Death in Paradise Inspectors: Every DI in Order
From Richard Poole's shocking exit to Mervin Wilson's new arrival, get a complete list of all Death in Paradise inspectors in order. Find out who they were and why they left. Read the full history!
Introduction
The revolving door of lead detectives is a core part of what makes Death in Paradise work. For fourteen years, the show's formula has remained simple: a brilliant but socially awkward British or Irish detective is dropped onto the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie to solve an impossible murder every week. The constant cycling of these inspectors is a major talking point for the audience and a unique feature that has contributed to its long run. Each new arrival brings a different set of quirks and a fresh dynamic to the Honoré police station. As we look ahead to the 2025 Christmas special and Season 15, which will fully establish the newest lead, DI Mervin Wilson (played by Don Gilet), it's a good time to look back at the full history. This isn't just a cast change; it's the central gimmick of the show. News outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and countless fan forums light up with speculation every time a departure is announced, proving just how much these characters matter.
DI Charlie Hulme: The One-Episode Inspector
Technically, DI Charlie Hulme was the very first detective inspector we meet on Saint Marie. Played by Hugo Speer, his tenure was also the shortest. By a long shot. He appeared in the opening scenes of the very first episode in October 2011 and was dead minutes later. Hulme was found shot inside a locked panic room, creating the "impossible" murder that would become the show's signature. His death is the entire reason the series exists. It's the inciting incident that forces the London Met to dispatch another detective to the island to solve the case, which brings our first proper protagonist into the picture.
Hulme's murder wasn't just a random act of violence. The investigation revealed he was killed by his own partner, DS Lily Thompson. She was involved in a people-smuggling operation, and Hulme was getting too close to exposing her. His murder set a specific tone for the series right away: even the cops aren't safe on Saint Marie. While he's often forgotten by casual viewers, his brief appearance was critical. He is the answer to a good trivia question, but more importantly, his death established the stakes and provided the perfect entry point for the character who would truly define the show's early years. Forgetting him is a common mistake, but his death is the single event that kicks off the entire Death in Paradise narrative.
DI Richard Poole: The Original Grumpy Detective
When DI Richard Poole, played by Ben Miller, stepped off the plane in his wool suit, complaining about the heat and sand, the show's central conflict was born. Poole was the quintessential fish out of water. He hated everything about island life, from the food to the wildlife, and stubbornly refused to adapt. He was prickly, formal, and socially inept, but he was also a brilliant detective. His genius lay in his methodical approach and his ability to see the tiny details others missed. The dynamic between his stuffy Britishness and the relaxed Caribbean culture, particularly his relationship with his partner Camille Bordey, drove the first two seasons.
His exit was one of the most shocking moments in the show's history. At the beginning of season three in 2014, Poole was murdered with an ice pick during a university reunion. It was a bold move to kill off the main character, and it proved that the show was willing to take risks. The culprit was an old classmate, Sasha Moore, who killed him because she feared he would expose an identity theft she'd committed years ago. Richard Poole mattered because he was the blueprint. He established the core traits of the Saint Marie DI: an outsider with a unique method of deduction. His death set a precedent that a lead's departure didn't have to be a quiet farewell; it could be a major, season-defining event. It also proved the show's format could withstand a complete change in leadership.
DI Humphrey Goodman: The Clumsy Charmer
Following Richard Poole's murder, DI Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall, was sent to Saint Marie to solve the case. The character was a complete 180-degree turn. Where Poole was rigid and cynical, Humphrey was clumsy, disorganized, and endlessly optimistic. He immediately embraced island life, trading his predecessor's suit for a linen one and showing a genuine enthusiasm for his new home. His chaotic nature hid a sharp mind, and his "aha!" moments often came amidst a flurry of physical comedy and rambling explanations. His tenure was defined by his romantic pursuits, first with Camille and later with his true love, Martha Lloyd.
Humphrey's exit was the first to not involve a death. At the start of season six, he returned to London to be with Martha, realizing his feelings for her were more important than his life on the island. This was a critical development for the show. It demonstrated that a detective could leave Saint Marie with a happy ending, providing a less grim exit strategy for future leads. Humphrey's popularity proved the show could not only survive but thrive after replacing its original star. His character was so well-received that he later got his own Cornwall-based spin-off, Beyond Paradise, which is a testament to the strength of his portrayal and the durability of the show's character archetypes.
DI Jack Mooney: The Grieving Father's New Start
DI Jack Mooney, played by Ardal O'Hanlon, arrived in season six as part of a crossover with Humphrey's London-based story. Following the death of his wife, Jack and his daughter Siobhan decided to stay on Saint Marie for a fresh start. Jack brought another new energy to the role. He was an amiable, empathetic, and fatherly figure. He was less of an eccentric genius and more of a warm, intuitive investigator who connected with people on an emotional level. His approach was about understanding human nature, which often led him to the killer. His story arc was less about adjusting to the island and more about processing his grief in a new environment.
Like Humphrey, Jack did not die. He was on the island from season six to nine. For a while, it seemed he might find new love with a traveler named Anna Masani. He even planned to go traveling with her. But at the last minute, he had a realization. He understood that he had been using the island as a beautiful place to hide from his grief rather than truly dealing with it. He and Siobhan decided to return home to finally confront their loss together. Jack's journey was about healing. His character showed that the island could be a place of recovery and transition. His departure was quiet and emotional, reinforcing the idea that not every DI's story had to end in dramatic fashion.
DI Neville Parker: The Longest-Serving DI
DI Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, holds the record as the longest-serving detective in the show's history, lasting four and a half years from season nine to thirteen. When Neville first arrived, he was the most challenging DI yet. He was allergic to practically everything on the island, from the sun to the sand to the mosquitos. He was neurotic, riddled with anxieties, and seemed destined for a very short stay. However, over his long tenure, Neville underwent the most significant character development of any inspector. He slowly conquered his fears, embraced the island, and found a home in Saint Marie.
His story was heavily defined by his search for love, which was often fraught with disaster. He was gently rejected by his sergeant, Florence Cassell. Then, he fell for a woman named Sophie, who turned out to be a killer attempting to frame him for murder as revenge for a past case. It was a brutal betrayal. But in the end, Neville got his happy ending. In the season 13 finale, Florence returned and confessed her feelings for him, and the two literally sailed off into the sunset together. Neville’s extended run allowed for a deeper, more nuanced character arc, and his final departure with Florence was a massive payoff for long-time viewers who had followed their will-they-won't-they relationship for years.
DI Mervin Wilson: The New Man on Saint Marie
The current detective inspector is DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet. He was first introduced during the 2024 Christmas special and is set to take the lead in the upcoming 2025 Christmas special and the full fifteenth season in early 2026. Wilson's arrival is different from the others. He isn't sent to the island on a temporary assignment; he comes to Saint Marie with a personal mission: to investigate the suspicious death of his estranged mother, a woman he never knew. This immediately provides his character with a built-in mystery arc that goes beyond the case-of-the-week format.
Wilson brings a more serious and dramatic tone to the show, a stark contrast to the often-cozy feel of the series. As of October 2025, anticipation is high for his first full season, with social media on platforms like X buzzing with fan theories about his backstory. He is also the first Black lead detective in the show's history, a noteworthy milestone. His more grounded and less quirky personality suggests the show might be shifting its tone slightly. How he integrates with the established team and how his personal investigation unfolds will be the central questions driving the next chapter of Death in Paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do the detectives in Death in Paradise always change? It's a core feature of the show's format. In-universe, the DI is usually on a temporary assignment from the UK. In reality, actors often choose to leave after a few seasons to pursue other roles and avoid being typecast. The constant change allows the "fish out of water" premise to be refreshed for the audience with each new lead.
Who was the longest-serving Death in Paradise detective? Ralf Little, who played DI Neville Parker, holds the record. He was the lead inspector for four and a half seasons, from the middle of season nine to the end of season thirteen. This gave his character the most time for development.
Have any of the Death in Paradise inspectors died? Yes, two have been murdered. DI Charlie Hulme was killed in the very first episode, which is the event that starts the series. DI Richard Poole was murdered with an ice pick at the beginning of season three.
Will any old detectives return to Death in Paradise? While short cameos are possible (Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole made a brief appearance in season 10), the only one to return in a major capacity is Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman, who now stars in the spin-off series Beyond Paradise.
When does the new detective, DI Mervin Wilson, start? DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, was officially introduced in the 2024 Christmas special. He will lead the investigations starting with the 2025 Christmas special and the entirety of Season 15, which is expected to air in January or February 2026.
Summary
The tradition of passing the inspector's baton is the engine that keeps Death in Paradise running. Each new detective brings a unique personality to the Honoré police force, preventing the show's formula from becoming stale. We've seen the grumpy DI Richard Poole, the clumsy DI Humphrey Goodman, the gentle DI Jack Mooney, and the neurotic-turned-hero DI Neville Parker. Each brought their own methods and quirks to solving crime on the beautiful but deadly island of Saint Marie. Now, the arrival of the more serious DI Mervin Wilson signals another new era for the long-running series. The changing of the guard isn't just a casting decision; it's the heart of the show.
Who was your favorite of the Death in Paradise inspectors? Let us know in the comments below!
