Ranking Death in Paradise Sidekicks Who Stole the Show from the DIs
Discover how Camille Bordey, JP Hooper & other sidekicks of Death in Paradise out‑shine the DIs in fan polls. Read now!
The lead detectives on Death in Paradise—from Richard Poole to Neville Parker—get the glory. Yet ask fans who really owns the show, and many point to the sidekicks. On Flickcore.us we’re diving into why the supporting detectives and officers often out‑detect the leads.
Below is our full list of five standout sidekicks, ranked by how much they stole scenes, how deeply they connected with fans, and how their exits changed the dynamic.
(Type YES if you agree with our picks—and comment below your favourite!)
1. Camille Bordey (played by Sara Martins)
Why she takes the top spot:
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Camille was there from Series 1–4 (plus guest returns) and provided a perfect foil to DI Richard Poole and later Humphrey Goodman. (Death in Paradise)
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She didn’t just support: she was often the brains of the team, doing the computer investigations, undercover work and offering nuanced instincts. (Death in Paradise)
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Her departure in Series 4 changed the show’s chemistry, causing fans to continually refer back to her era as the “golden” one.
What made her stand out:
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Mixed French‑British heritage, undercover past — gave her more depth than many one‑note sidekicks. (Death in Paradise)
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The tension—initially friction with the DI, then camaraderie—gave extra layers and made viewers engage beyond the murder plot.
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She could hold her own: one of the few characters who felt equal to the DI rather than subordinate.
Common mistakes & consequences in coverage:
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Mistaking her exit for a “downgrade” in the show whereas it actually shifted the format.
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Ignoring how pivotal the transition was: after Camille left, the dynamic of hero‑sidekick changed and the show leaned differently.
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Consequence: overlooking her role understates why fans miss that era so much.
Why this matters:
If your article or fan post only focuses on the current detectives, you’re missing a huge part of what made Death in Paradise resonate. Camille helped define the tone of the show in its formative years.
(Comment “Camille” below if she’s your favourite!)
2. J.P. Hooper (played by Tobi Bakare)
Why he ranks second:
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JP entered the show in Series 4 (Episode 5) as the eager young officer, under the wing of Dwayne Myers. (Wikipedia)
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He has a strong fanbase: his departure in Series 10 marked one of the biggest sidekick exits, and his occasional return (as guest in Series 13/14) still generated buzz. (Radio Times)
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His narrative arc—from rookie to sergeant, from being overshadowed to stepping up—gave him more dramatic beats than many leads.
What made him special:
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Relatable: younger, less experienced, making mistakes, learning. Viewers saw themselves in JP.
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The human touches: his marriage to Rosey, his fear of water, even the “watering plants on day one” moment from the wiki. (Death in Paradise)
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When he left, he didn’t vanish quietly; his departure felt earned, emotional, and meaningful.
Mistakes in fan‑coverage to avoid:
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Calling him “just the rookie” or “background” when in fact he carried storylines of his own.
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Ignoring how his exit impacted the ensemble chemistry: replacing him changed the feel of the team.
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Downplaying his returns: his guest appearances still sparked social‑media chatter.
Why this matters:
When writing about sidekicks overshadowing leads, JP is the perfect case. He shows how a so‑called “supporting” character can drive plots, generate audience loyalty, and become a show’s emotional heart.
(Type JP if you remember his best moments!)
3. Dwayne Myers (played by Danny John‑Jules)
Why he takes third place:
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Dwayne was one of the longest‑standing officers on Saint Marie: his tenure went from indie beginnings through multiple DI changes. (Wikipedia)
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He often provided comic relief and serious policing moments, making his character versatile.
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His mentorship of characters like JP Hooper added layers: he wasn’t static, he influenced the next generation.
What stands out:
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He knew the island intimately, which sometimes made him more useful than the DI who was new to the territory.
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While leads often struggled with local culture, Dwayne’s experience gave him an edge—and fans noticed.
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Despite being “supporting,” his personal back‑story (fear of dark, family issues) enriched his role. (Wikipedia)
Common mistakes in coverage:
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Portraying Dwayne purely as the comic foil and missing his investigative contributions.
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Treating his exit like a bump in the road rather than a shift in team dynamics.
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Ignoring how his mentorship role elevated later sidekicks—thus strengthening the case that sidekicks can lead in their own way.
Why this matters:
If you’re writing an article about how supporting characters carry a show, Dwayne is a strong example of a sidekick who quietly did the heavy lifting while the lead caught headlines.
(Drop a 👍 if you appreciated Dwayne’s balance of humour + detective work.)
4. Florence Cassell (played by Joséphine Jobert)
Why she’s fourth:
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Florence joined in Series 4 and became DS, bridging the transition between Camille’s era and later seasons. (Radio Times)
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Her character had a will‑they/won’t‑they subplot with Neville Parker, adding fan interest beyond murders.
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She left under dramatic circumstances (witness protection storyline) and returned briefly, which made fans revisit her past episodes. (Radio Times)
Strengths:
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The balance of local‑knowledge and detective instincts made her credible.
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She had a quieter, more introspective vibe than some other sidekicks, which gave a different tone to the team dynamics.
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Her exit allowed the show to recalibrate, which fans commented on heavily when comparing eras.
Pitfalls in coverage:
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Underestimating her role because she’s “not as flashy” as Camille or JP.
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Forgetting how pivotal her exit was: a major turning point in the show’s narrative.
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Ignoring her contributions during her tenure when evaluating the “best sidekicks” list.
Why this matters:
If you’re writing about how team dynamics change over time in Death in Paradise, Florence is evidence of how a sidekick zone of influence matters as much as the DI’s presence.
(Comment “Florence era” if you preferred the middle seasons of the show.)
5. Marlon Pryce (played by Tahj Miles)
Why he makes fifth:
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Marlon is a transitional sidekick/officer from Series 10 onward. (Radio Times)
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His back‑story (from petty criminal to trainee officer) gave the show a fresh angle and allowed sidekick growth to parallel the lead’s.
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He resonated with younger viewers in particular who saw an alternative path into policing rather than the “experienced detective” model.
What stands out:
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His character offered “rookie insight” while still being embedded in the team.
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He triggered changes: his arrival meant the team was shifting focus, which catches fans’ attention when comparing older vs newer seasons.
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His presence shows how later sidekicks can carry different dynamics than earlier ones—so you can chart evolution across the show.
Mistakes to avoid in coverage:
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Writing him off because he doesn’t dominate as much as earlier sidekicks.
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Ignoring how his story impacts viewer perceptions of the show’s direction (younger, more diverse, more change).
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Forgetting that sidekicks aren’t static—they evolve, and that evolution matters in rankings.
Why this matters:
When writing about “sidekicks who stole the show”, it’s easy to only focus on the early era. Marlon reminds us that even the newer characters play a major part in keeping the show fresh — and that matters when ranking them.
(Write “Marlon rising” if you think the newer seasons are underrated.)
✅ Honorable Mentions
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Fidel Best: early seasons, promising but limited screen time. (Wikipedia)
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Ruby Patterson: younger generation, not quite reached “scene‑stealer” status yet but a contender for future lists. (Wikipedia)
🔍 Final Thoughts
If you’re writing about Death in Paradise for Flickcore.us or anywhere else, your audience wants more than the detective’s monologue. The real emotional hooks often come from the sidekicks—their motives, mistakes, exits, and returns.
Key takeaways:
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Sidekicks often out‑shine leads because they bring vulnerability, growth, and relatability.
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Their departures mark major turning points in the show’s direction.
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Ranking sidekicks gives your article fresh insight—viewers will talk, comment and even argue about who really stole the scenes.
(Share this with fellow fans: “Who’s your sidekick pick? Type YES if you were team Camille or JP. Join our Facebook group (free first 50 members) and drop your ranking!)
📣 Call to Action
If this list got you thinking, don’t stop now! Comment below your top 3 sidekicks from Death in Paradise. Share this article with friends, tag your binge‑buddy, and join our fan community — the first 50 sign‑ups get exclusive behind‑the‑scenes clips!
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🧾 Conclusion
On Flickcore.us we've shown how characters like Camille Bordey, J.P. Hooper, Dwayne Myers, Florence Cassell and Marlon Pryce aren’t just sidekicks — they’re vital engines of Death in Paradise. They brought depth, growth, and emotional resonance that sometimes out‑drove the lead detectives. If you ignore them, you miss half the story. So next time you binge the show, pay attention to the sidekicks — they’re the ones who often steal the hearts and the headlines. 📺💥
(Share, comment, join our group — let’s dive into the fandom together!)
❓ FAQ
Q1: Why do sidekicks in Death in Paradise get more viewer love than the DIs?
A1: Because sidekicks often have more room for growth, make more mistakes, and are closer to viewers emotionally. The DIs arrive as experts; sidekicks evolve.
Q2: Does Camille Bordey return in later series?
A2: Yes, she returns as a guest in Series 10 (Episode 6) and Series 13 (Episode 1) after leaving full‑time in Series 4. (Wikipedia)
Q3: What happened to J.P. Hooper’s character?
A3: J.P. progressed to a higher role (off‑island promotion) and later returns for guest appearances in Series 13/14. (Radio Times)
Q4: Who is the current sidekick dominating the team?
A4: From Series 11 onwards, Naomi Thomas (played by Shantol Jackson) has greater prominence, but in this ranking we focused on sidekicks who stole scenes historically. (Radio Times)
Q5: How does a sidekick’s exit affect the show’s dynamic?
A5: Big exits (Camille’s, J.P.’s) shift chemistry, force leads to adjust, bring in new characters—which affects fan reactions and often lowers or changes engagement patterns.
Q6: Can a new sidekick top the list in future seasons?
A6: Absolutely. The show evolves, new characters can resonate and could outrank past favourites — so keep watching and keep the rankings flexible.
Thanks for reading — and remember: it’s the sidekicks who often carry the show when the DIs step off the plane. Let’s talk below! 👇
