The BBC has officially announced that the 14th season of Death in Paradise will premiere in late January, featuring Don Gilet as the new lead detective in the series.
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
The BBC has announced that Death in Paradise will return to our screens for its 14th series later this month.
The upcoming series of the popular drama has been eagerly anticipated, with former EastEnders actor Don Gilet stepping into the role of lead detective DI Mervin Wilson, following Ralf Little's departure as DI Neville Parker at the conclusion of the 13th series.
Don's first outing as DI Wilson will be in the 14th season of Death in Paradise, after making his debut in the Christmas special last December. The BBC has officially announced that the new series will premiere on BBC One on Friday 31 January at 9pm.
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
In the upcoming series, DI Wilson is set to face a multitude of new challenges as he delves into a variety of intriguing cases. During the Christmas special, he found himself investigating a peculiar incident involving three men who were seemingly shot at the same time with the same firearm.
Mervin didn't exactly win over the locals of Saint Marie initially, managing to get on the wrong side of his colleagues, including Naomi (played by Shantol Jackson), who found him difficult to work with, reports the Express.
Audiences were offered insight into Mervin's background, discovering that he had traveled to the island to reunite with his mother for the first time. He confided in his boss, Selwyn (played by Don Warrington), which laid the foundation for a developing friendship between them. Unfortunately, it was revealed that Mervin's mother had recently died. In light of this, Selwyn encouraged the detective to extend his visit to Saint Marie, suggesting it might help him feel a deeper connection to his deceased mother.
When talking about Mervin's adaptation to life in Saint Marie, Don commented: "For him, everything in Saint Marie contradicts the established norms. His method aligns more with the fast-paced lifestyle of London, yet even in London, no one operates quite like he does."
View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
When discussing his involvement in the long-running BBC series, Don admitted to feeling a mix of nerves and excitement about portraying a significant character. He remarked, "It probably won't come as a shock to hear that the experience was equally thrilling and daunting. I compare it to one of those exhilarating rides at an amusement park."
"I'm about to take the plunge, fully aware that it might be frightening, yet I'm determined to go for it. You're challenging yourself. As you settle into the seat, thoughts race through your mind: 'What have I just signed up for?!' But there's a thrill in the air because I realize I'm starting this fresh adventure."
He continued: "It's a weird feeling for an actor when you get any job, no matter what role it is, because they like your craft and what you did in the audition. When I was in the room, there were four people to impress, and I managed to do it. It was a great reminder to me that, yeah, you can still do this. It felt like a little personal air-punch-without-anyone-looking moment."