BBC Death in Paradise's Shantol Jackson - From Career Twist to Royal Encounter

Shantol Jackson has captivated audiences as DS Naomi Thomas in Death in Paradise since her debut three years ago. Stepping into the Saint Marie police force, she quickly proved her skills under DI Neville Parker (played by Ralf Little) before earning a promotion to Detective Sergeant. However, away from the cameras, Shantol's life is just as fascinating as her on-screen investigations.

Shantol Jackson’s Death in Paradise Journey

Joining the series at the start of Season 11, Shantol’s character filled the gap left by JP Hooper (Tobi Bakare). Since then, Naomi has been instrumental in solving complex murder cases and even aiding the integration of DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) into the team. However, what many fans might not know is that Shantol initially auditioned for a different role—Ruby Patterson. That part eventually went to Shyko Amos, but the producers saw something special in Shantol and later cast her as Naomi.

Recalling the moment, she shared with The Mirror, “They called to say they had the right role for me. They saw something in me, and I was so grateful. I absolutely love playing Naomi. The murders are all crazy! Each time, I think, ‘How are they going to make this work?’ One of my favorites was when the Commissioner got shot—it was more than just solving the crime; it was emotional.”

Love and Life Away from Saint Marie

Filming Death in Paradise requires spending months in Guadeloupe, which can be challenging for maintaining relationships. In an interview with Hello!, Shantol admitted, “It is a long time to be away, and that makes having a partner quite difficult. I'm hoping to work on that this year. We have biological clocks, so we need to get the ball rolling when it comes to that.”

She emphasized that she needs someone who understands her demanding career, adding, “It has to be somebody who can hop over now and then, who understands that this is my life and can handle something that is a bit difficult.”

From Future Veterinarian to Rising Star

Before acting became her passion, Shantol once envisioned a career in veterinary medicine. However, an unexpected test from her father changed everything. Speaking to Pride Magazine, she recalled, “My dad got a dead frog and told me to dissect it. I looked at the frog, then at my dad, and said, ‘Daddy, I don’t think I’ll be able to be a veterinarian.’”

Realizing her love for storytelling, she joined her school’s drama club, even balancing nursing studies to appease her father’s wishes. However, after seeing her perform on stage, her father became her biggest supporter, fully embracing her dreams.

Meeting Harry and Meghan

Aside from her Death in Paradise fame, Shantol had an unexpected brush with royalty. While attending the Kingston premiere of Bob Marley: One Love, she had a surprise encounter with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Sharing the experience with Hello!, she said, “Meghan and Harry just casually walked past me. I’m sure only the government officials knew they were coming. They were very sweet and very excited. I was dumbstruck because I wasn’t expecting it. I’m like: ‘This never happens.’”

Shantol described the royal couple as approachable, adding, “Of course, there were bodyguards, but if people said hello, they responded with ‘Oh, hi.’ It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, don’t speak to me.’”

Conclusion

From almost becoming a veterinarian to starring in one of the BBC’s biggest crime dramas, Shantol Jackson’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her role as DS Naomi Thomas continues to thrill fans, and with her talent and dedication, her career is bound to reach even greater heights. With dreams of balancing love and work, and memorable encounters like her royal run-in, Shantol’s real life is just as intriguing as any Death in Paradise mystery.

FAQs

1. How long has Shantol Jackson been in Death in Paradise?
She joined the show at the beginning of Season 11 and has been playing DS Naomi Thomas for three years.

2. Did Shantol Jackson originally audition for Naomi Thomas?
No, she first auditioned for Ruby Patterson, but the role went to Shyko Amos. However, producers later cast her as Naomi.

3. Where is Shantol Jackson from?
She is from Kingston, Jamaica.

4. What other roles has Shantol Jackson played?
Apart from Death in Paradise, she starred in Idris Elba’s film Yardie.

5. Did Shantol Jackson really meet Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?
Yes! She unexpectedly ran into them at the Kingston premiere of Bob Marley: One Love and was pleasantly surprised by their friendliness.