Dwayne Myers Return in Death in Paradise: Cast Shake-Ups & What It Means
Dwayne Myers returns to Death in Paradise, but his absence in season 14 raises questions. Here’s the full breakdown of his comeback and impact. Read now!
Introduction
Dwayne Myers is back in Death in Paradise — or at least, he made a return — but his presence in series 14 is already spotty. For fans of the Caribbean crime drama, this twist is major. Danny John-Jules, who plays Dwayne, first left after season 7 and only returned in later specials and season 13. His reappearance in the 2024 Christmas special signaled that the show was bringing back familiar faces. Radio Times+3The Independent+3Radio Times+3
Yet as season 14 kicked off, Dwayne was “nowhere to be seen” in the premiere episode. Radio Times News outlets and fans flagged his absence. The Independent+2HELLO!+2
This is interesting for entertainment journalists because it shows how shows manage legacy characters, how fan expectations collide with production realities, and how cast shifts are communicated (or not). In this article I’ll map what we know about Dwayne’s return, his absence, how the show is handling it, and what this could mean going forward.
Dwayne Myers: History & Role in the Show
To understand why his return matters, we need a bit of context.
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Dwayne Myers (portrayed by Danny John-Jules) was part of Death in Paradise from series 1 to 7. He was the “old hand” in the Honoré Police Station, often helping with local knowledge and navigating island life. Death in Paradise Wiki+2Wikipedia+2
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After his initial run, the character departed. Then he reappeared in the 2021 Christmas special and again in season 13. Radio Times+3The Independent+3IMDb+3
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The show’s cast dynamics often use returning characters to bridge old and new eras. Dwayne’s return was one of the fan-pleasing moves. Radio Times+2The Independent+2
Because Dwayne had roots in the original ensemble, he carried audience weight. Bringing him back is more than nostalgia — it’s a narrative tool, a way to reconnect to earlier seasons. But that also raises expectations about screen time and meaningful arcs.
Dwayne’s Return: What We Know
From what the sources say, here’s how the show has handled Dwayne’s reintroduction — and the tensions around it:
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Official return announcement
RadioTimes confirmed Dwayne’s return via an article titled “Death in Paradise welcomes back Danny John-Jules as Dwayne – but it’s bittersweet”. Radio Times
He was welcomed back by the show’s Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in the Christmas special, intended to re-anchor older cast ties. Radio Times+2The Independent+2 -
Reason for returning (in show)
WhatToWatch reports that Dwayne returned after a period away on a sailing trip with his father Nelson. The Commissioner asked him to come back, given his familiarity and reliability. What to Watch
Also, Dwayne has personal motives: his father’s health is failing, so returning to the island helps him be present. That human reason gives weight to the return. What to Watch -
Conflict on set / character tension
Darlene, another officer, is uneasy. Dwayne previously dated her, but when he returned, the show made it clear their relationship must stay professional. What to Watch
That tension gives the writers something to do with him — not just insert him without drama. -
Promotion gaps / ambiguous status
Though Dwayne returned, he didn’t figure in the promotional cast lists for season 14. Fans noticed his absence in posters and press materials. The Independent+2HELLO!+2
As RadioTimes put it, he was “nowhere to be seen” in the season 14 premiere. Radio Times -
Christmas special exit (in show story)
In the Christmas special, Dwayne announced he'd hand in his badge to spend more time with his elderly father. That exit narrative gives a plausible reason for his limited presence going forward. The Independent+1
So, the return is real, but whether it becomes stable or fleeting is unclear. The writers have built ambiguity into it.
Absence in Season 14: Why He’s Missing (So Far)
Why did the show bring him back just to sideline him? From what I see, several factors:
1. Narrative design
His Christmas special return is symbolic and dramatic. Then, in season 14, the show may be intentionally reducing his role to avoid overcrowding new arcs. Dwayne’s promise to step back to care for his father gives writers a built-in excuse for minimal scenes. The Independent
2. Promotional omission
When the cast was revealed for season 14, Dwayne’s name was missing. Fans immediately commented. The Independent+2HELLO!+2
This omission suggests the production may have decided early that Dwayne would not be a full regular.
3. Actor availability / contract
No source confirms scheduling or contract conflicts, but in television, that’s always a possibility. Returning characters often come back on guest terms.
4. Focus on new lead / transitions
Series 14 is also the first full season with Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson, a new lead. The show needs to shift attention to Mervin’s arc and the new dynamics of the station. Dwayne’s marginalization could be a deliberate way to foreground change. Edinburgh News+2Radio Times+2
As a result, Dwayne’s absence isn’t necessarily oversight but might be part of a broader balancing act in the storytelling.
Impact & Fan Reactions
Because Dwayne has been part of the show’s DNA, his absence triggered strong responses:
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Independent reported fans “concerned” that Dwayne wasn’t listed in advance materials for season 14. The Independent
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Hello Magazine flagged the absence, reminding that he’d played in first seven seasons, returned in 2021, then season 13 — but now missing again. HELLO!
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On social media, fans posted lines like “Where is Dwayne?” and “Has Dwayne truly left?” after seeing the promotional cast images. HELLO!
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Reddit threads in fandom circles expressed disappointment and discussed whether his return was underutilized. Reddit+1
The reactions reveal how connected the audience is with long-standing characters. Keeping them at arm’s length can feel like betrayal if not handled carefully.
From a journalistic viewpoint, these fan responses become part of the story — they shape perception, which influences how producers may respond.
How This Fits Into Death in Paradise’s Cast Strategy
Death in Paradise is known for rotating its cast, especially leads, but also supporting characters. Dwayne’s return and partial absence fits patterns the show has used before.
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Rotating lead detectives is standard: Poole, Goodman, Mooney, Parker, now Wilson. Wikipedia+2Radio Times+2
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Recurring characters like Dwayne, Florence, JP, Marlon have come and gone. The show often brings back familiar faces for special episodes or transitional arcs.
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Gentle exits and entries: The show avoids dramatic deaths for core cast in favor of life choices, family reasons, relocations. Dwayne’s decision to focus on his father follows that model.
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Balancing legacy vs new direction: As the show evolves, writers must let new characters grow, without erasing the past entirely. Dwayne’s partial return is a test of that balance.
Given how the show treats exits and returns, it’s likely Dwayne might reemerge later, perhaps when his character arc can be meaningful.
What We Don’t Know — and What to Watch For
There are gaps in public information. These are points to monitor in future coverage:
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Will Dwayne return full time? As of now, there’s no confirmation. His omission from cast promos suggests not. But the writers left space.
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Contract / actor choices: Whether Danny John-Jules chose guest status or production limited it.
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Storylines tied to Dwayne: Will he have a return arc tied to his father, his past, or relational conflict with Darlene?
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Fan pressure responses: Whether the show will adjust based on audience outcry.
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Crossovers or spin-ins: Could Dwayne show up in Beyond Paradise or Return to Paradise in some capacity?
FAQs
Q1: Was Dwayne Myers completely gone in season 14?
Not entirely. He appeared in the Christmas special, where he announced stepping down to care for his father. But in the season 14 premiere, he was absent from the main cast list and not featured in regular episodes. IMDb+3Radio Times+3Radio Times+3
Q2: Why did the show bring him back only to sideline him?
The narrative gave him a reason (father’s health), and the series is shifting focus to the new lead, DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet). Dwayne’s limited inclusion may be deliberate so newer arcs aren’t overshadowed.
Q3: Will Danny John-Jules return more fully later?
It’s possible. His exit wasn’t absolute. The writers left the door open. But as of now, no contract or publicity confirms his return as a full regular.
Q4: Does his absence affect the show’s dynamic?
Yes. Dwayne often acted as a connective tissue to earlier seasons. His fewer scenes reduce that continuity. But it also gives space for newer characters to expand.
Q5: How do fans view his return and absence?
Fans are disappointed. Some feel his return was underused. Many voiced confusion and concern when he was missing from cast promos. The Independent+2HELLO!+2
Conclusion
Dwayne Myers’ return in Death in Paradise was intended as a boost, a nod to longtime fans. But his near absence in season 14’s episodes and promotional materials complicates that gesture. The show has built plausible narrative reasons for his reduced role — caring for his father, stepping back professionally — but it also reflects a deeper shift: Death in Paradise is evolving its cast and focus.
As a journalist, I see this as a moment to watch how legacy characters are handled in long-running series. Do they become props or meaningful participants? Dwayne’s arc in coming episodes will tell. For now, fans who hoped for a big comeback must wait and see whether the show gives him space to matter again.
