By Fatma Younis
Don Warrington is set to reprise his role as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in the upcoming season of the BBC detective series "Death in Paradise," two years after his character's announced departure.
Exit storyline and viewer confusion
In 2024, the show revealed that Patterson would leave the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie due to a family crisis. Warrington made a brief appearance in the subsequent series, prompting speculation that his exit had been a ruse. The actor later clarified that the departure was purely a storyline decision by producers, with no intention to mislead audiences.
Return confirmed by cast photo
Co-star Élizabeth Bourgine inadvertently confirmed Warrington's return when she shared an image of the full cast celebrating the wrap of production for the new season. Warrington expressed appreciation for the audience's attachment to his character, noting it was "rather nice to be liked."
Series evolution and new lead
The forthcoming season will feature Don Gilet as Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, the fifth lead detective since the series premiered in 2011. Warrington recently praised the show for featuring two Black leads, telling Radio Times that the series has "taken giant steps in giving a different picture of the world" by presenting people of colour in unclichéd roles. The new season is expected to air in January following a Christmas special.
