Is Death in Paradise’s Diversity Progress Real or Tokenistic?

Does Death in Paradise’s diversity hold up? From Sara Martins to Don Gilet, explore its casting, 2015 award, and 2021 critique. Are non-white leads enough? Read now.

Introduction

Death in Paradise has charmed millions with its Caribbean mysteries, but its approach to diversity has sparked debate. From Sara Martins’ early role as Camille Bordey to Don Gilet’s groundbreaking casting as the first Black lead detective in Season 14, the show has been praised and criticized. A 2015 diversity award celebrated its inclusive cast, yet a 2021 Guardian critique called it a “museum piece” for colonial undertones. With X fans vocal about Season 14’s non-white leads, this article investigates whether Death in Paradise’s diversity is meaningful or superficial, analyzing casting history, fan sentiment, and industry trends up to May 2025.

Early Diversity Wins: The 2015 Award and Sara Martins’ Role

• 2015 Diversity Award: Red Planet Pictures won the Diversity in a Drama Production Award for Death in Paradise in February 2015, with Sara Martins, Danny John-Jules, Don Warrington, and Tobi Bakare accepting. The award recognized the show’s predominantly Black supporting cast, a rarity for BBC primetime.

• Sara Martins as Camille Bordey: As a lead detective sergeant (2011–2014, guest 2021), Martins brought depth to Camille, a French-Caribbean officer. Her chemistry with Ben Miller’s Richard Poole was a fan favorite, but her exit in Season 4 raised questions about sustaining diverse leads.

• Impact on Representation: The show’s early seasons featured Black actors like Martins and Gary Carr in prominent roles, normalizing non-race-specific narratives. Blogger Aydrea Walden praised this as “deeply normal” representation, unlike race-centric stories.

The Guardian’s 2021 Critique: Colonial Undertones

• Criticism of Racial Dynamics: In a January 2021 Guardian essay, Sirin Kale criticized the show’s “white saviour” trope, noting Black supporting characters calling white leads “Sir” and relying on them to solve crimes. This colonial framing felt outdated, despite the diverse cast.

• Formulaic Structure Concerns: Kale argued the show’s reliance on white male detectives (Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, Ralf Little) reinforced stereotypes, with Black characters often in subordinate roles, limiting their agency.

• Fan and Industry Response: Some X posts from 2021 echoed Kale’s critique, with users calling for Black leads, while others defended the show’s escapist charm, citing its 8.14 million average viewers in 2020.

Season 14’s Shift: Don Gilet as the First Black Lead

• Don Gilet’s Casting: In 2024, Don Gilet became DI Mervin Wilson, the first Black lead detective, debuting in the Christmas special. Radio Times called this a “significant turning point,” addressing the “white saviour” critique by placing a Black actor at the helm.

• Fan Sentiment on X: X posts in early 2025 show mixed reactions. Fans praised Gilet’s “streetwise” edge, with one user noting, “Finally, a Black DI leading Saint Marie!” Others expressed concern over losing the show’s “cosy” formula, fearing a tonal shift.

• Narrative Evolution: Gilet’s Mervin Wilson, with a personal storyline involving his birth mother, adds depth beyond the traditional “fish-out-of-water” trope, suggesting a move toward culturally nuanced storytelling.

Supporting Cast Diversity: Shantol Jackson and Beyond

• Shantol Jackson’s Role: Since joining as Naomi Thomas in 2021, Jackson has been a fan favorite, with her Jamaican roots adding authenticity. Her role in Beyond Paradise (2023) further showcases her versatility, but she remains a supporting character.

• Other Key Players: Actors like Don Warrington (Selwyn Patterson) and Danny John-Jules (Dwayne Myers) have been constants, yet often in secondary roles. Tobi Bakare’s return as JP Hooper in Season 14’s first episode (January 2025) reinforces continuity.

• Critique of Supporting Roles: Despite a diverse cast, critics argue Black actors are often sidelined as “sidekicks.” A 2023 Medium post noted the show’s failure to elevate these characters to lead status earlier, echoing Hollywood’s broader diversity issues.

Industry Context: Is Diversity Performative?

• Hollywood’s Diversity Challenges: A 2015 Guardian article highlighted Hollywood’s lag in diverse casting, with shows like Scandal and Empire proving audiences embrace non-white leads. Death in Paradise’s 2015 award aligned with this shift, but progress stalled.

• Performative Casting Risks: The 2024 Standard article on Disney’s live-action films criticized superficial diversity, like casting non-white actors without cultural depth. Death in Paradise risks similar critiques if Gilet’s role doesn’t evolve beyond tokenism.

• X Trends and Viewer Demand: Google Trends data from April 2025 shows spikes in searches for “Death in Paradise diversity” post-Gilet’s casting, reflecting viewer interest in representation. X posts call for more Black writers to ensure authentic narratives.

Future Steps for Authentic Representation

• Need for Diverse Writers: A 2023 Rock & Art article emphasized hiring diverse writers to avoid forced diversity, as seen in shows like The Bold Type. Death in Paradise could benefit from Caribbean voices in its writers’ room.

• Elevating Supporting Characters: Fans on X suggest promoting characters like Naomi Thomas or Dwayne Myers to lead roles, leveraging their established arcs to deepen representation without altering the show’s formula.

• Balancing Tradition and Progress: Producer Tim Key noted in 2021 that the show’s “healthy” ratings (8.14 million in 2020) justify its formula, but evolving narratives could retain its audience while addressing critiques.

FAQs

Has Death in Paradise improved its diversity since 2015?

The 2015 Diversity Award recognized its inclusive cast, with actors like Sara Martins and Don Warrington. Don Gilet’s 2024 casting as the first Black lead marks progress, but critics argue supporting roles still lack agency. X fans praise the shift but demand more authentic storytelling.

What did The Guardian’s 2021 critique say about Death in Paradise?

Sirin Kale’s 2021 Guardian essay criticized the show’s “white saviour” trope, with Black characters calling white leads “Sir” and relying on them to solve crimes. Despite a diverse cast, the colonial dynamics felt outdated, sparking debate among fans on X.

Why is Don Gilet’s casting significant for Season 14?

As the first Black lead detective, Don Gilet’s DI Mervin Wilson in Season 14 (2024–2025) addresses the “white saviour” critique. X fans celebrate his “edgy” role, but some worry it may shift the show’s cosy tone, per Radio Times.

Are there enough Black leads in Death in Paradise?

Despite a diverse supporting cast, Death in Paradise had no Black lead until Don Gilet in 2024. Critics and X users argue for elevating characters like Naomi Thomas, citing Hollywood’s broader issue of sidelining Black actors in secondary roles.

How can Death in Paradise avoid performative diversity?

Hiring Caribbean writers, as suggested in a 2023 Rock & Art article, could ensure authentic narratives. Fans on X also call for promoting established Black characters to leads, balancing the show’s formula with deeper cultural representation.

Summary

Death in Paradise’s diversity journey is a mix of progress and pitfalls. The 2015 Diversity Award celebrated its inclusive cast, led by Sara Martins and others, but The Guardian’s 2021 critique exposed colonial undertones. Don Gilet’s 2024 casting as the first Black lead in Season 14 is a milestone, praised on X, yet critics warn against tokenism without authentic storytelling. Shantol Jackson and others shine in supporting roles, but elevating them could further progress. As viewers demand more in 2025, hiring diverse writers is key. Share your thoughts on Death in Paradise’s diversity below!