BBC viewers praise ‘absolute banger’ Death in Paradise spin-off-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

BBC viewers have thrown their support behind the latest Death in Paradise spin-off series.

First airing in 2011, the crime comedy drama follows a British detective on the Caribbean island of Saint-Marie.

Over the years the lead has been played by Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon (Series 6–9), Ralf Little and Don Gilet, who will first appear in the series’ upcoming Christmas special.

Last year the spin-off Beyond Paradise, which stars Marshall’s character Humphrey Goodman, hit screens.

Now another series, this time set in Australia and featuring the franchise’s first female detective has been released.

Return to Paradise stars former Home and Away actress Anna Samson, 34, as Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke who after working for London’s Metropolitan Police, returns to her hometown of Dolphin Cove to help fix up her mother’s house, but ends up temporarily re-joining the local police team to help them solve a murder.

BBC viewers have praised the latest Death in Paradise spin-off, Return to Paradise (Picture: Red Planet/ BBC Studios/ John Platt)

After her return to London ends up being delayed due to claims that evidence has been tampered with, she’s then forced to stay there indefinitely.

Although there were high expectations on the series, it appears to have delivered for fans.

‘The idea of another spin off I thought was probably initially a stretch too far until I watched it tonight. However, it is so on brand on so many ways I absolutely loved it,’ user Rich posted on X after tuning in.

It stars Anna Samson as DI Mackenzie Clarke, as well as Tai Hara as her former fiancée Glen Strong (Picture: Red Planet/ BBC Studios/ John Platt)

‘Very happy with the latest spin off. Lovely stuff. Just shows that if you hit on the perfect formula, why bother ruining it! Great cast too,’ Gari shared.

‘Return to Paradise started off with an absolute banger. Great cast and mystery, which I somehow managed to guess the killer correctly! Anna Samson is a fantastic lead and can’t wait to see more of the show,’ Doctor_Who875 added.

Meanwhile Matt said the show was a ‘fresh twist on what we’ve had’ and said it was already a ‘guilty pleasure of mine’.

Many people threw their support behind the spin-off (Picture: X)

It seems expectations were met (Picture: X)

This viewer can’t wait to see how the rest of the season plays out (Picture: X)

Speaking to Metro ahead of the series’ premiere, Anna spoke about the significance of playing the franchises’ first female lead.

‘I think that the Death in Paradise audiences are smart and kind and very ready for a female detective,’ she said.

‘I don’t think it changes the DNA of the show that much at all, if I’m really honest. I think setting it in Australia actually changes the DNA more than having a female detective, I think there’s something about the show that’s got kindness in its bones, and it’s quite hard to do kindness without inclusivity.

‘So, I don’t think a female detective is in any way a big shock or even a big departure from the original actually.’

The actress also went on to add the series ‘absolutely has the same spirit as the original’ and also ‘pays homage to it in many, many ways’ but was not a ‘carbon copy’.

Return to Paradise is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.

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