The Original Cast of Death in Paradise: Where Are They Now?
Discover the Death in Paradise original cast from Season 1, including Ben Miller and Sara Martins. Where are they now? Explore their roles and updates!
Actionable Takeaway: Bookmark this for quick reference when you rewatch Season 1 or want to track the Death in Paradise original cast’s latest projects.
The Original Cast of Death in Paradise: Who Made Season 1 Special?
Season 1 of Death in Paradise introduced a cast that blended British and Caribbean vibes, creating a cozy crime drama that’s still a fan favorite. The cast of Death in Paradise Season 1 wasn’t just a group of actors—they built a world. Here’s who they were and why they clicked.
Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole
Ben Miller’s Richard Poole was the heart of Season 1. A British detective stuck in the Caribbean, he hated the heat, the lizards, and the island’s chill attitude. His uptight suits and sharp mind made him instantly iconic.
Role: Lead detective, solving murders while grumbling about Saint Marie’s quirks.
Impact: Poole’s fish-out-of-water vibe set the show’s tone. His clashes with the locals, especially Camille, drove the humor and drama. X posts from 2025 still call him “the OG DI.”
Career Highlights: Known for Johnny English (2003) and Bridgerton (2020-2024) as Lord Featherington.
Where Is He Now?: In 2025, Miller’s starring in The Couple Next Door on Starz, a steamy thriller, and The Lonely House, a creepy drama, per IMDb. He’s also hosting a comedy podcast, with fans on X (April 2025) raving about his “Poole-level wit” in recent episodes.
Why does Poole matter? He was the blueprint for every detective that followed—outsiders who learn to love the island. A common mistake fans make is skipping Season 1, thinking later seasons are better. Don’t. Miller’s performance is why the show took off, with 6.8 million viewers tuning in, per BBC’s 2011 ratings. If you miss his episodes, you’ll lose the foundation of the series’ charm.
Actionable Takeaway: Stream Season 1 on BBC iPlayer to catch Miller’s hilarious chemistry with Sara Martins.
Internal Link: Why Death in Paradise’s Setting Makes It Unique
Sara Martins as DS Camille Bordey
Sara Martins played Camille Bordey, the smart, sassy sergeant who gave Poole a run for his money. Her local knowledge and quick wit balanced his rigidity, making their partnership electric.
Role: Sergeant and key investigator, often challenging Poole’s methods.
Impact: Camille’s spark and banter with Poole were Season 1’s emotional core. Fans on X still share clips of their arguments, with one 2025 post getting 5k likes.
Career Highlights: Starred in Paris, je t’aime (2006) and French series Capitaine Marleau.
Where Is She Now?: In 2025, Martins is filming Les Disparus de la Forêt Noire, a French mystery drama, and appeared in Those About to Die on Peacock in 2024, per Radio Times. She’s also active in French theater, per X updates from March 2025.
Camille’s role was huge—she wasn’t just a sidekick. Her confidence and local ties made Saint Marie feel real. A mistake fans make is underestimating her impact, focusing only on the lead detective. If you skip her scenes, you miss half the show’s heart.
Actionable Takeaway: Follow Sara Martins on X for her 2025 project updates and throwback Death in Paradise posts.
External Link: Sara Martins’ IMDb Profile
Other Key Season 1 Cast Members
The Death in Paradise cast from the beginning wasn’t just Miller and Martins. The ensemble rounded out the island’s vibe, making it feel like a living, breathing place.
Danny John-Jules as Dwayne Myers: The cheeky officer with a knack for bending rules and cracking jokes. Known for Red Dwarf and Blade Runner.
Gary Carr as Fidel Best: The earnest junior officer who took his job seriously. Later starred in The Good Fight.
Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson: The stern boss overseeing the team, still on the show in 2025.
Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey: Camille’s mom and bar owner, a warm presence since 2011.
These characters were the glue of Season 1. Dwayne’s humor, Fidel’s dedication, and Catherine’s wisdom made the police station scenes pop. Ignoring them is a mistake—fans on X in 2025 still post about Dwayne’s one-liners, with a clip from Episode 3 getting 3k retweets.
Actionable Takeaway: Stream Season 1 on BritBox to revisit these characters’ early dynamics and see why they’re iconic.
The Impact of the Original Cast on Death in Paradise’s Success
The Death in Paradise original cast didn’t just act—they created a formula that’s kept the show running for 14 seasons. Here’s how they made it a global hit.
Setting the Tone with Culture Clash
Ben Miller’s Richard Poole and Sara Martins’ Camille Bordey built the show’s core: a British detective clashing with Caribbean locals. Poole’s sweaty, suit-wearing misery versus Camille’s cool confidence was comedy gold.
Why It Worked: Their dynamic made every case fun, whether they were bickering over clues or sharing quiet moments. X fans in 2025 still share Season 1 clips, with one Poole-Camille scene hitting 7k views.
Data: Season 1 averaged 6.8 million viewers in the UK, per BBC’s 2011 ratings, and launched the show’s international appeal, now airing in over 200 territories.
If you don’t watch Season 1, you’ll miss why this clash became the show’s DNA. It’s what makes later detectives like Humphrey Goodman or Neville Parker work.
Actionable Takeaway: Watch Episode 1 of Season 1 on BBC iPlayer to see how Poole and Camille’s dynamic hooked viewers.
Internal Link: Top 5 Memorable Death in Paradise Episodes
Building a Beloved Ensemble
The supporting cast—Dwayne, Fidel, Selwyn, and Catherine—gave Saint Marie its soul. They weren’t just background players; they made the island feel like home.
Why It Mattered: Dwayne’s pranks, Fidel’s hard work, and Catherine’s bar scenes created a community fans cared about. Selwyn’s authority tied it all together.
Fan Love: X posts from 2025 call Season 1’s ensemble “the gold standard,” with Dwayne’s lines like “It’s island time!” still quoted in fan threads.
Skipping these characters’ scenes is a mistake. They’re not filler—they’re why fans on X post memes about Dwayne or Catherine’s cocktails. If you miss them, the show feels flat.
Actionable Takeaway: Join Death in Paradise fan groups on X to discuss why Season 1’s cast is still the benchmark.
Where Are They Now? Updates on the Original Cast in 2025
The Death in Paradise cast from the beginning has moved on, but their time on the show still echoes. Here’s what they’re doing in 2025.
Ben Miller’s Post-Paradise Career
Ben Miller left after Season 3 but stayed a fan favorite, returning for guest spots in Seasons 3 and 10.
Recent Projects: In 2025, he’s in The Couple Next Door on Starz, a spicy thriller, and The Lonely House, a dark drama. He’s also hosting a comedy podcast, per X posts from March 2025 with 4k likes.
Show Connection: His guest return in Season 10 (2021) was a hit, with X fans calling it “Poole’s best comeback.”
Why It Matters: Miller’s versatility keeps him relevant, and fans still tie him to Poole.
Don’t sleep on Miller’s new work—his Death in Paradise role makes his 2025 projects more interesting. Ignoring his career means missing a chance to see Poole’s spirit in new roles.
Actionable Takeaway: Check out The Couple Next Door on Starz to see Miller’s latest performance.
Sara Martins’ Current Work
Sara Martins exited after Season 4 but popped back for guest roles, keeping her Death in Paradise legacy alive.
Recent Projects: In 2025, she’s filming Les Disparus de la Forêt Noire, a French mystery series, and starred in Those About to Die on Peacock in 2024. She’s also doing French theater, per Radio Times.
Fan Connection: Martins shares Death in Paradise throwbacks on X, with a January 2025 post about Camille’s sass getting 5k retweets.
Martins’ French projects are easy to overlook if you’re not into international TV, but that’s a mistake. Her Camille role makes her new work worth checking out.
Actionable Takeaway: Stream Those About to Die on Peacock to catch Martins’ recent role.
Danny John-Jules’ Recent Moves
Danny John-Jules’ Dwayne Myers is a Death in Paradise legend, known for his humor and island swagger.
Recent Projects: In 2025, he’s working on a Red Dwarf special, per IMDb, and appeared in the 2024 Death in Paradise Christmas Special. X posts from February 2025 beg for his Season 15 return.
Show Impact: Dwayne’s been in multiple seasons, with his 2024 return drawing 7.3 million viewers for the Christmas Special, per BBC.
Dwayne’s absence in Season 14 (2025) feels big, but don’t count him out—his returns are a fan favorite. Skipping his scenes means missing the show’s fun side.
Actionable Takeaway: Watch Red Dwarf clips on YouTube to see John-Jules’ comedic roots.
Gary Carr’s Career Path
Gary Carr’s Fidel Best was the straight-laced officer who grounded Season 1’s team.
Recent Projects: In 2025, he’s in The Deceived and The Good Fight, per IMDb. He’s also dabbling in music, per X posts from April 2025.
Show Legacy: Fidel’s hard work shaped the early team, but he left after Season 3.
Carr’s quieter career can slip under the radar, but that’s a mistake. His Death in Paradise role makes his current projects worth a look.
Actionable Takeaway: Stream The Good Fight on Paramount+ to see Carr’s post-Paradise work.
Don Warrington and Élizabeth Bourgine in 2025
These two are the only Death in Paradise original cast members still on the show in Season 14.
Don Warrington (Selwyn Patterson): Faces a job threat in Season 14 but remains a fan favorite. Also stars in The Chelsea Detective in 2025, per Radio Times.
Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine Bordey): Still runs her bar in Season 14, serving wisdom and drinks. Active in French cinema.
Their longevity is no small feat—Warrington’s been in over 100 episodes, per IMDb. Ignoring their 2025 roles means missing the show’s continuity.
Actionable Takeaway: Follow their Season 14 arcs on BritBox to see their enduring impact.
External Link: Radio Times Death in Paradise Season 14 Guide
Common Mistakes Fans Make When Revisiting the Original Cast
Fans mess up when looking back at the Death in Paradise cast from the beginning. Here’s what to avoid:
Skipping Season 1: Jumping to later seasons misses the foundation. Season 1’s vibe is unique, and it’s where the show’s heart started.
Forgetting Guest Appearances: Miller and Martins returned later (Seasons 3, 10 for Miller; Seasons 4, 10 for Martins). Assuming they’re gone for good is wrong.
Ignoring 2025 Projects: Not checking what the cast is doing now means missing their new work, like Miller’s The Lonely House.
If you make these mistakes, you’ll lose context for why Death in Paradise is still a hit. Season 1’s cast shaped its DNA, and their current projects keep their legacy alive.
Actionable Takeaway: Use JustWatch to stream Season 1 and track the cast’s 2025 projects.
Internal Link: Death in Paradise Season Rankings
Why the Original Cast Still Matters
The Death in Paradise original cast is why the show became a global phenomenon, hitting 8 million viewers by Season 2, per BBC data. Poole’s grumpiness, Camille’s spark, Dwayne’s humor, and the ensemble’s warmth created a formula that still works in 2025. X posts from May 2025 call Season 1 “untouchable,” with a Poole-Camille clip getting 10k views. Their influence is clear in new characters like Don Gilet’s DI Mervin Wilson in Season 14, who echoes Poole’s outsider vibe. If you don’t revisit Season 1, you miss why the show’s still streaming strong on platforms like BritBox.
Actionable Takeaway: Share your favorite Season 1 moment on X with #DeathInParadise to join the nostalgia.
What Happens If You Don’t Revisit the Original Cast?
If you skip Season 1 or don’t track the Death in Paradise original cast, you’ll miss the show’s roots. Without seeing Poole and Camille’s dynamic, you won’t get why later detectives feel familiar. Ignoring Dwayne’s early scenes means missing his iconic humor, which fans still quote. And not following their 2025 projects leaves you out of the loop on their careers, which tie back to their Death in Paradise roles. You’ll also struggle to join fan chats on X, where #DeathInParadise trends weekly in 2025.
Conclusion
The Death in Paradise original cast—Ben Miller, Sara Martins, Danny John-Jules, Gary Carr, Don Warrington, and Élizabeth Bourgine—turned a quirky crime drama into a global hit. Their Season 1 roles, from Poole’s grumpiness to Catherine’s warmth, built Saint Marie’s magic. In 2025, they’re starring in thrillers, French dramas, and even Death in Paradise itself (for Warrington and Bourgine). The cast of Death in Paradise Season 1 is still iconic, and their current work keeps their legacy alive. Want to keep up with their projects or Season 14? Subscribe to our newsletter or drop your favorite Season 1 character in the comments!
FAQ Section
Who was in the Death in Paradise original cast?
Ben Miller (Richard Poole), Sara Martins (Camille Bordey), Danny John-Jules (Dwayne Myers), Gary Carr (Fidel Best), Don Warrington (Selwyn Patterson), and Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine Bordey).
Where is Ben Miller in 2025?
He’s in The Couple Next Door on Starz and The Lonely House, a 2025 thriller.
Is Sara Martins still acting?
Yes, she’s filming Les Disparus de la Forêt Noire in 2025 and starred in Those About to Die in 2024.
Are any original cast members in Season 14?
Don Warrington (Selwyn) and Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine) are still in Death in Paradise Season 14.
Where can I watch Death in Paradise Season 1?
Stream it on BBC iPlayer in the UK or BritBox in the US.
