Death in Paradise Christmas special 2024: everything we know

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The festive episode sees Don Gilet's first murder case as Detective Inspector Mervin WiIson

Don Gilet as Detective Inspector Mervin WiIson in the Death in Paradise Christmas special 2024
(Image credit: BBC)

The Death in Paradise Christmas special 2024 is extra exciting as it will be our first chance to see the new detective.

Yes, following Ralf Little's departure as DI Neville Parker at the end of the latest series, Don Gilet was announced as his replacement.

And Don's first case as Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson will feature in the Christmas special before he's seen in Death in Paradise season 14. Here's everything we know so far…

Death in Paradise Christmas special 2024 release date

The Death in Paradise Christmas special 2024 will likely air on Boxing Day on BBC One. This hasn’t been confirmed but Boxing Day is the normal slot the show has over the Christmas TV period. It will head to BritBox in the US.

Death in Paradise Christmas special 2024 plot

The feature-length case sees Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson arrive on Saint Marie and he's not impressed! Quite why he isn't impressed isn't explained. Is he a Richard Poole (Ben Miller) type, who's unimpressed by the way the team operates? Or is he a Neville type, who has lots of allergies and finds everything a bit too much? We will find out! At the moment the BBC hasn't released many details. 

Don Gilet said of joining the show: "Being offered the new lead role in Death in Paradise feels like a deeply loved and incredibly precious jewel has been placed in my hands. This is a big show, with a big heart and the love continually grows for it. It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated. Even during those testing times when every sinew is screaming at me to run off the set and dive into the sea, swimming pool or an ice-cold beer — whichever happens to be closer at the time!"

Death in Paradise cast

Inside the police station, Officer Dwayne Myers (Danny John-Jules) stands next to the Commissioner (Don Warrington), who is holding up a newspaper showing the headline 'British Woman Charged With Murder'

Officer Dwayne Myers (Danny John-Jules) and The Commissioner (Don Warrington) will welcome the new boy (Image credit: BBC / Red Planet Pictures)

Joining Don Gilet are regulars Don Warrington (who plays The Commissioner), Shantol Jackson (Naomi), Ginny Holder (Darlene), Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine) and Danny John-Jules (Dwayne). But Joséphine Jobert has made it clear that she won’t be back as Florence. We've yet to have any guest stars announced.

Is there a trailer?

No, not yet.

David Hollingsworth
David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!