Death In Paradise confirms show’s FIRST ever lead female detective

Death In Paradise’s brand new spin-off series will feature the franchise’s first ever lead female detective the BBC have confirmed. 

Return to Paradise will be set in sun-soaked Australia and follow DI Mackenzie Clarke, played by Anna Samson, as she attempts solves a whole host of mysterious murders.

Following time spent working for London’s Metropolitan Police she is accused of tampering with evidence which forces her to return to her hated home down under.

British born Australian actress Anna has previously starred in Home And Away and HBO’s Leftovers. 

She will now follow in the footsteps of the show’s former detectives Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon and the recently departed Ralph Little.

According to the broadcaster the six-part series will have a ‘distinct Australian flair’ while still paying homage to original series and will debut on  BBC1 and iPlayer later this year.

This marks the franchise’s second spin-off after Kris Marshall’s DI Humphrey Goodman left sun-soaked Saint Marie for a new life in Devon in Beyond Paradise .

The new series’ offical synopsis reads:  ‘Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke, an Australian ex-pat who’s made a name for herself in London’s Metropolitan Police for cracking uncrackable murder cases’. 

‘When she is accused of tampering with evidence, Mackenzie returns to Australia, back to the last place she ever wanted to be – her hometown of Dolphin Cove. Having fled the town six years ago, infamously leaving her ex- fiancée Glenn (Tai Hara) at the altar, Mackenzie is not welcome there’.

‘But with no other job options, and a unique talent for solving a mystery, no matter how challenging, a reluctant Mack joins the team at Dolphin Cove Police Station’.

‘Once a case lands on her desk, she can’t rest until she’s figured it out, and the killer is in handcuffs. It’s that tenacity and work ethic that might just, over time, help Mackenzie win over her new colleagues, and the people of Dolphin Cove’.

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, said: ‘Everything we all love about Death in Paradise – the humour, the beautiful scenery, the likeable characters, the ingenious plots – now in a fabulous Australian setting’. 

‘I cannot wait for BBC viewers to be introduced to Detective Mack and the good (and not so good!) folk of Dolphin Cove. What a treat we have in store!’ 

It comes after Ralf Little revealed the real reason he decided to leave Death in Paradise after his character DI Neville Parker said farewell to the island of Saint Marie at the end of last month – leaving viewers in tears.

His departure came as a shock to fans, with the BBC only confirming Ralf had left the show after the finale aired. 

And speaking about his exit on BBC Breakfast last week, the actor, 44, admitted he had always planned for this series to be his last and felt he had to walk away for the sake of his character. 

He told hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt: ‘You know, this last series was always going to be my last series. I spoke to the BBC and Red Planet, the production company, and we all agreed.’

Ralf admitted: ‘If it was just a heart decision I would have wanted to do it for 20 more years.

‘But just for the show and for my character Neville it just sort of felt like his story was finished and his journey deserved to be completed. 

‘He deserved a happy ending and it just felt right. 

Speaking about getting the part in the first place he said: ‘As an actor you’re used to going ‘Oh well didn’t get that one. Oh great I got that one,’ and you try not to get to excited or disappointed as a way to keep your sanity. 

‘But when I got that one there was some celebrations for sure. I mean who doesn’t want to work in the Caribbean on one of the most beloved shows that I was a fan of before I went on it.’ 

After Ralf’s final episode aired on March 25, the star took to Instagram as he told his fans it was an ‘absolute privilege’ to play Neville.