Kris Marshall’s famed investigator Humphrey Goodman returns in the BBC’s Death in Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise, swapping the balmy Caribbean heat for Devon – and fans may recognise another old face.
Kris departed Death in Paradise in 2017 when his character travelled to London to proclaim his love for his girlfriend, Martha.
But we never found out what occurred next…
We now see the couple as they migrate to Shipton Abbott near the Devonshire coast, where Humphrey, a quirky yet talented copper, joins the local police department.
Cue bizarre incidents like a corpse in a crop circle and an arsonist who enjoys nursery rhymes.
Montserrat Lombard, Rufus Jones, a slew of former EastEnders stalwarts – Davood Ghadami, Phil Daniels, and Annette Badland – and Hi-de-Hi! actress Ruth Madoc, in her final performance before her death in December last year – all make appearances throughout the season.
But who will star in the new series?
Let’s find out who you’ll be watching.
Kris Marshall
Kris reprises his role as DI Humphrey Goodman, the affable, bumbling yet intelligent detective who solved many cases in the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie. He’s now crammed into his mother-in-spare law’s room.
‘Everywhere he goes, he leaves a sort of small tidal wave of crazy behind him, and he’s causing that tidal wave to ripple through Shipton Abbott,’ Kris explains.
‘There aren’t as many fatalities in Beyond Paradise. Further kidnappings, livestock rustling, art thefts, and frightening apparitions… It’s still paradise, just a different type of heaven. We’re keeping our positive attitude.’
Kris is most remembered for his appearances as Nick Harper in the BBC sitcom My Family and condom-laden Colin Frissell in Love Actually, in addition to playing DI Goodman for four seasons of Death in Paradise.
Sally Bretton
Saly returns as Humphrey’s overthinking companion, Martha, who is regarded as the ‘yin to his yang’. After Martha’s father dies, the pair decides to return to her home town of Devon, where they live in the spare room of her mother’s house.
‘Martha is always attempting to maintain a few boundaries, which her mother typically just goes right through,’ adds Sally. —- –
She goes on to say that viewers do not need to have seen Death in Paradise to enjoy Beyond Paradise.
‘Humphrey hasn’t started work at the local police station yet and Martha doesn’t have premises for this restaurant dream of hers. Will they have the finances? You’re right at the beginning of the journey with them.’
Apart from Martha, Sally is most recognised for her role as Lee Mack’s long-suffering lover Lucy Adams in Not Going Out. She also appeared on The Office as Donna.
Zahra Ahmadi
DD Esther Williams, a single mom who had a kid when she was 17, is played by Zahra Ahmadi. She is intelligent and professional, and she has swiftly advanced through the ranks of the police department.
‘When she initially meets Humphrey, he looks to be a bit of a bumbling idiot, but as the series develops, her view of him improves and she realises that he is a superb investigator,’ she says.
Esther’s connection with the rest of the crew is described as “somewhat dysfunctional, but very amazing” by Zahra.
Zahra portrayed EastEnders’ Shabnam Masood from 2007 to 2008 before the part was recast in 2014, and she has also acted in crime series The Bay and Marcella.
Dylan Llewellyn
Dylan Llewellyn portrays new character PC Kelby Hartford is a “local kid” who grew up in Shipton Abbott, a close-knit hamlet where everyone knows everyone. He understands it implies a lot of crooks are apprehended.
‘He is an adorable, kind-hearted “Jack the boy,” and everyone considers him a younger brother.’
Dylan is best known for his role as English schoolboy James Maguire in the Channel 4 comedy Derry Girls, and he also starred in Hollyoaks in 2011-12 as Martin ‘Jono’ Johnson.
‘I’m finally playing an adult!’ It’s been interesting and different from portraying an awkward teen or a university student. He has a nice heart, which is comparable to my previous parts, and I enjoy playing people like him.’
Felicity Montague
Margo Martins, played by Felicity Montague, is the office support worker who keeps everyone on Beyond Paradise in line.
And Humphrey does not impress her right away!
‘I enjoy it when I get into a fight with Kris Marshall’s character Humphrey,’ Felicity admits. ‘I find them really delightful. His expressions are mesmerising.
‘On the surface, Margo is harsh on everyone, and she doesn’t want to reveal anything about herself. I believe she lives for them beneath it all. It’s heartbreaking since she doesn’t have a large family home life.’
Followers of Alan Partridge will recognise Felicity as Lynn, his patient PA. She has also starred in Brassic and The Durrells on Sky One.
Barbara Flynn
Barbara Flynn is cast as Anne Lloyd, Humphrey’s interfering mother-in-law. ‘Anne is at sea right now in her life down in Shipton Abbott with her husband and Mottie (Martha) growing up,’ Barbara remarks.
‘Anne’s connection with Humphrey is not as clear sailing as, ‘Oh, my goodness me, this man is in love with my daughter, I’m going to open my gate’. She finds him perplexing and incredibly… tall!’
The seasoned actress has performed in a variety of dramas, including Cracker, Cranford, and The Durrells. She also appears as a separate character in an episode of Death in Paradise in 2020.
Beyond Paradise starts on BBC1 tonight at 8pm.
Source My Celebrity Life.