begun filming in Guadeloupe, alongside returning cast Don Warrington, Shantol Jackson, Ginny Holder, Élizabeth Bourgine and Danny John-Jules.
“Being offered the new lead role in Death in Paradise feels like a deeply loved and incredibly precious jewel has been placed in my hands. This is a big show, with a big heart and the love continually grows for it. It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated. Even during those testing times when every sinew is screaming at me to run off the set and dive into the sea, swimming pool or an ice-cold beer – whichever happens to be closer at the time!” said Gilet.
Tim Key, Executive Producer for Red Planet Pictures, says: “Don is an amazing actor and we’re delighted that he’s joining us as the show enters another exciting new era. We’ve got huge plans for the new series and beyond, and I can’t wait for the audience to meet Mervin and to see what we’ve got in store…”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “We could not be happier to welcome Don to the series. Already known to BBC viewers from the likes of Sherwood, EastEnders, and Doctor Who, he’s long been one of the UK’s most exciting actors. Death in Paradise is in brilliant hands – roll on Christmas!”
The feature-length Christmas special screens in the UK later this year followed by a fourteenth season in 2025. The franchise has also spawned Beyond Paradise, and soon to be joined by Australian spin-off Return to Paradise.
Death in Paradise screens in Australia on BBC First and ABC.
- Tagged with Death In Paradise
9 Responses
Years ago he was in Line Of Beauty – currently on iview (where its been for ages!)
Also years ago, I remember him in 55 Degrees North (with Assumpt^h^h^h^h^h^h^hDervla Kirwan) – doesn’t seem to be available anywhere.
I always feel a bit sorry for the local officers, no matter how good they are they are never going to be made the head detective lol. Also the entire police force of Saint Marie is usually off solving the murder of the week, so too bad if your car gets nicked or your granny wanders off, No time for minor crime lol.
At least he is on the right side of the law doing this gig…he previously played Lucas Johnson on and off in Eastenders…he had murdered a wife with a rake..killed an ex wife’s husband and buried him under a tree in the garden in the main square…then the dog dug the ex up….he then trapped the ex wife in an abandoned building letting her family believe she was dead…turned to drugs and becomes a priest…to say he was “a dodgy geezer with a murky past” is an apt description…and proof of the inevitable dodgy storylines on a soap opera….but I’m looking forward to seeing how he manages to solve the murders on Saint Marie…with a fictional population of around 10,000….there is still plenty of scope for more murders and mayhem.
I’m actually surprised he’s been cast as the good guy. Considered the amount of bad things he has done in EastEnders. So well known in that role and he had made return appearances recently. He’s aged very well as he looks quite young in that picture.
Ralf Little is a very hard act to follow in the role of Inspector, and I don’t know anything about Dan Gilet, having never watched Eastenders.
I was hoping they’d introduce a female inspector this time to replace Neville, that would have been a refreshing change for the series.
Gilet has appeared on Death in Paradise before, on the wrong side of the law in the fourth season.
Those casting this series have done well so far!
I have never heard pf Don Gilet that’s only because I have never watched any of the programs he has been in
I did instantly recognised him from guest roles over the years. He has done 16 years on East Enders and 64 episode of Holby City.