Death in Paradise Star Josephine Jobert Sends Heartfelt Support to Co-Star Shantol Jackson

Josephine Jobert Cheers on Shantol Jackson After BBC's The One Show Appearance

Josephine Jobert, beloved for her role as DS Florence Cassell in BBC's long-running hit Death in Paradise, has once again shown her warmth and camaraderie by supporting her former co-star, Shantol Jackson. The actress took to social media to praise Shantol following her appearance on BBC’s The One Show.

A Sweet Message from Josephine Jobert

Josephine, who left the island drama during season 13, made sure to express her admiration for Shantol Jackson’s performance. Taking to Instagram, she wrote:

“My queen! You also carry the show so well. Proud of you!”

This heartwarming message came after Shantol spoke highly of Death in Paradise’s newest lead, Don Gilet, who stepped in as DI Mervin after Ralf Little’s departure.

Shantol Jackson Praises Don Gilet’s Seamless Transition

Shantol, who portrays DS Naomi Thomas, shared insights into Don Gilet’s smooth transition into the show’s leading role. During her interview on The One Show, she had nothing but glowing words for her new co-star:

“He's a really good number one. He carries the show well. He cares about the characters, and he cares about the story, so it's good fun on set with Don.”

When asked about adjusting to a new lead after Ralf Little’s exit, she added:

“It’s fine, actually. The main thing for us was to ensure that Don felt comfortable because it’s not about any one person. Death in Paradise is a massive show. I didn’t even realize how big it was until now! Our goal was to help him settle in so that fans continue to love the show.”

Don Gilet’s Quick Adaptation to His Role

According to Shantol, Don Gilet wasted no time adjusting to his role as DI Mervin. Within just two weeks of filming the 2025 Christmas special, he had already found his rhythm. She revealed:

“Two weeks into filming, and he was fine! We have great banter on and off set. Don is really fun to work with.”

New Detective, New Drama: Don Gilet Teases Season 14’s Unique Arc

In a separate interview with ITV’s Lorraine, Don Gilet offered deeper insights into his character’s journey in season 14. His detective, Mervin, joins the Saint Marie police force on a three-month contract to investigate his mother’s mysterious death.

He explained:

“What’s different about this storyline is that there’s an arc. The detective isn’t just solving cases—he’s on a personal journey. He’s originally there to find out what happened to his mother. But the longer he stays, the harder it becomes to leave. There’s tension, reluctance, and a lot of internal conflict.”

This new dynamic promises to add fresh depth to Death in Paradise, making season 14 one of the most emotionally gripping yet.

What’s Next for Death in Paradise?

With Josephine Jobert showing continued love for her former castmates and Don Gilet bringing a brand-new perspective to the role of lead detective, the excitement for Death in Paradise season 14 is at an all-time high.

Fans can catch new episodes of Death in Paradise every Friday at 9 PM on BBC One.