THE future of a Death in Paradise spin off show has been revealed – following a cliffhanger ending.
Return to Paradise launched last year and follows socially awkward Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson).
Aussie-born Mackenzie returned Down Under to solve baffling murder cases – while pining to be back in the UK.
Viewers will be thrilled to learn filming for the second series is currently underway in Australia.
It comes as series one ended on a cliffhanger – with Mackenzie overhearing her ex-fiancé Glenn (Tai Hara) saying he still loves her.
The new episodes will also feature an iconic returning guest star from Death in Paradise.
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Ardal O’Hanlon will be back as Jack Mooney – having previously reprised the role in series one of Return to Paradise.
The Father Ted star was the lead on Death in Paradise from 2017 to 2020 – before handing over to Ralf Little as Neville Parker.
Other returning cast members include Lloyd Griffith as Detective Senior Constable Colin Cartwright, as well as Tai Hara as Glenn Strong.
Also coming back are Catherine McClements, Celia Ireland, Andrea Demetriades and Aaron McGrath.
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Guest stars for the new instalment are Danielle Cormack, Meyne Wyatt, Roz Hammond, Justine Clarke, Michelle Lim Davidson, Greg Stone, Zoe Carides, Simon Lyndon, Miah Madden and You Am I singer Tim Rogers.
Tim Key, Executive Producer, Red Planet Pictures said: “We were delighted that the world took Mack and the rest of the Australian team to their hearts and it’s a pleasure to be back on the beat with the wonderful cast and crew Down Under.
“We can promise another series full of ingenious murders, romantic complications and glorious Australian locations, all infused with the unique warmth and humour of the Paradise shows.”
Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisitions added: “More than five million UK viewers took the trip to Dolphin Cove last year, and I’m so pleased that we will soon be heading back Down Under to join Mack and the team for six fiendishly clever and wonderfully entertaining new cases.”
The show launched in Australia during September 2024 and arrived in the UK that November.
Previously, series star Anna acknowledged the format shake-up – compared to other Paradise shows – of Mackenzie being a female lead detective.
She said: “I think the viewers and the fans of the franchise, I think we trust them.
“I think they’re totally ready for a female detective. I really trust that the audience are going to embrace, certainly, a lead female detective.
“I think we have to trust our audiences to move with the times and to come along on the journey with us, because the DNA of the show hasn’t changed, you know.
Timeline of Death In Paradise Detectives
Death In Paradise started in 2011 and has welcomed four detectives so far to the island.
These are all of the actors who have played the lead detective in the hit BBC series so far:
Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole – Actor Ben played the first ever detective from seasons 1 to 2, and then returned as a guest star in the third and tenth series.
Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman. Next up My Family star took on the role for three years from series 3 to 6.
Ardal O’Hanlon as DI Jack Mooney. Father Ted star Ardal was a fan favourite and was the detective for three seasons from series 6 to 9.
Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker. The actor started in 2019 and is the longest-running star to have the detective role. He was on the show for four seasons from 9 to 13.
“The spirit of the original is still very much in the bones.
“And also, I think kindness is in the DNA and the bones of the Para-verse. And Peter Mattessi is an incredibly kind showrunner, so that’s infectious.
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“And I think kindness without inclusivity is pointless.”
Return to Paradise series one is available to watch on iPlayer.
