Harry Potter star surprise favourite to replace Ralf Little on Death In Paradise-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro

Could Rupert Grint be the one to take over from Ralf Little? (Picture: Warner Bros.)

Harry Potter star Ruper Grint is gearing up to trade Hogwarts for holiday horrors after emerging as the favourite to take over on Death in Paradise.

The daytime detective series, which first started back in 2011, has seen its leading role played on a rotational basis every few seasons over the last 13 years.

Ben Miller was the comedy-drama’s leading man from the beginning, before Kris Marshall stepped in – he was then replaced by Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon.

And most recently, Royle Family actor Ralf Little headed the series as DI Neville Parker before departing for pastures new, confirming his most recent appearance was his last.

Now the hunt is on for a new seaside sleuth, with several names tipped to join the BBC series, which is set to come back to our screens in early 2025.

So, who’s in the running?

Ralf’s out. Who’s in? (Picture: BBC)

Rupert Grint

Will he trade Hogwarts for holiday horrors? (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint is currently the bookmakers favourite to succeed Ralf Little, with the last 48 hours apparently proving decisive – his odds have shortened significantly.

John Hill, a spokesperson from Coral, said: ‘Rupert Grint is proving very popular in our next Death In Paradise lead detective betting. The actor’s odds have been slashed from 6-1 to 6-4, and he now tops the betting to replace Ralf Little.’

The Essex actor, 35, played Ron Weasley in eight Harry Potter films between 2001 and 2011, and has experience with mystery thrillers and dark comedies.

In 2017 he starred in Sky series Sick Note as an insurance agent who realises people treat him better when he’s misdiagnosed with cancer.

And in 2018 he started in the BBC drama The ABC Murders, where he played police officer Inspector Crome in three episodes of the miniseries.

Simon Bird

Simon Bird has more experience with drama these days (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird has also been talked up in recent weeks as a potential replacement for Ralf Little.

After appearing as Will McKenzie in the iconic sixth form comedy, and as Adam Goodman in Friday Night Dinner between 2011 and 2020, Simon has spent more time behind the camera in recent years.

But Coral still have him down as a hot favourite to become the new Detective Inspector, with his odds shortening to just 3-1 in the last month.

In 2019, he directed his first-ever feature film, The Days of Bagnold Summer, and he recently directed all six episodes of Such Brave Girls, a new comedy-drama from BBC Three.

Mathew Horne

Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne was the favourite last week (Picture: Getty)

Bookmaker Coral named Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne as their new favourite to take over from Ralf last week, with his odds of becoming the next detective recently shortening to just 6-4.

John Hill from Coral said: ‘Mathew Horne is the big mover in our betting to be the next lead detective on Death In Paradise. He’s been well-backed over the last 24 hours, which may suggest he now leads the race for the role.’

After making a name for himself in comedy series such as The Catherine Tate Show, Nathan Barley, and, of course, Gavin and Stacey, he later appeared on Bad Education.

Mathew actually appeared in an episode of Death in Paradise back in 2013, which was during the show’s second season. This was when Ben Miller played DI Richard Poole.

Diane Morgan

Who thinks Philomena Cunk would feel right at home in Saint Marie? (Picture: BBC)

If Rupert Grint, Mathew Horne, and Simon Bird don’t join Death in Paradise, the BBC series could have its very first female lead – Diane Morgan is apparently in the frame according to bookmakers.

The Bolton actress, 48, is, of course, best known to audiences as everyone’s favourite historical documentarian Philomena Cunk – a character she brought to TV full-time after cameo appearances on Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe.

However, despite her career in comedy on TV, her dramatic acting chops are well tested, having starred in thriller series Utopia, comedy drama Motherland, and romantic drama film Me Before You.

Diane’s currently 5-1 to take over at Saint Marie, giving her better odds than the likes of Martin Clunes (currently 8-1) and even Miranda Hart (7-1).

Catch up with Death in Paradise on BBC iPlayer.

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