Beyond Paradise: Everything we know about the Death in Paradise spin-off starring Kris Marshall

A Death in Paradise spinoff has been announced, starring Kris Marshall. Here’s everything we know about the exciting upcoming series titled Beyond Paradise.

Death in Paradise has seen viewers repeatedly tuning in throughout its 12 year run - and they've been treated to Death in Paradise Christmas specials too - enjoying a consistently positive critical response, with fans eager to know more, such as where is Death in Paradise filmed. 

Actor Kris Marshall starred in the long-running series between series 3–6, before being replaced by Ardal O’Hanlon, and now Red Planet Pictures have confirmed a brand new spinoff series for BBC and BritBox international. Beyond Paradise sees Marshall return to head up the series as his character DI Humphrey Goodman returns to work in the UK, and fans are keen to know more, from where is Beyond Paradise filmed to the show's release date and cast.

Beyond Paradise release date

Beyond Paradise will be released on Friday 24 February. It will be broadcast on BBC One and can also be watched on BBC iPlayer and BritBox - for which you can now get a seven day free trial.

The new show's arrival comes just as series 12 of Death in Paradise will be wrapping up, making it great timing for fans of the whodunit who will be searching for their next murder mystery fix. Filming began in August 2022, with the cast and crew seen working in locations across Cornwall and the South-West of England.

Beyond Paradise isn't on BBC tonight (Friday 17th March) due to Comic Relief coverage airing.

What is the Death in Paradise spin off Beyond Paradise? 

The Death in Paradise spin off will focus on Humphrey’s life in the UK, after he left the Caribbean with girlfriend Martha to return to London. 

The new series is sure to appeal to fans, with many wondering what happened to Kris Marshall’s character DI Humphrey Goodman when he left sunny Saint Marie.

Speaking to the BBC about reprising his role, Marshall said that he’d always wondered what happened next for his character. About stepping back into Goodman’s shoes, he said: "it's a joy to be putting his crumpled jacket back on and seeing how life has panned out for him back in the UK." 

Executive Producer Tim Key added to the enthusiasm for the series by saying, "We always knew there were more Humphrey Goodman tales to be told and with the brilliant Tony Jordan leading the writing team, bringing all the Death in Paradise spirit, humour and joy to this brand new, original series, we can’t wait to get started." 

 What is Beyond Paradise going to be about? 

Beyond Paradise follows the lives of Humphrey and Martha after they have returned to the UK. After Humphrey followed Marth back to London in the 2017 series of Death in Paradise, the pair are now living in Martha's home town of Shipton Abbott in Devon.

The BBC synopsis reads: "As they embark on their new life whilst temporarily living with Martha’s mum Anne Lloyd (Barbara Flynn), the couple are quickly thrown in at the deep end as Martha sets out to pursue her dream of running her own restaurant and Humphrey joins the local police force. Quickly making an impression on the somewhat eclectic team; DS Esther Williams, PC Kelby Hartford and Margo Martins, Humphrey sets out to help crack a host of baffling cases, with the Shipton Abbott squad witnessing a whole new approach to police work…

"Each week the team will face a new crime with a unique puzzle at its heart. The not-so-sleepy town of Shipton Abbott will be rocked by an entire family disappearing without a trace, a woman claiming she was attacked by a suspect from the seventeenth century, the robbery of a highly prized painting, a body bizarrely discovered in a crop circle and a serial arsonist with a seeming distaste for local businesses.

"As Humphrey gets stuck into his new job, he and Martha must also navigate life’s ups and downs, as faces from the past, the decisions they make and challenges of setting up life in a new town put their relationship to the ultimate test."

Beyond Paradise cast 

• Kris Marshall (Love Actually) as DI Humphrey Goodman
• Sally Bretton (Not Going Out) as Martha Lloyd
• Zahra Ahmadi (EastEnders) as DS Esther Williams
• Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls) as PC Kelby Hartford
• Felicity Montagu (I'm Alan Partridge) as Margo Martins
• Jamie Bamber (Law and Order)

Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton are reprising their roles as Humphrey and Martha from Death in Paradise, now living in Shipton Abbott, Devon.

Talking about returning to his role as Humphrey, Kris Marshall said: "I had the best time playing Humphrey out in Guadeloupe and whilst I was delighted that he got his happy ending with Martha, I always wanted to know what happened next.

"Working with Sally is a dream, and I can’t wait to continue Humphrey and Martha’s story and solve a few seemingly impossible mysteries along the way."

Among the familiar faces joining Marshall and Bretton as part of the main cast, the BBC have also announced a list of guest stars who will be appearing on the series.

Beyond Paradise guest cast:

• Phil Daniels (Rock & Chips)
• Jade Harrison (The Stranger)
• Monsterrat Lombard (Rare Beast)
• Chris Jenks (Sex Education)
• Yasmine Akram (Bad Sisters)
• Rufus Jones (Home)
• Samantha Spiro (Babs)

Do you need to watch Death in Paradise to understand the spin off? 

Although it could be helpful to understand the backstory of the main characters, Beyond Paradise will be a brand new series that introduces new characters. It’s likely that although Death in Paradise references could be made, there will be no need to have seen it.

For those wanting to catch up on old episodes, all series of Death in Paradise can be streamed through BritBox or, alternatively, all episodes from the 12 series so far can be streamed for free through BBC iPlayer.

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