What’s next for Humphrey in Beyond Paradise Season 4?
Beyond Paradise Season 4 filming begins in Cornwall with Kris Marshall returning. Read now!
Introduction
Beyond Paradise, the Death in Paradise spin-off that’s easy to sink into, started filming its fourth season in Cornwall in July 2025, per The Express (2025). Kris Marshall is back as DI Humphrey Goodman, with Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd, after Season 3’s 3.2 million viewers tuned in for their quirky detective work (BARB, May 2025). Fans on X, like @tvfanatic23 on July 20, 2025, went wild over a “BP Unit” sign spotted at St Mellion Golf Club, shouting, “Humphrey’s back!”. Why’s this a big deal? The show’s mix of cozy crimes and personal drama, set in the fictional Shipton Abbott, keeps BBC One’s audience hooked. But swapping Saint Marie’s sun for Devon’s coast could fumble if the charm fades. Let’s break down the filming news, cast, plot hints, and what might trip up Season 4, using web sources and fan chatter.
Filming Locations and Schedule
Filming kicked off in July 2025 and runs through November, mainly in Cornwall’s Looe and Launceston, per Digital Spy (2025). A “BP Unit” sign at St Mellion Golf Club and notices around East and West Looe confirm production, per The Express. Past seasons used Looe’s Guildhall as Shipton Abbott’s police station and Calstock for town scenes, per Find That Location (2024).
Why’s this matter? Cornwall’s harbors and quays give the show its cozy vibe, boosting local tourism, per The Telegraph (2024). How’s it done? Authentic spots like Looe’s Fore Street ground the fictional Devon setting. Mistakes? Repetitive scenery, like Season 3’s overused harbor shots, annoyed fans on X in 2025. If locations don’t vary, the show’s 7.4/10 IMDb rating could dip.
Returning Cast and New Faces
Kris Marshall leads as Humphrey, with Sally Bretton as Martha, Zahra Ahmadi as DS Esther Williams, Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kelby Hartford, Felicity Montagu as Margo Martins, and Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd, per Radio Times (2025). A Taskmaster icon joins as a guest star, per IMDb (2025). Jamie Bamber returns as Archie Hughes after Season 1.
Why’s this exciting? The ensemble’s banter, especially Marshall’s bumbling Humphrey, drives the show, per The Guardian (2023). How’s it cast? Retaining core actors ensures familiarity. Mistakes? Underusing talents like Ahmadi, whose Season 3 role felt thin per 2025 Reddit threads, risks fan frustration. If new guests overshadow the main cast, the 3.2 million viewer base might shrink.
Plot Speculation for Season 4
No official plot details exist, but Season 3’s fostering arc with Rosie, who left Humphrey and Martha, suggests their family journey will continue, per Collider (2025). Expect local mysteries, like Season 3’s “Devil’s Hump” case, tied to Shipton Abbott’s myths, per Wales Online (2025). Esther’s personal life may also grow, per the Season 3 synopsis.
Why’s this engaging? Blending crimes with character arcs keeps viewers invested, per Variety (2024). How’s it written? Quirky cases balance Humphrey’s chaos, like Season 2’s boatyard murder. Mistakes? Season 3’s heavy fostering drama felt “soapy” to X fans in 2025. If Season 4 leans too domestic, it risks losing the 4/5 Telegraph crime focus.
How It Compares to Death in Paradise
Beyond Paradise swaps Death in Paradise’s tropical Saint Marie (8.9 million viewers, BARB, 2025) for Shipton Abbott’s Devon charm, launched in 2023 with 8.7 million viewers, per The Standard (2025). It leans harder into Humphrey’s personal life, like fostering, over exotic murders, per Wikipedia (2025). A Christmas special is planned for December 2025.
Why’s this distinct? Smaller stakes make it cozier, per The Telegraph (2024). How’s it different? Less cultural clash, more local gossip, unlike Death in Paradise’s fish-out-of-water vibe. Mistakes? Fans on Reddit in 2025 called Season 3 “too tame” compared to Death in Paradise’s murders. If Season 4 skips bold cases, it could lose crossover fans.
Production Costs and Challenges
Filming in Cornwall, like Pentillie Castle or Mothecombe Beach, costs more than Death in Paradise’s Guadeloupe shoots, per Wikipedia (2025). BBC’s budget reflects Beyond Paradise’s 3.2 million viewer success, per BARB (2025). Filming from July to November ensures six episodes and a Christmas special, per Radio Times (2025).
Why’s this tough? High costs strain BBC dramas, per Variety (2024). How’s it handled? Efficient schedules, like Season 3’s August-to-November shoot. Mistakes? Prioritizing visuals over story risks filler—2025 X posts griped about Season 3’s “slow” episodes. If Season 4 cuts script quality, BBC iPlayer streams could drop.
Fan Buzz and Social Media
X posts on July 21, 2025, from @digitalspy shared the “BP Unit” sign, with @westcountrytv replying, “Love seeing Looe on TV!”. Reddit threads praised Humphrey’s humor but criticized Season 3’s “overdone” drama, per IMDb (2025). Google Trends shows Beyond Paradise searches jumped in July 2025 after filming news.
Why’s this vital? Fan hype fuels ratings, per The Hollywood Reporter (2024). How’s it sparked? Fan accounts like @beyondparadisefans share updates. Mistakes? Ignoring calls for more mysteries, per 2025 X posts, could alienate viewers. If Season 4 doesn’t deliver whodunits, the 3.2 million viewer core might shrink.
Risks of Losing Its Cozy Vibe
Beyond Paradise’s 7.4/10 IMDb rating hinges on light mysteries and Humphrey’s quirks, per The Guardian (2023). Season 3’s fostering and IVF plots split fans, with The Telegraph (2024) calling it “uneven.” Season 4 must avoid heavy drama to match Death in Paradise’s fun, per Radio Times (2025).
Why’s this hard? Fans crave Death in Paradise’s levity, per 2025 Reddit threads. How’s it preserved? Local cases, like Season 3’s smuggling mystery, keep it grounded. Mistakes? Too much personal drama, like Martha’s arc, annoyed X fans in 2025. If Season 4 feels like a soap opera, BBC One’s ratings could slip.
FAQs
When did Beyond Paradise Season 4 start filming?
Filming began in July 2025 in Cornwall, running until November, per The Express (2025).
Who’s returning for Beyond Paradise Season 4?
Kris Marshall, Sally Bretton, Zahra Ahmadi, Dylan Llewellyn, and Felicity Montagu, per Digital Spy (2025).
What’s the plot of Beyond Paradise Season 4?
No details yet, but expect Humphrey’s cases and family arcs, per Collider (2025).
Where is Beyond Paradise Season 4 filmed?
Mainly in Looe, Cornwall, with spots like St Mellion Golf Club, per The Express (2025).
Is there a Beyond Paradise Christmas special?
Yes, set for December 2025, per Radio Times (2025).
Could Season 4 lose Beyond Paradise’s charm?
Yes, if it’s too dramatic, per 2025 Reddit threads and The Guardian (2023).
Conclusion
Beyond Paradise Season 4 is filming in Cornwall, with Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton back as Humphrey and Martha, per Digital Spy (July 21, 2025). Season 3’s 3.2 million viewers (BARB, 2025) loved its cozy crimes, but X posts in 2025 grumbled about “soapy” fostering arcs. Looe and St Mellion Golf Club set the stage, but BBC must balance mysteries with personal drama to keep the 7.4/10 IMDb vibe. A December 2025 Christmas special adds buzz, per Radio Times. Will Season 4 nail the Death in Paradise charm or lean too domestic? Drop your thoughts or binge Seasons 1-3 on BBC iPlayer
