The lead detectives in Death In Paradise were all tempted over to the fictional island of Saint Marie by warm weather and an idyllic lifestyle, but so far none of the actors playing the role have stuck around long-term.
During it’s 13-series run, four actors have taken on the role of the chief detective on the island, including Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, and Ralf Little.
Speculation has been mounting that Ralf, 44, will be the latest star to leave the show after joining as DI Neville Parker part-way through series nine.
The series, which is filmed in Guadeloupe and has seen over 70 murders, sees its current series come to an end on Sunday night.
There has been talk that the episode will be Ralf’s character Neville’s – who is the longest-running DI on the show – last appearance in the programme.
During it’s 13-series run, four actors have taken on the role of the chief detective on the island, including Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, and Ralf Little (pictured)
A show source told the Mirror: ‘Ralf has been brilliant in the role and he’s given it a good long run. Fans are sure to be sad to see him go but they’ll also be happy for Neville.’
During the penultimate episode of the series, Neville hinted his replacement when he spoke about having to make them a list of his lizard Harry’s dietary requirements.
Neville has spoken about a ‘trip’ he is going on to find The One after failing to find love on the island.
The getaway was prompted by the arrival of his ex-girlfriend, who came looking for him in the hope of rekindling their relationship.
The first actor to take on the role of Saint Marie’s Detective Inspector was Ben Miller, who played DI Richard Poole.
Despite hating the place upon arrival and throughout the first series, Richard eventually settled into island life.
However tragedy struck at the end of series three when DI Poole was murdered with an ice pack after he discovered the mystery of a stolen identity.
Ben’s exit was orchestrated after he discovered that he was set to become a father.
The first actor to take on the role of Saint Marie’s Detective Inspector was Ben Miller, who played DI Richard Poole (pictured)
He previously said: ‘Two weeks after I arrived in the Caribbean, Jessica found out that she was pregnant.’
‘I’ve just got divorced and I’ve finally met somebody and now I’m on the other side of the world and we’re having a baby.
‘That’s a proper curveball to be on the end of. So I knew what I had to do to get my wife back – quit Death in Paradise!’
Ben did return to the show during it’s 10th anniversary and hasn’t ruled out a return to the programme in the future.
In 2016, he told Digital Spy: ‘Yeah, of course I would. It would be great fun! I love the character, he’s fantastic fun to do. But there’s no talk of that whatsoever, to be honest with you. It was pretty final, I thought!’
The next actor to step into the role was My Family’s Kris Marshall, who played clumsy DI Humphrey Goodman.
His character found love on the island with DS Bordey and appeared far more well adapted to the lifestyle than his predecessor.
On the show, DI Goodman decided to stay in London with Martha after completing a case. But in reality, he left the show to focus on his family in 2017.
He told Radio Times that he’d made an agreement with his wife Hannah to only do the show ‘for a few years’.
The next actor to step into the role was My Family’s Kris Marshall, who played clumsy DI Humphrey Goodman
He said: ‘It’s something my wife and I discussed three or four years ago. ‘When I was first offered the job, my son was six months old and my wife wasn’t working, so it was a very easy decision.
‘We decided I would do Death in Paradise for a few years until it became impractical. It was always quite a finite thing. I certainly didn’t hide it from anyone I work with. I’m going to miss it terribly. There have already been times when I’ve thought to myself, ‘Have I made the right decision?”
In June 2021, he told Lorraine Kelly: ‘I realised that I really had to get my son to school. He was becoming a bit too Caribbean – he refused to wear shoes and would only drink coconut water and eat pineapple’.
He continued: ‘He was very good on the beach but not so good with Maths and English, so I decided that it was time to get him to school. So the show had to go, really. But six months later I’m standing on a film set in a car park in Dagenham at 4 o’clock in the morning thinking, ‘Have I made the right decision?”
Following his exit, Father Ted actor Ardal O’Hanlon joined the show as DI Jack Mooney as holiday cover, before staying for the next three years.
DI Mooney left the sunny shores behind to return to London with his daughter Siobhan, rather than pursuing a romance with love interest Anna.
Speaking on his exit, Ardal said: ‘I’ve spent the last four summers in Guadeloupe playing DI Jack Mooney, cracking over 20 murder cases during my stay there.’
‘It’s been a hugely rewarding and unforgettable experience, working with incredibly talented actors, directors, and crew while discovering a magical part of the world.’
Hinting that there was more to his exit, he added: ‘It’s time to move on and explore other opportunities preferably nearer the Arctic Circle.’
Following his exit, Father Ted actor Ardal O’Hanlon joined the show as DI Jack Mooney as holiday cover, before staying for the next three years