Introduction

If you’re hooked on Death in Paradise, you’re not alone. This quirky British-French crime drama, set on the sunny fictional island of Saint Marie, has pulled in over 8 million viewers for its 2024 season, making it the UK’s top-returning drama last year. Fans love the mix of clever murder mysteries, tropical vibes, and a cast that feels like family—despite the constant cast changes that keep us guessing. From Ben Miller’s fish-out-of-water DI Richard Poole to Don Gilet’s latest stint as DI Mervin Wilson in the 2024 Christmas Special, the actors bring charm and chaos to the set. But what’s it really like filming in Guadeloupe’s heat? Drawing from interviews, fan events, and sources like BBC and IMDb, here’s a peek behind the scenes with stories from the Death in Paradise actors about hilarious mishaps, tough moments, and the magic of making this beloved show.

Filming in Guadeloupe: Heat, Bugs, and Island Life

Filming Death in Paradise sounds like a dream—Caribbean beaches, blue skies, and all that sunshine. But the reality? It’s sweaty, buggy, and intense. Don Gilet, who joined as DI Mervin Wilson in 2024, described it like “going on a scary theme park ride” where the heat hits you from morning to night. Actors have to stay focused while battling 90-degree temperatures and humidity that soaks through costumes. Don Warrington, who’s played Commissioner Selwyn Patterson since 2011, told a fan event that wardrobe often has to swap out shirts mid-scene because sweat patches ruin takes. Common mistake? Underestimating hydration. Actors like Ralf Little, who played DI Neville Parker until 2024, learned the hard way that skipping water breaks leads to dizziness on set, especially during long outdoor shoots.

Then there’s the bugs. Joséphine Jobert, who plays Florence Cassell, shared at a 2023 convention that she once screamed mid-take when a massive mosquito landed on her arm, causing the crew to crack up and ruin the shot. The consequence of not preparing for Guadeloupe’s environment is clear: delays and retakes pile up, frustrating directors. But the cast leans into the chaos, with Danny John-Jules (Dwayne Myers) joking on BBC’s Death in Paradise podcast that he’s become an expert at swatting flies without breaking character. The island’s beauty is worth it, though—Shantol Jackson (DS Naomi Thomas) said the stunning beaches make even the toughest days feel like a privilege.

Cast Chemistry: Building Bonds Amid Turnover

The show’s revolving door of detectives—Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, Ralf Little, and now Don Gilet—keeps things fresh but tricky. Tobi Bakare, who played Sergeant JP Hooper until 2021 and returned for a 2025 guest spot, told Radio Times the cast’s real-life chemistry mirrors the show’s vibe. “It’s like a family reunion every time someone comes back,” he said. But blending new actors, like Don Gilet in 2024, isn’t always smooth. Gilet admitted on BBC that his “unusual working methods” as Mervin Wilson caused friction with co-stars at first, like when he improvised a line and threw Shantol Jackson off-script. The mistake? Not communicating changes beforehand, which can disrupt the tight shooting schedule.

Danny John-Jules, who’s been in and out as Dwayne Myers, shared a funny story at a 2024 fan event about pranking Kris Marshall during a stakeout scene. He hid a fake snake in Marshall’s prop car, leading to a scream that halted filming for 20 minutes. The consequence of too much joking? Directors get annoyed when time’s wasted. Still, the cast’s bond shines through. Élizabeth Bourgine, who plays Catherine Bordey since season one, told TV Choice that group dinners in Guadeloupe help new actors like Shaquille Ali-Yebuah (Officer Sebastian Rose in 2024) feel at home, keeping the set’s energy light despite the show’s high turnover.

Tackling Tough Scenes: Murders and Emotional Depth

Death in Paradise balances cozy mysteries with emotional punches, and some scenes hit actors hard. Don Gilet shared on BBC’s website that filming Mervin Wilson’s discovery of his estranged mother’s death in the 2024 Christmas Special was draining. “You’re acting, but it feels real when you’re in it,” he said. The challenge is staying in character while cameras roll, especially with crew bustling around. A common mistake is overacting—pushing too hard for drama can look fake, as Ralf Little learned early on. He told What to Watch in 2024 that he dialed back Neville’s emotions after feedback that his first takes felt “too soap opera.”

Sara Martins, who played Camille Bordey, faced a tough moment in her 2024 return for season 13. Her character’s childbirth scene required her to fake labor pains while video-calling Ralf Little’s Neville. She told a fan Q&A that she studied real birth videos to get the breathing right, but still felt “ridiculous” shouting in a quiet studio. The consequence of getting it wrong? The scene loses its heart, and fans notice. Shantol Jackson also struggled with a 2023 scene where Naomi Thomas interrogated a friend’s killer. She told Edinburgh News she kept breaking down off-camera, which delayed takes but made the final scene raw and real.

Funny Mishaps: When Things Go Wrong

The set isn’t all drama—plenty of bloopers keep things lively. Danny John-Jules, known for his jokester vibe, shared on BBC’s podcast that he once tripped over a prop coconut during a chase scene, landing flat on his face while the crew howled. “I thought I was cool, then boom—coconut!” he laughed. The mistake? Not checking the set for hazards, which actors are supposed to do. It cost an hour of resets. Similarly, Tobi Bakare admitted at a 2025 convention that he forgot his lines during a tense season 14 interrogation, blurting out “Uh, you’re guilty!” instead of the scripted dialogue. The crew used it in the blooper reel, but it meant extra takes.

Ginny Holder, who plays Darlene Curtis, told Radio Times about a 2024 shoot where a stray goat wandered onto the set during a quiet scene. “We’re trying to be serious, and this goat’s just chewing a cable!” she said. The consequence of animals or props disrupting shoots is time loss, which stresses the tight 8-episode schedule. But these moments often become cast favorites, with Don Warrington saying at a fan event that bloopers remind everyone to stay humble on set.

New Faces and Old Favorites: The 2024 Cast

The Death in Paradise cast 2024 brought fresh energy with Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson, who debuted in the Christmas Special. Gilet, known from EastEnders and Shetland, told BBC he felt “relief and surprise” landing the role, but his character’s Londoner attitude clashed with Saint Marie’s laid-back vibe. Returning actors like Don Warrington (Selwyn Patterson), Shantol Jackson (Naomi Thomas), and Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine Bordey) kept the core tight. Danny John-Jules popped back as Dwayne Myers for the festive episode but didn’t stay for season 14, per Radio Times. Tobi Bakare’s guest return as JP Hooper added nostalgia, with his Kingsman experience bringing polish to his scenes.

Newcomer Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, playing Officer Sebastian Rose, told Edinburgh News he was nervous joining such a legacy show. A funny mishap? He accidentally called Don Warrington “Commissioner” off-camera, sparking laughs. The consequence of newbies slipping up is minor—veterans like Warrington guide them—but it shows the learning curve. Fans on X buzzed about Gilet’s debut, with posts calling him “a bold new DI” but noting he’s “no Ralf Little” (). The cast’s mix of veterans and fresh faces keeps the show dynamic, though some fans miss old-timers like Kris Marshall.

Challenges of Turnover: Keeping the Show Fresh

The show’s constant cast changes are a blessing and a curse. Don Warrington told Radio Times in 2025 that losing actors like Ralf Little (Neville Parker) or Sara Martins (Camille Bordey) feels like “losing a limb,” but the show’s formula—new DI, same sunny murders—keeps it alive. Tobi Bakare echoed this, saying the show “survives because it reinvents itself.” A common mistake is fans expecting the same vibe; when Ardal O’Hanlon left in 2020, some viewers griped on X about Ralf Little’s “nerdy” Neville. The consequence? Ratings dip briefly, but the show’s 8 million viewers in 2024 prove its resilience.

Actors face pressure to make their mark fast. Don Gilet said on BBC that joining in 2024 felt like “jumping into a moving train.” He studied past DIs like Ben Miller to nail the fish-out-of-water trope but added his own gritty edge. The challenge is balancing respect for the show’s history with fresh energy. Mistakes, like Gilet’s early improvising, can jar co-stars, but the cast’s trust in the writing—crafted by pros like Robert Thorogood—keeps things on track.

FAQs

Who are the main actors in Death in Paradise for 2024?
The 2024 cast includes Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson, Don Warrington as Selwyn Patterson, Shantol Jackson as Naomi Thomas, Ginny Holder as Darlene Curtis, and Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey. Danny John-Jules returned as Dwayne Myers for the Christmas Special, and Tobi Bakare guested as JP Hooper in season 14. Newcomer Shaquille Ali-Yebuah plays Officer Sebastian Rose. Check IMDb for full credits ().

Why do so many actors leave Death in Paradise?
Actors like Ben Miller and Kris Marshall left for family reasons, as filming in Guadeloupe takes months away from home. Miller told Digital Spy he left in 2014 after his wife’s pregnancy, and Marshall cited young kids in 2017. Others, like Tobi Bakare, seek new roles after long stints. The grueling heat and schedule also wear actors down, but many return for guest spots ().

What’s the toughest part of filming Death in Paradise?
The heat and bugs in Guadeloupe challenge actors most. Don Gilet told BBC the heat requires “extra concentration,” and Joséphine Jobert shared stories of mosquito disruptions. Emotional scenes, like Sara Martins’ childbirth moment in 2024, demand focus in chaotic settings. Mistakes like missing hydration or flubbing lines can delay shoots, costing time ().

How do actors prepare for their roles?
Actors study past episodes to match the show’s tone. Don Gilet watched season four to understand its quirky crime-comedy mix. Sara Martins researched childbirth for her 2024 return. Veterans like Don Warrington mentor newbies, but slip-ups like improv or forgetting lines can disrupt takes. Prep ensures authenticity, keeping fans hooked ().

Are there any funny set stories from 2024?
Danny John-Jules tripped over a prop coconut, and Ginny Holder dealt with a rogue goat chewing cables. Tobi Bakare botched an interrogation line, yelling “you’re guilty!” instead of the script. These mishaps, shared at fan events and BBC interviews, show the cast’s humor despite tight schedules ().

Conclusion

The Death in Paradise cast of 2024, from Don Gilet’s bold DI Mervin Wilson to veterans like Don Warrington, brings heart and hilarity to Saint Marie. Behind the sunny murders are sweaty shoots, buggy interruptions, and tight-knit bonds that survive the show’s constant turnover. Actors face tough scenes, like Gilet’s emotional mother storyline or Martins’ childbirth moment, while laughing through mishaps like rogue goats or coconut tumbles. These stories, pulled from BBC interviews, Radio Times, and fan events, show why the show’s formula—quirky crimes, stellar cast—keeps 8 million viewers coming back. Want more Death in Paradise secrets? Share your favorite set story below or check out our related articles!