What Is JP from Death in Paradise Doing Now?

What is JP from Death in Paradise doing now? Discover Tobi Bakare’s latest acting work, return to Saint Marie and life beyond the BBC drama. Read the full story now!

Tobi Bakare, best known to Death in Paradise fans as Sergeant JP Hooper, has continued to build a busy career since leaving the regular cast of the much-loved BBC crime drama.

Bakare joined Death in Paradise in 2015 and quickly became one of the familiar faces of the Saint Marie police team. His character JP was known for his gentle nature, loyalty and sometimes innocent approach to police work.

Although JP left the regular cast in 2021, that was not the end of the story. Bakare has since returned to the world of Death in Paradise in guest appearances, giving longtime viewers a welcome chance to see the character again.

Away from Saint Marie, the actor has also taken on other television and voice roles. His work has included an appearance as Walter Woodcock in Outlander and voice work as Sam Green in the video game The Casting of Frank Stone. He also runs Wrought Artisan, an acting service aimed at helping new talent prepare for the television and film industry.

For fans who remember JP fondly, Bakare’s career offers a reassuring reminder that leaving a regular television role does not mean disappearing from the screen.

JP Hooper Became a Familiar Face on Saint Marie

When Tobi Bakare first appeared in Death in Paradise in 2015, he stepped into a show that already had a loyal following.

The drama centres on a British detective and the local police team on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie. Its appeal has always been about more than solving a murder. The island setting, familiar police team and changing relationships give the programme its warm character.

JP Hooper became an important part of that mix.

The source material describes JP as innocent, a quality that helped make him different from some of the more serious detectives who passed through the series. He was part of the police team rather than the central detective, but viewers had plenty of time to get to know him.

That familiarity mattered. Death in Paradise regularly changes its leading detectives, but supporting characters can provide continuity for viewers.

JP was one of those steady figures. His presence helped give the Saint Marie police station a sense of history, particularly as new detectives arrived and older faces moved on.

For many viewers, this is one reason departures from the show can feel surprisingly personal. A character may not be the main focus of every episode, but after several years, audiences become accustomed to seeing them there.

JP's departure was therefore a significant moment for fans of the earlier seasons.

Why Did JP Leave Death in Paradise?

Tobi Bakare left the regular cast of Death in Paradise in 2021, with JP Hooper's departure taking place during season 10.

The source material does not give a detailed explanation for the character's departure, so it would be wrong to suggest a specific behind-the-scenes reason that has not been established in the supplied material.

What is clear is that leaving the regular cast did not close the door completely.

This is important because Death in Paradise has a long tradition of bringing familiar characters back for special appearances. The series has changed its central detective several times while continuing to make room for returning faces.

JP's later appearances show how that approach can work.

Instead of treating an old character as permanently forgotten, the programme can bring them back when the story allows. For longtime viewers, even a short appearance can feel like a visit from an old friend.

The source material confirms that Bakare reprised his fan-favourite role for guest appearances and was back on screen as Sergeant JP Hooper in 2025. HELLO! also reported on his return to the programme in February 2025.

That return is perhaps the most important part of the answer to the question, "What is JP from Death in Paradise doing now?"

He has moved on from being a regular member of the Saint Marie police team, but the character has not completely disappeared.

Tobi Bakare Has Continued Acting After Death in Paradise

Leaving Death in Paradise gave Bakare the opportunity to explore other parts of the entertainment industry.

One of his later television roles was Walter Woodcock in Outlander. This gave viewers who knew him from Saint Marie another opportunity to see him in a different setting and role.

He has also worked in voice performance.

Bakare voiced Sam Green in The Casting of Frank Stone, showing another side of his career beyond traditional television acting. Voice work can require a very different approach, even though the same actor's ability to create a believable character remains important.

For Death in Paradise viewers, these projects may be especially interesting because they show that Bakare's career did not stop when JP left the BBC drama.

There is also a quieter professional side to his work.

Bakare runs Wrought Artisan, an acting service designed to help prepare emerging talent for work in television and film. That means his career now includes not only performing but also helping people who are hoping to enter the industry.

It is a natural extension of a long career in front of the camera. Rather than simply looking for the next acting role, Bakare is also involved in supporting the next generation of performers.

For fans, that offers another reason to follow his work beyond Death in Paradise.

His Return to Saint Marie Was Special for Fans

There is something comforting about seeing a familiar Death in Paradise character return.

The series has always balanced change with continuity. Detectives leave, new officers arrive and the stories move forward, but familiar faces can still return to remind viewers of earlier chapters.

That was the case with Bakare.

His return as JP Hooper gave viewers a chance to reconnect with a character they had watched develop over several years. The source material also reports that Bakare described Death in Paradise as feeling like "home" when discussing his return.

That sentiment helps explain why returning characters can create such a strong reaction.

It is not only about nostalgia. It is also about seeing where a familiar character has reached after the audience last saw them.

For a show built around a changing cast, these reunions provide a bridge between different eras of Death in Paradise. Longtime viewers can remember the earlier police team while newer viewers can discover characters they may have missed.

The response to JP's return also fits the wider affection surrounding the programme. The source material contains several searches from viewers about former characters, cast changes and who is leaving or returning.

That level of interest shows just how closely fans follow the show's characters.

What Tobi Bakare Is Doing Beyond the Screen

Bakare's life away from acting is another part of the story, although the available source material keeps these details fairly private.

The supplied information says he places a strong focus on family life and spends time with his wife, Prisca, and their three children.

That gives a useful picture of a career that is not simply about chasing one television role after another.

His work now appears to sit across several areas: acting, voice performance, returning to familiar roles and helping emerging performers through Wrought Artisan.

For viewers who first discovered him through Death in Paradise, that wider career may be a pleasant surprise.

There is also something fitting about Bakare's connection to the programme continuing after his regular role ended. Death in Paradise has become known for its revolving cast, yet it often retains a sense of familiarity.

JP Hooper remains part of that history.

Even when he is not appearing in every episode, the character has a place in the show's long story. His return demonstrates that former members of the Saint Marie team can still have a role to play.

And for fans, that possibility makes the programme's changing cast a little easier to accept.

Why JP Still Matters to Death in Paradise Fans

The lasting affection for JP Hooper is not difficult to understand.

He was not introduced as a larger-than-life detective or an eccentric genius. Instead, JP was a member of the team whose personality helped make the police station feel like a real workplace.

That kind of character can become important gradually.

Viewers spend years watching familiar faces deal with cases, friendships and changes within the team. When one of those characters leaves, the programme can feel different even if the central format remains the same.

JP's story also reflects the unusual strength of Death in Paradise.

The show can keep moving forward while allowing its past to remain part of its identity. New viewers can enjoy the current team, while longtime fans can still remember characters such as JP.

Bakare's return reinforces that connection.

Rather than being remembered only as a former cast member, he has had the opportunity to step back into the role and give fans another glimpse of Sergeant Hooper.

His career beyond the show also gives viewers plenty to explore. From Outlander to voice work and his involvement with Wrought Artisan, Bakare has continued to develop professionally since his regular Death in Paradise days.

For fans who have wondered what happened to JP, the answer is therefore quite positive: Tobi Bakare has continued working, while JP Hooper remains a character the series can still welcome back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tobi Bakare still in Death in Paradise?

Tobi Bakare left the regular cast of Death in Paradise in 2021, when JP Hooper's regular run came to an end. However, he has returned to the programme for guest appearances. The supplied source material confirms that he was back as JP Hooper in 2025.

What is Tobi Bakare doing now?

Bakare has continued working as an actor and voice performer. His listed projects include Walter Woodcock in Outlander and Sam Green in The Casting of Frank Stone. He also runs Wrought Artisan, an acting service that helps prepare emerging television and film talent.

Who played JP Hooper?

JP Hooper was played by Tobi Bakare. He joined Death in Paradise in 2015 and became a familiar member of the Saint Marie police team. The supplied source describes JP as an innocent character, which was an important part of his personality.

Did JP Hooper return to Death in Paradise?

Yes. Although Bakare left the regular cast in 2021, the source material confirms that he returned as JP Hooper for guest appearances. His return was also covered in 2025, giving fans another opportunity to see the popular character.

Does the source explain exactly why JP left?

No. The supplied material confirms that JP left the regular cast in 2021, but it does not provide enough information to state a specific reason for his departure. It is therefore best not to present an unverified explanation as fact.

Conclusion: JP Hooper's Story Is Not Quite Over

For fans asking what JP from Death in Paradise is doing now, the simplest answer is that Tobi Bakare has kept busy.

Since leaving the regular cast in 2021, he has continued acting and voice work, taken on projects such as Outlander and The Casting of Frank Stone, and become involved in helping new performers through Wrought Artisan.

Most importantly for longtime viewers, Bakare has also returned to Saint Marie as JP Hooper.

That return matters because Death in Paradise has always been about its characters as much as its mysteries. The island, the police station and the familiar faces all create the sense of a place viewers can return to.

JP may no longer be a regular presence, but his story remains part of the show's history.

And perhaps that is the nicest thing about his journey. Tobi Bakare has moved forward with his career, while still leaving the door open to a character that many viewers remember with genuine affection.

For fans who watched JP's years on Saint Marie, his return is a welcome reminder that in Death in Paradise, an old friend is never necessarily gone forever.

What do you remember most about JP Hooper — his humour, his police work, or his friendships with the Saint Marie team? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below.