List of Death in Paradise episodes

Death in Paradise was first commissioned in 2010 by the BBC. It starred Ben Miller as D.I. Richard Poole and Sara Martins as D.S. Camille Bordey. The first series began airing in October 2011. The show was recommissioned and a second series aired in January 2013. A third series was confirmed in February 2013, and aired in January 2014.[1] Miller, who had previously announced he would be leaving the show, left after the first episode and was replaced by Kris Marshall.[2] On 28 February 2014, BBC confirmed that Death in Paradise will return for a fourth season. The series began filming in May 2014 and was broadcast in early 2015.[3] A fifth series, which will air in 2016, was confirmed in February 2015.[4]

To date, 32 episodes have aired.

Series overview

Series Episodes Originally broadcast DVD release date Ave. UK Viewers
Series premiere Series finale Region 2 Region 1
1 8 25 October 2011 13 December 2011 8 October 2012[5] 17 June 2014[6] 5.89 million
2 8 8 January 2013 26 February 2013 4 March 2013[7] 16 Sep 2014[8] 7.67 million
3 8 14 January 2014 4 March 2014 10 March 2014 5 May 2015 8.46 million
4 8 8 January 2015 26 February 2015 2 March 2015 TBA 8.60 million

Episodes

Series 1 (2011)

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK viewers
(in millions; sourced from BARB)[9]
1"Death in Paradise"Charles PalmerRobert Thorogood25 October 20116.78

D.I. Richard Poole arrives on the tropical isle of Saint Marie to investigate the death of a fellow British detective.

First appearance of Ben Miller as D.I. Richard Poole, Sara Martins as D.S. Camille Bordey, Danny John-Jules as Officer Dwayne Myers, Gary Carr as Officer Fidel Best and Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson.

Guest starring Lenora Crichlow, Rupert Graves, Hugo Speer and Sean Maguire
2"Wicked Wedding Night"Roger GoldbyRobert Thorogood1 November 20116.53

A bride dies minutes after her wedding, with matters being complicated when another person is killed.

First appearance of Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey.

Guest starring Frances Barber, Robert Pugh, Paterson Joseph and Matt Di Angelo
3"Predicting Murder"Charles PalmerRobert Thorogood8 November 20115.31

A woman predicts her own murder and describes her killer, resulting in Poole getting involved in another unsolved case.

Guest starring Nicholas Farrell, Clare Holman, Michael Maloney and Mona Hammond
4"Missing a Body?"Roger GoldbyJames Payne15 November 20115.82

A woman confesses to murdering her husband but the lack of a body brings her claim into question.

Guest starring Miranda Raison, Emma Fielding, Derek Riddell and Neil Stuke
5"Spot the Difference"Alfred LotHarry Holmes22 November 20115.45

Escorting a convicted fraudster on the ferry back to Saint Marie goes disastrously wrong when the man is stabbed to death while handcuffed to Poole much to his embarrassment, the wrath of the commissioner and the amusement of his team; with a myriad of suspects Poole has an impossible case to solve and the unwanted help from an amateur sleuth.

Guest starring Colin Salmon, Sophie Winkleman, Sarah Smart, Lee Boardman and Alistair Petrie
6"An Unhelpful Aid"Alfred LotRobert Thorogood29 November 20115.30

Dwayne and Fidel have to solve a murder of a diver while Poole is ill, Camille is away, and their substitute inspector proves difficult to work with.

Guest starring Shirley Henderson, Lisa Faulkner, Sean Gallagher, Kieran O'Brien and O-T Fagbenle
7"Music of Murder"Paul HarrisonJack Lothian6 December 20115.66

A band member is murdered at the band's comeback gig.

Guest starring Keith Duffy, Adrian Dunbar, Ray Fearon, Robbie Gee and Sarita Choudhury
8"Amongst Us"Paul HarrisonRobert Thorogood13 December 20116.29

Dwayne is framed for a murder.

Guest starring John Thomson, Adrian Dunbar and Danny Webb

Series 2 (2013)

Filming for the new series finished in October 2012. Series 2 began airing on Tuesday 8 January 2013 on BBC1.[10] Titles for each episode are from the Broadcast.

# Episode Director Writer Original air date UK Viewers
(in millions; sourced from BARB)[9]
9"A Murder on the Plantation[11]"Keith BoakDelinda Jacobs8 January 20138.20

A plantation owner is discovered murdered and Poole has far too many suspects to sort through.

Guest starring David Ajala, Stephanie Beacham, James Cosmo and Tom Ward
10"An Unholy Death"Alrick RileyColin Bytheway15 January 20137.84

A nun is found dead inside a locked room. Poole suspects murder.

Guest starring Patrick Baladi, Kenneth Cranham, Gemma Jones, Rowena King and Caroline Langrishe
11"Death in the Clinic"David O'NeillDan Sefton22 January 20137.98

A woman is murdered at a luxury health clinic in a manner that suggests suicide, with Poole's primary evidence to the contrary being the very expensive cup of tea she made before her death.

Guest starring James Fleet, Cherie Lunghi, Nathaniel Martello-White, Emma Pierson and Shaun Parkes
12"A Deadly Curse"Alrick RileyRobert Thorogood29 January 20137.68

A member of a treasure hunting group is murdered.

Guest starring Kelly Adams, Michael Brandon, Jonathan Cake, Bryan Dick and Pip Torrens
13"Murder Onboard"Keith BoakJack Lothian5 February 20137.21

Camille's best friend Aimee, a Calypso singer, is murdered in the middle of her act on a boat.

Guest starring Dexter Fletcher, Jamelia, Amanda Mealing and Jonny Phillips
14"A Dash of Sunshine"Alrick RileyColin Bytheway12 February 20137.49

A tourist is found dead in what appears to be a bungled robbery.

Guest starring Michele Austin, Ralf Little, James Murray, Neil Pearson, Hannah Spearritt, Kim Thomson and Matilda Ziegler
15"A Stormy Occurrence"David O'NeillJames Payne19 February 20137.42

A Meteorologist dies during a hurricane, with clues suggesting that the killer changed the time code on their camera to provide them with an alibi, but it still proves difficult to determine motive and opportunity.

Guest Starring Ben Batt, Stephen Boxer, Lolita Chakrabarti, Gemma Chan, Mathew Horne and Jo Woodcock
16"A Deadly Party"Alrick RileyRobert Thorogood26 February 20137.50

A fraudster is murdered, but everyone has an alibi.

Guest Starring Jamie Davis, Lucy Davis, Julie Graham, Lucien Laviscount and Sean Pertwee

Series 3 (2014)

On 12 February 2013, after high ratings for the second series, Death in Paradise was re-commissioned for a third series which began on Tuesday 14 January 2014.[12] Miller exited the show during the first episode of the series.

# Episode Director Writer Original air date UK Viewers
(in millions; sourced from BARB)[9]
17"Death of a Detective"Cilla WareRobert Thorogood14 January 20148.69

Richard Poole goes to a college reunion before being unexpectedly murdered. Meanwhile, Humphrey Goodman lands on the island to help the team cope with Poole's death and also to find out who killed Poole. Last appearance of Ben Miller as D.I. Richard Poole and first appearance of Kris Marshall as D.I. Humphrey Goodman.

Guest starring Helen Baxendale, Mark Bazeley, Tim Dutton and Sophie Thompson
18"The Wrong Man"Cilla WareDaisy Coulam21 January 20148.46

A killer murders the wrong person on a film set, the intended target needs to be identified before the killer strikes again.

Guest starring Peter Bankole, Peter Davison, Michelle Ryan, Phoebe Thomas, Rhys Thomas and Hannah Tointon
19"An Artistic Murder"Dusan LazarevicPaul Logue28 January 20148.04

A local gigolo is murdered during a gathering of the social elite of Saint Marie. Fidel has to investigate the death of his old school friend.

Guest starring Steven Cole, Tristan Gemmill, Vinette Robinson, Adrian Scarborough, Josette Simon and Sharon Small
20"Ye of Little Faith"Dusan LazarevicIan Kershaw4 February 20148.45

An air stewardess is poisoned in her hotel bedroom. Her fellow pilots and cabin crew are the chief suspects.

Guest starring Sophie Colquhoun, Kathryn Drysdale, Felicite Du Jeu, Chris Geere, Raza Jaffrey and Daniel Lapaine
21"Political Suicide"Robert QuinnRobert Thorogood11 February 20148.84

The scandal ridden Saint-Marie Commerce Minister is discovered dead, and Camille’s long-lost father is implicated in the case.

Guest starring Eriq Ebouaney, Haydn Gwynne, James Musgrave, Clarke Peters, Simon Shepherd and Nina Toussaint-White
22"The Early Bird"Robert QuinnJC Wilsher & Simon Winstone18 February 20148.27

A bird-watcher is murdered in the Saint Marie jungle, with all of the suspects having an alibi.

Guest starring Samuel Anderson, Paul Barber, William Beck, Mark Heap, Richard Huw, Hannah John-Kamen, Lisa Kay and Ciaran McMenamin
23"The Man With the Golden Gun"Richard SignyJack Lothian25 February 20148.40

While investigating a murder at a privately owned island, a change in the weather traps the team on the island with the killer.

Guest starring Jimmy Akingbola, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Joseph Marcell, Chris Obi and Caroline Proust
24"Rue Morgue"Richard SignyRobert Thorogood4 March 20148.52

An apparent suicide at a retirement home, soon becomes a murder hunt. Fidel Best is offered a new promotion and Goodman's estranged wife arrives on the island hoping to reconcile. Last appearance of Gary Carr as Fidel Best.

Guest starring Morven Christie, Joanna David, Phil Davis, Michele Dotrice, Kate Fahy, Phillip Jackson, Sarah Niles and Rupert Vansittart

Series 4 (2015)

On 28 February 2014, BBC confirmed that Death in Paradise will return for a fourth series. The series began filming in May 2014, and began airing on 8 January 2015.

# Episode Director Writer Original air date UK Viewers
(in millions; sourced from BARB)
25"Stab in the Dark"Richard SignyRobert Thorogood8 January 20158.92

The owner of a rum distillery is murdered during a seance, stabbed in the back, while all five of the participants are holding hands to summon the ghost of a dead woman. With Sergeant Best transferred to St Lucia, Commissioner Patterson decides to make up the numbers to assist Goodman until Best's replacement arrives. First appearance of Joséphine Jobert as Florence Cassel.

Guest starring Sharon D. Clarke, Don Gilet, Natalie Gumede, Cornell S. John, Royce Pierreson and James Wilby
26"Hidden Secrets"Richard SignySimon Winstone15 January 20158.51

When the owner of a failing surf school is found shot dead, in the chest at close range, in a locked room; the only suspects are his wife, his best friend, and the three pupils staying at the school. When a recently taken out life policy is discovered, suicide seems the only possibility until the relationships of the suspects are taken into account.

Guest starring Hetti Bywater, Simon Day, Joel Fry, Claire Goose, Dean Lennox Kelly, Will Mellor and Paul Sculfor
27"Damned If You Do..."David O'NeillTom Higgins22 January 20158.45

Humphrey receives a phone call from the President of the Saint Marie Heritage Society that someone is trying to kill him. An hour later he is dead and the other members are all suffering from food poisoning, from Water Hemlock, after eating a stew based on a 15th century recipe. An autopsy reveals the President has died from a high concentration of Water Hemlock than the other members despite eating the same amount of food. Humphrey suspects one of the society members; and the president's journal is missing. Humphrey's attempt to express his feelings for Camille goes wrong and he is shocked when she tells him of a job offer from the Paris police.

Guest starring David Bamber, Katarina Cas, Georges Corraface, Tyger Drew-Honey, Adrian Lukis and Amanda Root
28"Until Death Do You Part"David O'NeillRebecca Wojciechowski29 January 20158.69

A bride-to-be is found drowned in her hotel bath on the last night of her hen party. Humphrey suspects she knew her murderer; one of her three bride-maids who all have alibis from the hotel CCTV. The only clues are salt crystals around the bath and a wine bottle cork on the floor. Humphrey, after much soul searching and realizing her ambitious nature, signs the papers allowing Camille to leave for a new job in Paris. Last appearance of Sara Martins as D.S. Camille Bordey.

Guest starring William Ash, Ali Bastian, Rosie Cavaliero, Susannah Fielding, Amy Nuttall and Leo Starr.
29"Swimming in Murder"Paul MurphyIan Kershaw5 February 20158.47

The lead singer of a recently reformed rock band is electrocuted in the swimming pool of the recording studio and home of the record producer. The three other members of the band, the record producer and band manager all have reasons to kill him but were all in the studio at the time of death and Humphrey's only clue is a dead Click Beetle, by the pool, that is non-native to Saint Marie.

First appearance of Tobi Bakare as Officer J. P. Hooper.

Guest starring Steve Evets, Trevor Laird, Francis Magee, Nick Moran, Neil Morrissey and Sally Phillips
30"The Perfect Murder"Paul MurphyMark Brotherhood12 February 20158.38

When one of the finalists in an inter-island volleyball tournament is found dead in the back of a jeep stabbed in the heart holding a mobile phone Humphrey suspects her fellow player, her two opponents and their respective coaches. The suspects all have perfect alibis being 6km from where the body was found and the investigation leads to match fixing and a corrupt politician; a bitter rival of the Commissioners.

Guest starring Joe Absolom, Geff Francis, Lashana Lynch, Colin McFarlane, Rochelle Neil, Holly Quin-Ankrah and Dominique Tipper.
31"She Was Murdered Twice"Richard SignyDana Fainaru19 February 20159.10[lower-alpha 1]

A company boss is shot in her bed after bringing her staff to Saint Marie for a team building exercise. Humphrey suspects one of her staff and when one confesses to shooting her the case seems closed until the post mortem reveals she was suffocated three hours earlier. The only clues are sticky tape in padded envelope locked in a safe, a bottle of whisky and an empty glass and a victim with no fingerprints.

Guest starring Michelle Collins, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Gary Lewis, Matthew Lewis, Jason Merrells and Kaye Wragg.
32"Unlike Father, Unlike Son"Richard SignyMatthew Barry26 February 20158.31

In the cells of Saint Marie court house, murder suspect Jack Harmer, awaiting trial, is shot dead by a killer that would have to pass through three locked doors and past Dwayne and JP. Eliminating suspects to an initial three and then a fourth but not how the murder was committed and what happened to the murder weapon; until Humphrey remembers ants coming through a window into the cell that leads to the solving of two murders. Humphrey's father comes to the island to convince him to come back home to England for his ex-wife, Sally, but watching his son solve the case realizes he is happy for him to remain in Saint Marie.

Guest starring Brian Bovell, Charlie Creed-Miles, Shaun Dingwall, James Fox, Honeysuckle Weeks and Leo Wringer.

Series 5 (2016)

In late February 2015, the BBC confirmed a fifth series had been commissioned, to air in 2016.[14]

Notes

  1. This episode was moved from the normal transmission time of 9pm to 8.25pm. This was due to the two Eastenders 30th anniversary episodes that evening which were placed before and after this episode of Death in Paradise, and it received a ratings boost as a result.[13]

References

  1. "Death in Paradise series three confirmed". Radio Times. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  2. Cole, Tom (9 April 2013). "Ben Miller to be replaced by Kris Marshall on Death in Paradise". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  3. "Call the Midwife, Death in Paradise renewed for new series by BBC One". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  4. https://www.facebook.com/BBCOne/photos/a.500946183259138.112990.470911516262605/906288566058229/?type=1
  5. "Death in Paradise - Series 1 DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Ben Miller, Sara Martins: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  6. "Death in Paradise: Season 1 DVD - shopPBS.org". shopPBS.org. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  7. "Death in Paradise - Series 2 DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Ben Miller, Sara Martins, Danny John-Jules, Gary Carr, Elizabeth Bourgine, Don Warrington, Tim Key, Robert Thorogood: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  8. "Death in Paradise: Season 2 DVD - shopPBS.org". shopPBS.org. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Weekly Viewing Summary (see relevant week)". BARB. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  10. Brown, David (13 December 2012). "Death in Paradise series two - date and timeslot confirmed". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  11. "Series Two Episode One: Murder on the Plantation (no spoilers)". Facebook. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  12. "Death In Paradise Series 3 start date confirmed". Cult Box. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  13. "Death in Paradise passes 7m for BBC One on EastEnders anniversary night". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  14. https://www.facebook.com/BBCOne/photos/a.500946183259138.112990.470911516262605/906288566058229/?type=1