The cast of Death In Paradise made a surprise appearance in its spin-off show Beyond Paradise with Kris Marshall’s character DI Humphrey Goodman meeting one of his successors, DI Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little.
Friday’s finale of the new BBC drama saw Humphrey battle against difficulties in his relationship with Martha, played by Sally Bretton, to solve the case of a burglary before reuniting with some familiar faces from the original series.
During the first series of Beyond Paradise, viewers have witnessed Humphrey and Martha’s relationship become increasingly strained as the couple struggled to conceive despite both longing for children, before the couple reunited on the fictional island of Saint Marie in the series finale episode.
In a message left on the answering machine at Martha’s mother’s house, a conflicted Humphrey could be heard saying: “I just wanted to say, I’m off really, thought I’d go clear my head a bit so bye.”
He added: “But also, I’ve been thinking about what you said, a lot, about you thinking you’re not enough for me, I don’t want you to think that, that you’re not enough.
“Because how could someone like you not be enough.
“And I know you think not being able to have children would leave a hole in my life, and I’m not going to pretend that’s not true, but it would leave a teeny weeny little hole.
“Whereas, not having you would leave a hole I don’t think I could bear.
“One I could never fill. So I know you think you’re doing me a favour, but you’re not, you’re really not.
“And I’m sorry but if you love someone then you stay with them, and whatever life throws at you you face it together.
“And it’s not that things wouldn’t hurt, because they would, but we would hurt together and not on our own. I just wanted to say that. And I love you. Bye.”
Marshall, who starred in three series of Death In Paradise between 2014 and 2017, was replaced as the detective inspector in the show by Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, who then saw The Royle Family’s Little take over the role.
In Beyond Paradise, Martha discovers Humphrey was headed for Saint Marie after he booked his hotel room on her credit card and she swiftly followed him to the Caribbean island, where she asked if he meant what he had said in the answerphone message.
During the emotional exchange Humphrey replied: “You’re all the family I need, I swear, there’s isn’t a me without a you.”
Shortly after the pair sealed their reunion with a kiss, Death In Paradise character Catherine Bordey, played by Elizabeth Bourgine, made a surprise appearance.
She went on to introduce the couple to the rest of the Saint Marie detective team, including DS Naomi Thomas, played by Shantol Jackson and officer Marlon Pryce, played by Tahj Miles.
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC drama, said: “I’m beyond excited to return to Shipton Abbott for both a Christmas special and second series of Beyond Paradise.
“The response from BBC viewers to series one has been a joy to see, and like its millions of fans I’m intrigued to find out what new mysteries lie in store for Humphrey, Martha and the team.”
All episodes of Beyond Paradise are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
